My wife and I recently returned from a trip to Minnesota that featured a stop in Darwin, MN – home of the world’s largest ball of twine (rolled by one man). I love that kind of stuff… though my wife was slightly less enthusiastic. 
One thing that struck me about the ball of twine was the dedication of its crafter, Francis Johnson. Over the course of 29 years, Johnson created the 17,400 pound ball. This was clearly a labor of love that culminated, well after Johnson’s death in 1989, in a tourist attraction that rejuvenated the economy of Darwin, Minnesota. I doubt if this result was uppermost in the mind of Francis Johnson when he began his incredible undertaking, but his dedication nevertheless resulted in a huge boon to the small midwestern town that he called home.
The success secret that I gleaned from my visit to the world’s largest ball of twine is simply this: do what you love. Unfortunately, Francis probably died without realizing what his quest would eventually mean to his community. He didn’t live to appreciate the fame and fortune that would derive from his fantastic undertaking. However, I have to believe that his efforts produced their own reward for him. No one invests twenty-nine years of their life in a seemingly fruitless undertaking unless they enjoy it.
Not every labor of love will result in a tourist attraction that draws visitors from every state in the US (as, believe it or not, the twine ball does). However, even if our labors of love never achieve this level of recognition, we will nevertheless experience a great deal more personal satisfaction as a result of pursuing them.
My takeaway from my visit to the world’s largest ball of twine is that I need to discover my own passion – and pursue it with the same vigor that Francis Johnson exhibited. If success does not result in my own lifetime… so be it. At least I will have lived a life worthy of mention in the company of a true original – Francis Johnson.
Thank you for the inspiration, Francis!
Until next time… Still seeking success,
Mike
