BUMP THE LAMP

100 – DECEMBER 2011
THINK ABOUT IT



The movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit has a particular scene in which Roger Rabbit runs across a room that is lit by a hanging lamp. The production question arose as to whether or not Roger should bump the lamp as he sped from one side to the other.
One thought was that, at multiple frames per second, it would cause incredibly difficult light and shadow change for the artists AND that it would not make any difference to the story line NOR to the viewer.
The other thought was simply … “We are Disney – Bump the Lamp.”
Since then, “Bump the Lamp” has become a bit of a slogan and reminds the entire Disney staff that they should always go the extra and never cut corners.

It’s a great lesson and one that we use in our studio business. We create the nuances and labor the unnoticeables. We “go the extra mile” for each client and although they may not realize all of the things that we do - they will sense a difference of service and quality in the finished portrait. Our aim is to bump the lamp.

So, now I’m thinking, “How does ‘bump the lamp’ apply to non-business relationships”?

Mt 14:18-20 “Bring them here,” he said. 19 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. 20 They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers.

Jesus fed the 5,000 and had fishes and loaves left over. This is an example of lavish love. He could have miracled the amount fishes and loaves to the very last drop, but He did not. He could have figured it precisely so He could get the heck out of there and move on to His next “thing-to-do”. But He did not. He provided more than necessary.
He might have done this because He knew that this mob really liked “leftovers” … but I don’t think so. I think He was showing us a principle about love. Love lavishly! Love without measure! That’s what He did … ultimately and to the max.

Jn 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

Now, most of us will not have to go that far … but we could easily bump the lamp a bit. Add some bonus to our love. Some luxury to our kindness! Optional extras to our caring! Maybe add a product stamp to our bottle of servant hood;
“Me - New and improved”! Or, “Me - Now with 20% More Enthusiasm!”

‘Tis the Christmas season and you probably have a bunch of things to do. Slow down! Take a deep breath and smile real big. Spread a whole bunch of hope and cheer and other good stuff… especially to those you think might not deserve it.
Bump your love lamp! Someone out there is waiting just for you.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!