One of the Melbourne Age newspaper's great contributors is Martin Flanagan. I met him some years ago because his daughter and my daughter were in the same grade at Sacre Coeur Girls School in Glen Iris, Melbourne.
In the Age newspaper of 18 August 2007, Martin wrote of Muhammad Ali and his daughter who was currently in Melbourne, Rasheda. Martin said Ali is often described as'the most famous person on the planet'.
Why is this so? Flanagan, amongst a number of points, quotes Ali: "Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill."
I love this: the link between passion and vision. Passion drives the will, and the vision is created by the passion.
My focus over the past 14 years as an educator, professional speaker, business philosopher and coach has been on passion, and its powerful impacts on those who access it.
My definition of passion is this: "Passion is a source of unlimited energy from your soul, or spirit, or heart, that enables you to produce extraordinary results."
Muhammad Ali had passion and a vision.
Martin Flanagan's writing is so impactful because he is passionate about it.
I challenge you, the reader, to discover your passion, to nurture it, to rekindle it, and to access the amazing energy that is just waiting there for you.

Labels: Charles, sporting icon, vision