This is the true joy in life, being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one: being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. ~George Bernard Shaw
This reminds me of a film, The Mighty. The two main characters are marginialised boys. One of them, Kevin, has a heart too big for his body. His condition is terminal. His father he describes as a “magician” who vanished when he heard the words “ birth defect.” The other, eleven year old Max, a timid boy in a giant’s body, lives with the memory of his father killing his mother; and the threat of being kidnapped by that same man, now an escaped convict.
Kevin, drawing Max into his fantasy world of King Arthur and his knights, leads the two of them into dangerous territory when he chooses to rescue a “damsal in distress”. Kevin has courage. Max has physical strength. In a moving ceremony Kevin, brandishing a sword, re-baptises them The Mighty. Together these boys take on dangers which would frighten the fearless, and forge a friendship which embodies selfless love.
Kevin has every reason to complain. He doesn’t though, because he is driven by what he perceives as a mighty purpose. His heart is captured by a story. He sees no reason not to be a knight; not to defend the defenceless. On his own Max would have remained a victim of bullies. With Kevin he becomes a hero.
I wonder how our world would change if each of us were to be used for a purpose we recognize as mighty; if we were all to be forces of nature instead of selfish clods of grievances ?
Mighty does not necessarily mean slaying dragons, or saving the world. For me, it means standing in my own authority; not being afraid of what others will say or think; making the best contribution I can in any given situation; serving something larger than myself; collaborating with others to achieve the best result; demonstrating fierce compassion; evoking and nurturing potential in people …
What is the purpose you recognize as mighty? What is the story upon which you can draw for the courage to live an abundant life? Imagine that life – draw; write; collage; dance; speak it aloud; create a vision; set goals; decide on strategies; take action – and watch the dream take shape.
” I want to say, all my life I was a bridegroom married to amazement; I was the bridegroom taking the world into my arms.” Mary Oliver
Re-posted by Juliette Gyure
