~ Piglet
Maybe it’s because I have a three year old at home. Maybe it’s
because I am a big kid myself and refuse to grow up. Whatever the case, I
always seem to find meaning and purpose when Ethan and I are sitting on the
couch watching cartoons.
Thanks to Netflix, Comcast OnDemand, and a host of other
“instant access” technologies, I am trying to introduce the boy to some of the
classic cartoons I grew up with. I want him to see cartoons that have actual
morals and life lessons, unlike the stuff that is on now. We watch the original
Mickey Mouse, Tom & Jerry (his mother’s favorite), Looney Toons and even
Winnie the Pooh.
Ethan seems to like Winnie the Pooh.
The stories of Winnie the Pooh have been shared by
generations for years. Since 1924 when the lovable Pooh Bear was first
introduced to the world by writer A. A. Milne, stories of the ragtag gang of
friends from the Hundred Acre Wood have been captivating the hearts and
imaginations of Millions.
Milne wrote the stories for his son, the actual Christopher RobinMilne. He wrote them based on an actual bear in the London Zoo, Winnipeg, that
his son loved to visit. The characters of Piglet,
Eeyore, Tigger and Roo were based on the boy’s actual stuffed animals; a pig, a
donkey (with no tail), a tiger, and a baby kangaroo.
I am sure you are wondering how this all relates
to business and our community. Well, in addition to the life lessons that
permeate through the stories, there is a very real lesson we could all learn
from the mistakes of author A. A. Milne and his son Christopher Robin.
I have written to you about having passion in
what you do and about making an impact on the lives of others. Passion is only
effective if it doesn't affect the PURPOSE of your passion. A. A. Milne wanted
to create something for his young son. He wanted to be the hero in his son’s
eye. (Very much the way many of us parents do).
The mistake
Milne made was that Christopher Robin never wanted the stories published. As a
young boy Christopher Robin was made fun of at school because the other
children thought the stories were factually true about him playing make believe
with the stuffed animals.
In addition, Milne was so involved with the
writing of the stories that he neglected to spend time with his son. The boy’s
childhood was gone before his father realized it. His purpose for doing a good
thing for his son was overshadowed by his passion for doing them. His gift,
while blessing millions and generations of families, tore apart the only family
Milne cared about.
I am a firm believer that you must have a passion
for what you do. But you also must not lose focus of your purpose. If your
passion and your purpose are not aligned, you may be doing more harm than good.
I sincerely hope you find your passion and I
truly hope you find your purpose. Whatever you decide to do, whether it is
spending time with your family, giving back to your community through service or
growing your business through leadership; I hope your purpose and passion
always remain in sight. I know your community will benefit because of it.
Larkin
These are some of my
favorite Winnie the Pooh Quotes
“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long,
difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about
lunch?"”
“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together… there is
something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger
than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is,
even if we're apart… I’ll always be with you.”
“If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day,
so I never have to live without you.”
“When late morning rolls around and you're feeling a bit out
of sorts, don't worry; you're probably just a little eleven o'clockish.”
"Well," said Pooh, "what I like best --
" and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a
very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which
was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called”
“Just because an animal is large, it doesn't mean he doesn't
want kindness; however big Tigger seems to be, remember that he wants as much
kindness as Roo.”
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