I recently read one of his riffs of what one will do when something becomes that important, that significant in one’s existence that one is prepared to go to extreme lengths to provide a remedy, should that be lost! This, I mean that… the ‘something’… was a very special piece of Godin family Art, purchased many years earlier out of the boot of a car, in the fashionable environs of Soho, in New York City.

This piece of Art had proved the test of time until the moment it would drop from their wall… SMASH and SHATTER on the floor, breaking into a thousand pieces… Gone! I am sure we can picture the scene… NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO… as time goes all slow-mo. While this may be on the more trivial than the truly tragic, we all face moments when our ideal picture on a given reality is shattered before our eyes, leaving us to pick up the pieces.

And just so you know, No, I did not marry an axe-murderer! While that may be too close to home for some of you, I can sense that I have drawn you in with this little Art account, therefore, let me continue, answering the question as to what a Seth Godin is now supposed to do?

When an object has worth in our living, those thus afflicted are prepared to pay the price of pursuit, the price of acquisition, and the price of restoration, to re-obtain their heart’s desire. In the Godin’s context, this ‘relic’ from their past could not be forgotten nor forsaken, which is another way of saying that the Godin’s began a search for the artist of this piece, even going to the greater length of offering money to the one who could end this searching, by tracking him down.

When this proved fruitful, the Godin’s were able to encourage this now defunct artist to commission one more piece on their behalf, filling the shattered void this piece had left. In time, this piece would arrive at their home. Once viewed and as time will envelope this experience, this new piece of Art would prove to be even more significant than the original, purchased some fifteen years earlier.

Why so? Because what was once believed to be lost, was now, in many respects found anew, thereby making the experience of this piece of Art, much more significant, meaningful, and memorable.

As that warm glow begins to descend to the floor, let me remind you that this is a Rugby blog! Okay then, why the blue blazes am I describing this account to you?

Let me continue… some more… The reason why, is that this example proves to be illustrative… Art Resembling Life, even!

There is a something rewarding and challenging as we think about how our actions flow out of, and relate to, what we are most passionate about, and on those things we place genuine worth on… and in this context, in our support of our All Blacks!

Godin’s living example declares that when an object has legitimate significance, humanity is prepared to go to unusual lengths to see paradise regained and desire fulfilled.

Every four years, All Black supporters have yearned for their heart’s desire, and every four years post-1987, a multitude of supporters have gone to unusual personal and emotional lengths to see this desire fulfilled. Yet, with each subsequent tournament, it is as if our piece of Art has fallen off the wall, shattering to the floor, marking the path for our following hopes and dreams.

However, just as the pain of losing this piece of Art did not result in Godin and his wife giving up on this reality in their future existence, each successive World Cup should not discourage, but encourage those who bleed black to pursue this dream with an ever-increasing resolution.

BACKINGBLACK is this greater resolution! We believe we can do something pivotal in getting our men in black over the line, and because we find worth in this proposal, we are calling all to join this new movement, as a final piece in our search for World Cup glory.

Just as Seth Godin was not prepared to allow each setback to thwart his determination to reach his goal, each World Cup failure is not an indication to fall back, give up, or downgrade our goal. However, it is an encouragement and a call to search out new perspectives, new horizons, new tactics, and press on with even greater intensity, with BACKINGBLACK our answer for 2011.

The Worth of this Prize should be Reflected in our Effort! This should underscore why we want this new movement to go MASSIVE!

In my next post, I am going to outline some goals, perspectives, and horizons for this movement, therefore, time to synchronise watches, as this will be a must-read for all members!

Onward and Upward – 2011

Until Next Time

iamjonnyking