Scene from the Lord of the Rings
Life has changed dramatically since the uninvited intruder, COVID 19, burst on the scene. Its dizzying, to say the least!
I don’t know about you, but over the last two months, I’ve watched more movies than I care to count. At my daughter’s request, we recently watched the Lord of the Rings trilogy – yes, all 12 hours! It is a series our family has enjoyed over the years, and watching it again reminded me of important life lessons.
The story opens in a tranquil village. Here we first meet Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee, among others. Little did they know that powerful forces were poised to upend their peaceful lives. Nor could they have guessed the desperate role they would be asked to play, in obscurity, to save civilization.
(Spoiler alert) Frodo is asked to destroy “the ring,” sought after by those who wanted to use its power to control the world. It requires making a treacherous journey; leaving everything he holds dear. Not only does Frodo agree to take on this quest, Samwise insisted on accompanying him. As they traveled, on foot, tired, hungry, and scared, Samwise laments, “We shouldn't be here at all, if we'd known more about it before we started.”
How often have I said something similar. What have I gotten myself into?
He then adds a very astute observation,
But I suppose it's often that way. The brave things in the old tales and songs, Mr. Frodo: adventures, as I used to call them. I used to think that they were things the wonderful folk of the stories went out and looked for…because they were exciting and life was a bit dull, a kind of sport….But that's not the way of it with the tales that really mattered….Folk seem to have been just landed in them, usually – their paths were laid that way, as you put it. But I expect they had lots of chances, like us, of turning back, only they didn't.
We may not be fighting dark wizards and orcs, but like Frodo and Samwise, living through the COVID 19 outbreak and quarantine, we have fallen into a story we certainly didn’t choose. Life is now different for all. Some have fallen ill to this “silent enemy,” some have lost loved ones, many have lost their jobs and wonder how they will make ends meet.
Like Frodo and Samwise, there are countless decisions we make every day on this journey. Do we give into our fears and withdraw? Or do we rise to the occasion, employing innovation and integrity?
As our society reopens, I am hopeful that this reflection and resolve continues. For the last 20 years, I have had the privilege of working with clients, as they navigate transitions in their life journeys. Together we focus on their past success stories and use them as signposts to help them write their next chapter of a tale that really matters.
Looking forward to sharing more next week.