Quote
“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into
giving.” Mother Teresa
News
David Beckham, ‘the world’s most marketable footballer’ has
announced that he has signed a five month contract for the top French club
Paris St Germain (PSG), and will donate his whole salary to a children’s
charity in Paris.
Critics have dismissed it saying it’s a media stunt, and
that given his age (37) and fitness he doesn’t have much to offer the club on
the field – only off it. But this news reveals
something about the importance of relationships to Beckham.
Firstly he wants his wife Victoria and their children to
settle back in London again, and Paris is a commutable distance away. Then in joining PSG he is being reunited with
two friends and former colleagues from AC Milan, manager Carlo Ancelotti and
director Leonardo Araujo, with whom he has a warm relationship.
Indeed his relational skills may represent the main value he
brings to the Paris team. Sports
journalist Matt Spiro writes that Beckham's professionalism, experience and
ability will set a clear example on the training ground to younger players, and
help the disparate set of individuals work better as a team.
Finally the decision to give away his entire football salary
– perhaps £3 million – to a local children’s charity has won applause from many
quarters. The fact that he doesn’t need
the money (he and his wife have an estimated wealth of £165 million) is beside
the point.
What the highly visible celebrity’s unusual gesture says to
the neediest kids in Paris is that their plight has not gone unnoticed, they have
been seen and actually matter to this sporting superhero, who wants them to
have a better chance in life. Would
those children be entirely wrong to think that David Beckham is perhaps really playing
for them?
Read on...
Thinking relationally can change the way we look at
strangers – whether those are kids from rough inner city neighbourhoods or
executives going to work in the financial district. Read the chapter ‘Strangers’ in the R Option
by Michael Schluter and David Lee here.
Walk the talk
Next week take a moment each day to consider some of the
people you normally take no notice of – in your neighbourhood, on your way to
work or when out shopping. Start to
think about what you might have in common with them, and see if they become
more ‘visible’ by the end of the week.
The last word
From the Bible, Matthew chapter 6, verse 21: “Where your
treasure is there your heart will be also.”
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