Yesterday I flew back to DC after spending a glorious week in Los Angeles.
Fortunate to not only work with amazing clients, I have added blessing of traveling first class and staying at the best hotels.
I got to do a video shoot in the Presidential Suite with the two best video guys in the world Wesley and Daniel and spend an evening with my bestie Becky noshing on crab legs and seafood in Manhattan Beach.
Oh, and I was rear ended getting off the 405 freeway and walked away unscathed.
But, I have to come clean about the internal stuff that surfaced after I got off the flight.
When I travel, it isn’t uncommon for me to sit next to professional athletes, ESPN announcers, famous singers, or television actors.
Because I do not have a television, I usually don’t know who they are.
When I got off the plane yesterday, the guy in front of me was mobbed by young screaming girls and paparazzi.
And, I was annoyed.
Because I didn’t recognize him, I asked one of the photographers who he was – and he said an internet star who recently became the new face of Calvin Klein. So, I googled him.
One of the articles said that with social media he is one of the most followed men in the fashion industry.
As I was waiting for my luggage, he and his driver stood next to me at the baggage claim belt and I found myself staring at him.
There was this displeasure bubbling up inside of me – and I couldn’t figure out why was I feeling irritated.
Heck, I teach the world is made for those who stand out, not those who fit in – and here was a 21 year old kid who had done just that by turning his aspirations into possibilities and possibilities into realities.
I should have been happy for him in that moment.
I should have felt joy for his success.
But, I didn’t.
And, so for the past 24 hours I’ve had to check in with myself.
What I realized was my own limitations on what success should look like.
Cameron Dallas was blessed with a beautiful face and he made it work for him.
And, all of that stuff that I was feeling was about me – not him.
What made me think that he didn’t work hard, or that he didn’t get up early, or that the money he made from this success wouldn’t enable him to do important work in the world?!?
He was gracious and kind to everyone who asked to strike a pose with him — and the girls that werefawning all over him did not give him any space.
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I also heard his interview and his response to one of the questions was, “If my Mom is happy, I’m happy.” How many 21 year olds would say that?!?
I often talk about the importance of celebrating success.
If you fail to do so, you cannot be successful in your own right as there are no successful victims in the world.
So, my trip home provided me with a lesson well learned and another reminder of how important it is to help more and judge less.
Today, I celebrate Cameron Dallas and his new found fame. Thank you for the valuable leadership reminder.
As Samuel Johnson said,
“Your aspirations are your possibilities.”
Action Item:
The Upside Challenge of the week is to do something to celebrate another person’s success. Pick up the phone. Do a shout out on social media. Write an article. Practice the art of celebrating someone else’s talents, gifts and abilities.