I want to be great. I want to do great things. I want to be known in the streets and to be recognized for my awesome accomplishments. I want fame and fortune. I want everyone to know who I am when I walk in the door. I want people to know (or think) that I am richer than they are.
I want to change the world and be recognized for doing so.
I want my name in lights. I want to do the talk show circuit. I want to be friends with Jay-Z and Beyonce. I want my face on billboards, my name all over Mashable.com and the President to invite me to the white house for dinner. I want Dave Matthews type status.
I don't care how this happens. Through music, acting, a random act of virallity. By chance or hard work. I want it all and I want it right now.
But then I think...what would happen if this happened? Would I act any differently and if so, how and why?
It makes me think: I am well known in the streets. I have a great reputation and when I'm recognized it's not out of fear or resentment, it's with pleasure and acceptance. People know who I am when I walk through the door in my small little world. Whether it's the coffee shop or the local car mechanics, they know me and know I pay my bill respectively and am a nice person regardless of how much money is in my bank account or where I live.
To some people I am a celebrity. The fact that I am friends with a few "famous" people gives me that sense of awe to a younger generation. Almost just enough to handle. I don't quite know what I would do with any more "fame". Some people think of me as a famous Los Angeles photographer and that's pretty rad. I should enjoy the fact that I can go out in public and enjoy my privacy.
I can and am changing the world around me. I don't need worldwide fame to help those around me. I'm already surrounded by so much need and opportunity to be awesome to others. My children's school is not beneath me to be a strong and driving force of positivity. My community and clients deserve this attention I'm trying to put into changing the entire world. My family deserves my unconditional love that I can so freely give to them. Even if it's not recognized on as grand scale, if I treat someone, anyone, everyone! like gold, with respect and equality then I've done what I can do as an individual to be great.
I guess what I'm saying is I need to refocus my wants and desires and remind myself that I can be a celebrity to my kids. I can be a philanthropist of my time to my community. I can have my name in lights as my name is in good standing with all those around me.
Do I want my gravestone to say "Famous Millionaire" or "Great Person To All"?
I have the tools necessary to change the world right now. As I continually strive to better myself I am changing the world around me. Jimmy Fallon may never invite me to play a silly game on his talk show but my kids will know for damn sure that their dad loves them. Oprah Winfrey may never have me to her estate for tea but my wife will feel unconditional love for our entire lifelong marriage. Africa may never receive a million dollar donation from me, but my girls' schools will receive my time and an unrelentless effort to better the education mine and other children will recieve.
I will continue to produce great art, but like most artist, probably won't be recognized until I'm dead. And I'm learning to be cool with that.
I'm still learning. Always learning.
I am pretty great.
