One Page Wonder 148 (World Cup 2) We live in a world of total commercialism where all manner of things are thrust in front of us in the hope that we may indulge. Some we take an interest in, whereas many pass obliviously by, like ships in the night. With The World Cup juggernaut rolling into week 2, I felt it appropriate to comment on one very special advertisement, selling nothing more than the strength of the human spirit and courage. This is what makes it very different and quite remarkable. Huge corporations spend a small (sometimes large) fortune on getting the biggest and best add to the masses, and normally a major sports fashion company win hands down. Not this time, because there is a simple commercial from Banco de Chile (The Bank of Chile) that stirs the emotion mercilessly and serves as a great metaphor for life. It shows 32 miners standing shoulder to shoulder on top of a mine in the Atacama Desert in Chile. Not just any mine, but the mine that swallowed them for 69 days in 2010, entombed 2300 feet under the ground. Out front delivering a message is Super Mario Mario Sepuleda who became the public face of the miners. Even though the message is in Spanish, the emotion of the delivery stirs inside you, and can only inspire you. As they fill up metal containers with the soil from the top of the mine, the battle cry is delivered as one Nothing is impossible for a Chilean. The soil is to be delivered over the teams training ground in Brazil with a message To fill it up with hope and courage and show the world that nothing is impossible for a Chilean. What they proved is that you can beat the odds because they overcome death itself. It was vision that beamed around the world which captured us all because it was a tale of unbelievable determination and will. In that it is a message to us all, because we all at times face situations that challenge us. How we push on through, or concede is what defines us. Our lives in actual fact full of defining moments, how we react is what matters. These 33 miners survived because they chose to have hope and belief and not to give up and had great leaders amongst them. Look for leaders around you when you need them. So the message from the Chilean miners, though it is dedicated to their team, and in turn the people of their country, is indeed one to all of the world, about perseverance. No matter what challenges life throws at us, if we continue to seek a way out, as the miners did, anything is possible. When we think situations are too difficult, as many often do, then that is how it will be perceived, because that is the story that we will tell ourselves. Have you ever wondered why some people just seem to have bad luck over and over again, and when you come into contact with them, that is all they talk about. I could be wrong but I believe it is a self fulfilling prophecy and what you look for is what you get. What would have happened if the Chilean miners had told themselves that they had no hope. Do you think that they would have lasted 69 days deep underground? I doubt it. Mario said that when trapped he told himself There are always harder things in life and you can conquer them, as long as you believe you can. It is an unbelievable lesson in resilience, hope and positive thinking. Without the situation the world would never have witnessed their amazing commercial, though, in reality it is more like a spine tingling message to the planet. Find the time to watch the link, all 1 minute and 13 seconds of it, and though it wont change your life, it will be an inspirational start to your day. Enjoy its power and enjoy The World Cup. Have a great week Rodney Tattam 22nd June 2014 https://youtube/watch?v=tmLmWiqSVS8
Posted on: Sat, 21 Jun 2014 21:51:27 +0000