Bolt for Time Person of the Year

It’s that time of year again – Time to choose the  “Time Person of the Year”.  This is the person or group of persons who, for better or for worse, have had the most impact on the world.  There are the usual obvious choices this year of President Obama, Steve Jobs, Bernanke, Timothy Geithner.  But there there is also that bolt of lightning, the amazing sprint athlete Usain Bolt.  Why Bolt?  Well, there is his prodigious talent, the likes of which the world has never seen, and which cynics doubt is unenhanced.  But that alone is not usually enough to engage the world.  What’s really wonderful about Bolt is his unbounded joy and laughter as he plies his craft!  No serious, contorted face here.  Just the steely determination to win and the bursting into joy and celebration as he crosses (and sometimes before he crosses) the finish line, glancing at the clock to confirm yet again, another world record.

Kahlil Gibran said “Work is love made visible”.  This is what Usain Bolt expresses when he runs.  Love made visible.  Suppose we were each to approach our work as if it is love made visible.  How would we behave?  How would we feel?  What would happen?  Perhaps people would respond to us the way the world responds to Bolt.  Perhaps we may feel as joyous and happy as he clearly does.  Perhaps we may achieve success that surpasses our imagination.  Well, you may say, that’s all very well and good if you love your job.  But suppose you hate it.  Approach it with love anyway.  Say to yourself “If I loved my job, how would I work to make love visible”?  For if you hate your job, there are two aspects – the hate and you.  And you can change.  And always remember that when you change, everything changes.

“Nothing is too great for you to accomplish if it hurts no-one and brings happiness and good into your life” – Ernest Holmes.  What greatness will you accomplish today as you approach your work as if it is love made visible?