I spent my rainy Saturday morning watching two old movies: Frida and Billy Elliot. One is a biographical drama of famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, the other a fictional drama of the 11-year-old son of a British coal miner who wants to practice ballet instead of boxing.
Both Frida and Billy had to face seemingly overwhelming obstacles to follow their calling. Frida experienced a lifetime of physical pain and disability caused by a childhood bus accident, lived a controversial lifestyle, and spent 25 years in a tumultuous marriage. Billy was marginalized by his community and was initially forbidden to dance by his father, who wanted him to box.
Neither the artist nor the dancer stopped. They were not discouraged by lack of public acceptance or resources, or concerned with whether they could carve a living out of their gift. They answered the call, the drive, to work at what they loved.
“…[it is an] organism, a living entity, with an animus all its own. It exerts a centrifugal force on our lives, continually pushing out from within. It drives us toward authenticity and aliveness, against the tyranny of fear and inertia and occasionally reason, and it is metered by the knocking in our hearts that signals the hour. If we are at all faithful to our calls, to the driving force of soul in our lives, it will lead us to a point of decision. Here we must decide whether to say yes or no, now or later, ready or not. And it will keep coming back until we give it an answer.”
Biographical or fiction, I am inspired by people who persevere in the face of no support and follow the call to contribute their gifts. I am inspired by leaders who say yes to their passion, whether immediately or eventually.
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