by Rory O’Kane
February 7, 1812 – June 9, 1870. The details are in the ‘dash’ between the dates.
Those dates are just the bookends to a life lived. A beginning and an end…..And no, the dates have nothing to do with the Cubs this time.
Charles Dickens was born Feb. 7, 1812 and died June 9, 1870.
During the holidays, we all think about him and his most famous work. Unavoidably on nearly every channel during the holiday season, there is some adaptation of his classic novella, ‘A Christmas Carol’. Mickey Mouse plays Bob Cratchit on the Disney channel, George C Scott is playing Ebenezer Scrooge on AMC, and On and Off Broadway productions across the country featuring past and future stars.
Most enduring, is the message that anyone can change, seek redemption and turn their life around. It’s never too late to leave a mark…
Born in Portsmouth, Charles was forced to leave school and work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors’ prison. Even without any formal education, he would become a prolific and successful writer. He wrote 15 novels, edited a weekly journal for over 20 years, and composed hundreds of short stories and 5 novellas. He was a lecturer and campaigned tirelessly on behalf of children’s rights, education and other social reforms.
After a short visit to Manchester in 1843, he developed the story about the poor, a repentant miser, and redemption, which would become his most famous work. At the time he published ‘A Christmas Carol’ on December 19, his career as a best-selling author was seriously waning and he felt he needed to produce something-profitable and hopefully popular to reinvigorate his career. And popular it remains, having never been out of print. It has been adapted many times to film, stage, opera and other media.
The story is timeless and touches upon themes even encountered today; poverty, social injustice, forgiveness, and redemption. Most enduring, is the message that anyone can change, seek redemption and turn their life around. It’s never too late to leave a mark… in our industry, at your firm, and with your family. Make your world a better place because you were in it.
All the best for you and yours in 2016.
Just remember the details are in your ‘dash’. Make it good.