I am setting aside my planned reflection on manifesting abundance to share a thought or two on the passing of NBC political analyst and Meet the Press Host, Tim Russert. Tim died unexpectedly Friday of a heart attack. What followed was news coverage that is usually reserved for heads of state. The Today Show dedicated its entire first two hours to it. Tom Brockaw broke into regular programming to report his death, then hosted an hour-long special that night. The outpouring of grief and loss, along with respect and admiration and LOVE for this man was beyond description. He wasn't a past president. He wasn't prince. He wasn't even a world or national leader in the traditional sense. He was something much more important: someone we wanted to be.
It seems to me that Tim Russert "got" this strengths stuff and lived it every day of his life. He saw the simple beauty in his father, who always worked two full-time jobs as a sanitation work. He treated every guest with respect and saw what was right and strong about each, even as he demanded that they be accountable for their actions. And he discovered his own strengths, then focused his energy on growing them to become the best Tim Russert he could be. The result was in indefatigable energy, passion, joy and a zest for life that touched us all. We could see it, feel it, experience it. We wanted to be near it. We wanted whatever they were putting in his drink!
How can we honor this remarkable life? We can do the same. Discover our strengths and live them, so will fill the world with energy, passion, joy and a sense of awe that touches everyone around us. It's contagious. It is how we change the world.
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Comments on this entry
All I can say is that Tim Russert’s strengths were felt by all and that, in itself, was his strength. He made you smile. His respect for others made you respect him and the honor he showed human beings made you want to honor others. He saw the good in the world even as a reporter, which is utterly amazing. He walked the walk and we all benefited from the way he lived his life. One human being can make a difference and I agree with you, Chris, Tim did. We can honor his life by remembering to live our own strengths even in the worst of times with a smile and by treating others with dignity.
Thank you for your words about Tim Russert. I also had a working class Dad (he had dropped ot of school in 8th grade to shelp support his family). I found it so wonderful that a man of Tim’s “celebrity status” was always so very proud of his father’s working class roots. It really is not the situation we are in that matters but rather what we make out of the situation we are in. Thank you again for commenting on a man who truly was a “hero” and role model.