Power of place and community is often an under-rated value in today's globalized world. But Lebron James, in the prime of his career and already one of the top seven basketball players ever, made a surprising move recently and wrote this:
Before anyone ever cared where I would play basketball, I was a kid from Northeast Ohio. It's where I walked. It's where I ran. It's where I cried. It's where I bled. It holds a special place in my heart. People there have seen me grow up. I sometimes feel like I'm their son. Their passion can be overwhelming. But it drives me. I want to give them hope when I can. I want to inspire them when I can. My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn't realize that four years ago. I do now...
But this is not about the roster or the organization. I feel my calling here goes above basketball. I have a responsibility to lead, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. My presence can make a difference in Miami, but I think it can mean more where I'm from. I want kids in Northeast Ohio, like the hundreds of Akron third-graders I sponsor through my foundation, to realize that there's no better place to grow up. Maybe some of them will come home after college and start a family or open a business. That would make me smile. Our community, which has struggled so much, needs all the talent it can get. In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have. I'm ready to accept the challenge. I'm coming home.
Posted by Neil Patel on Jul 14, 2014
On Jul 16, 2014 Deven P-Shah wrote:
Thank you for writing this.
I was touched by La Bron's article to Sports Illustrated as well. Another part of it that resonated with me as well was La Bron's response/reflection in reference to animosity that was brewed with Cavaliers owner from his decision 4 years ago to move to Miami... and that reflection is... "Who am I to keep the grudge?" How nice to see a professional athlete who is arguably the best basketball player in the world, to have an inner journey of introspection, meditation and connecting with that message from inside and following it. Letting go can be so hard because of ego. He did it. Probably his deep roots in the community also helped him with this as well.
-Deven
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