Minion Magic

The deal was simple: If the kids ran their hearts out, a special guest would arrive.

The guessing began, kids and coaches alike calling out their guesses of who it might be.

Well, the Running Medicine kids did indeed run their fastest and bestest over the next hour.

I made a few hand signals to summon the guest.

He struggled even to make it into the park, as there were some gates that were a bit narrow for his contours.

But, at last, he squeezed through.

What ensued was magical.

My son, dressed as a minion, was hugged and tugged by screaming little ones over the next 30 minutes.

It was as close to pure joy as I have experienced it in my life.

Close your eyes and picture the scene, letting some of those shrieks and shouts of the little ones to permeate. Allow this energy to wash over you like a gentle waterfall.

As we left the park, with me serving as the minion’s escort, a new group of children came up and asked if they could hug the minion. One by one, they took their turn.

“Okay, the minion has to go now,” I said.

My son, not wanting to disappoint them, pointed out that he couldn’t just take the costume off in the parking lot. So, we helped him into the back hatch of our SUV (again, made difficult by his girth) and closed the door. He could finally deflate the costume.

Glancing at the spot where we had left that last group of kids, I saw that they had not taken their eyes off us in the five minutes since we had said goodbye.

Again, take a moment here to picture this scene. Beautiful little ones waiting in anticipation that the minion might make one more appearance. And as you take in that scene, focus more on how it makes you feel to see those children lined up along the curb.

As we drove home, I asked my son to reflect on what an incredible feeling it is to be in a moment where you able to give joy to others. I wanted to hear about his experience from within the minion suit. Being a teenager, he focused a bit more on being punched and manhandled. Understandable.

Here, I invite you think about that feeling in a moment where you are giving joy to others. No minion outfit needed, but if you want to pretend you were the one in the inflatable costume, go for it. You might also think back to the most recent time you have had this experience. Soak it in, bringing back all of the emotion and sensation from that moment.

We can’t all be minions today.

But we do have this beautiful superpower – the ability to elicit joy in others.

Go forth and find ways to unleash that power.