Authentic Swing
In the movie 'The Legend of Bagger Vance', Captain Randolph Junah's new caddy, Bagger Vance, entices him to play the game of golf like he's never played it before. He helps him find his authentic swing - a swing of the club that only Junah would have.
"A man's grip on the club is like his grip on the world", says Bagger to a young Junah fan. And before your eyes unfolds a beautiful and inspiring story of self-discovery, of facing one's demons and of overcoming adversity. A broken man begins to believe in himself again and starts to live 'in the zone' - that perfect place where everything becomes one, where passion, talent and purpose harmonise like a grand orchestra. He finds his unique rhythm and he wins the tournament. Spectator fans shout and scream for joy! And I feel so inspired.
Why do we resonate so much with inspiring stories like these? What do we yearn for? Can it be that we also hunger for that authentic swing? That perfect grip on life when we know that we know? Where we have come to understand what we've been called to do and what we are good at? A place where we can inspire others to follow in our footsteps and polish the rough diamond that is you and me?
Bagger Vance takes the golf club and he swings a perfect shot. Junah muses: "So you are a golfer." "No", says Bagger, "I don't play golf". You see, Bagger also understood his part to play. He was designed to be the Coach, not the golfer. He could play golf, but his own rhythm was in coaching others to find themselves.
What rages within you like a burning inferno? What potential and talent and purpose do you have that know one else has?
Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you alive and go do it. What the world needs are people who have come alive with a burning passion for what they know and believe they are truly good at! Will you be that person?