(Estimated reading time 3 minutes)

This past weekend I took a 12-hour trip to Middle Earth and Peter Jackson’s recreation of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. There is something about this story that grabs hold of me and won’t let go. There is a kind of summoning of potential that happens in many of the characters, a calling forth, that I find both captivating and inspiring.

Frodo, a homebody with a small, safe life, has a task set before him which is seemingly impossible even to those who are stronger, with more visible gifts and more experience than he. While he is reluctant at first, he agrees to take on the job and finds that he is the perfect one for this daunting task – perhaps the only one who can do it.

Strider, a ranger cloaked in secrecy and shadows, turns out to be hiding from his birthright and his duty, for fear that he will become like his father.  It is only when the fate of all things hangs in the balance, that he gets the spine-chilling charge to “Shed the ranger. Become who you were born to be.” The choice to embrace his purpose and destiny has far-reaching effects.

Many of the characters in this story hear the call, the summoning of potential, to make a difference. Although not without struggle, most respond by shedding their old stories – the desire to live a comfortable life, to keep out of trouble that is not their own, the fear about whether they will be enough, and the doubts about their capabilities. The inspiration lies in the unfolding of who they are becoming, the struggle of the process for each one and the impact of even their smallest actions.

I hear the echoes of my own story in Tolkien’s words – the whisper of a call to become more, to serve a higher purpose. I see the struggle that matches my own: to let go of fears and lies and old stories, to take up responsibility not only for who I am but for the part I can play, and the impact I can make through even the smallest of choices. I hear the words Gandalf speaks to Frodo as if they are spoken to me, “all we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

“I  wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo.
“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

―J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

On a personal note, I am thrilled to announce that I will be one of the speakers at the International Women’s Day Event to held at FireRock on March 8, 2019. I will post a link here for tickets once they become available. This event is for both men and women. There will be no cost for the tickets as it is a government-sponsored event, but the venue has a capacity of 200 so you’ll want to make sure to get a ticket if you want to be there.

I work with women to awaken the courage to find their version of extraordinary and live it! I’d love to put my honours degree in social work and my expertise in coaching to work for you. Connect with me here.