Show Them The Way

Love is a burning thing
And it makes a fiery ring
Bound by wild desire
I fell into a ring of fire -song, “Ring Of Fire” by Johnny Cash

Ryan Bingham (played by George Clooney) : Your resume says you minored in French Culinary Arts. Most students work the frier at KFC. You bussed tables at Il Picatorre to support yourself. Then you got out of college and started working here. How much did they pay you to give up on your dreams?

Bob (played by J.K. Simmons) : Twenty seven thousand a year.

Ryan Bingham : At what point were you going to stop and go back to what made you happy?

Bob : That’s a good question. -scene from the film Up In The Air by Jason Reitman

For the parent, coach, teacher, producer, director, etc…anyone in any kind of leadership position…

You can’t ever force someone to care.

THEY must have that inner fire. That love. That burning desire. It must come from THEM. Not you. That’s a prerequisite. 

But if they have that love, that burning desire, then you can work with them and help them get to where they want to be.

One way to do so is to lead by your own personal example. Demonstrate what it means to really give a shit. Put your whole heart and soul into something. 

Some. Thing. Anything. Could be a passion project. Something you care about. Something you’ll sacrifice for. Something you’ll take consistent action towards, even when, and especially when, things aren’t going well. Something you’re not sure will work out. Something that scares you. Something you LOVE. (Some would say this is the definition of being a parent. It’s also the definition of making art.)

By doing so, they might see and think, “Ah, this is what it takes.” And then be inspired to go and do likewise. 

Even if it doesn’t inspire them though, you can hold your head high knowing that you didn’t just talk about it. You were about it. You showed them the way.

P.S. – This Scene.