We're all Roy Kent
Roy Kent, one of the most popular characters on the hit TV series, Ted Lasso, was a superstar soccer player. Soccer was his life. When he walked into the arena, he received a standing ovation. That’s all he ever did and all he wanted to do until age and an injury forced him into retirement.
Feeling trapped between his former identity and uncertain future, he wandered through a personal wilderness. One day, he gave a performance tip to a former teammate. Seeing the player benefit from his advice, he realized his calling in the second half of his life.
Returning to a stadium during a game, Coach Lasso greeted him with “Hello Coach” followed by his usual positive comments. Roy interrupted, exclaiming "Shut up. You had me at coach."
We all experience life transitions, whether through retirement, divorce, job loss, or illness. Some of these transitions are voluntary, while others are not. We can relate to Roy Kent, feeling lost when what once gave us meaning and purpose is no longer present. We may wander aimlessly, sometimes for the rest of our lives waiting for that lightning bolt to strike us with a new purpose as it did for Roy Kent. It doesn’t happen that way for most of us. We only see a momentary flash of lightning in the distance that gives us a hint about what we’re supposed to do with the rest of our life.
Get curious about that flash of lightning. It may be calling you to a new purpose in the next chapter of your life. When you hear that call, be prepared, like a trapeze artist, to let go of where you are and who you used to be, and hang there in mid-air trusting that your new purpose will catch you and carry you on to the next chapter of your life.