Who hasn’t heard of him? In my humble opinion the man was a genius. I haven’t the vaguest idea how he managed it, but his creativity and imagination were simply out of this world.
Millions of us have been enthralled by his movies. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was wonderful. The Jungle Book was legendary. Mary Poppins was magical. He even gave us Mickey Mouse!
Years after his death, his name lives on in theme parks hosting millions of visitors every year, in a television channel, in shops and in the latest crop of Disney executives carrying on the founder’s vision. Have you seen such gems as Aladdin, The Lion King and the real-life 101 Dalmatians ?
It is amazing what this man did. With Vision, imagination and drive he touched the world - literally. The scope of his achievements was immense and he had enough good sense to make sure that it wouldn’t all grind to a halt when he passed on. It didn’t. It lasted and Disney goes from strength to strength. So what do we learn from Walt Disney, Mickey Mouse and all that ?
Simply this - Vision. That was his secret. He died before Disneyworld was ever completed.
Someone once said to a close colleague. “It’s a pity Walt never saw it” “Ah,” replied the other “but he did! He could see it in his mind and in his heart if not in reality.” He had vision.
If one man by dedication and commitment can do so much for the entertainment industry, what can we not achieve for the kingdom of God ?
All it takes is a little bit of creative imagination and, of course vision. Thus did Solomon well say, “ Without a Vision the people perish”
Someone has once said, “Some people see things as they are and ask ‘Why?’. Others see things as they could be and ask ‘Why not?’” Why not indeed?
Vision. That was Disney’s secret. He could see it all. Let us dream big dreams and have high expectations. Let us commit ourselves to touch our wee world. Right where we are. If we are in Leadership let us, like Disney, share our vision with others. Let us train them so that they can take over us. Let us ensure the work carries on even when we are not around to carry on the work.
