Steve Nash’s decision to retire from basketball is a reminder that boomers like me also have a hard time letting go of our roles and responsibilities. The professional sports world is full of stories of athletes who stayed on past their prime or came back “one more time.” The social change world confronts the same beast. I’m working on my third attempt.
Unlike many athletes Nash, the greatest pro basketball player Canada has ever produced is leaving with grace and gratitude. His piece, Life After Basketball, is bouncing around the internet the same way Nash swirled around the basketball court.
His reflections illuminate the underlying patterns that produce successful, lasting change. Vision, rink rat-a-bility (the Canadian term for tenacity), hubris, humility, grit and of course a loving social network. Talent is almost incidental.
Nash’s love of the game shines through. His love of life is even more brilliant.
He’s confident there’s more to come – he’s just not sure where the patterns will lead him.
Life After Basketball offers good advice for learning to act your age.
Recognize you are dispensable.
Pay attention to the underlying patterns of the change you’ve experienced.
Wait.
Eh!
The moment of recognition happens as if by magic; and yet, when we reflect on it, we see – its very name tells us this – that it is impossible without prior experience.
– Jan Zwicky, The Wisdom of Metaphor.
Ah the moon’s too bright
The chain’s too tight
The beast won’t go to sleep.
– Leonard Cohen, I’m Your Man
To hear Leonard perform I’m Your Man click link below or here. Note: video picture may not be available with some subscriptions. See it in full at www.aletmanski.com
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