By Bert Zethof

Today I had the pleasure of attending a special convocation at the University of Victoria to confer an Honourary Doctor of Laws on Steve Nash.



Steve, who was raised in Victoria, is the two-time MVP of the Phoenix Suns NBA basketball team and philanthropist through his Steve Nash Foundation. He is deeply committed to enhancing the lives of children.

I remember watching Dr. J (Julius Erving) play in the NBA; now I can watch Dr. Nash play.

Steve gave the proceedings just the right tone of levity by wearing sneakers under his formal academic regalia. He also mentioned how UVic was influential in his career not because he studied there but because he spent many hours in the UVic gym practicing, including after hours when he would sneak in illegally.

I believe one of Steve's gifts is his way of tweaking conventional ways of thinking to enable higher performance and doing it in a way that is disarming and endearing so that he is able to bring others along on the journey. It is his way of bringing out the best in others.

In his remarks, Steve had a special message for the students, however, what he said applies to everyone, including the entrepreneurs in the Surge Group community.

Steve said it is easy for people to become caught up in the structures of society, culture, academics or whatever and lose sight of their passions. He said that following his passion has brought him happiness. He said it is important to set goals and pursue your dreams and not to forego your passions.

Such a simple yet profound message that is easy to lose sight of.