Thoughts on the passing of Chadwick Boseman.
Some of us share and process openly and outwardly what is happening with us, what we are going through. Others of us are much more private and may never share other than with those the closest to them.
While we may learn a lot from those who process outwardly, we may never know what is really happening for those who process more inwardly.
This weekend when I learned of the passing of Chadwick Boseman, along with so many millions of others, I also learned that for the past four years he had been suffering from colon cancer, undoubtedly knowing for quite some time that it would most likely be terminal.
He had kept this information very close throughout, so the shock at his passing is so strong.
At this moment, I am reminded of an adage I learned from coaching mentors, taught to encourage to listen more before forming a thought or opinion: “one more piece of information can change everything”. I will redouble my focus on, as Stephen Covey put it, “listening with the intent to understand, not to reply“.
Now, I share with you two videos which, with the “one more piece of information” around Chadwick Boseman, well, as they say: “I’m not crying, you’re crying”.
#WakandaForever
Chadwick Boseman breaking down as he talks about two boys with terminal cancer who were hanging on to watch Black Panther.
Now, here Black Panther fans filmed a video message sharing what the movie means to them – what they didn’t know was that Chadwick Boseman was right behind the curtain, waiting to surprise them. Watch to the end… watched it several times now.. tears to my eyes each time and the impact he had for these people.