If You Think Oprah Is Always “On”, Look Again
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012
Okay, maybe your heroine isn’t Oprah, maybe its Ellen DeGeneres or Michelle Obama or even someone famous in history, like Harriet Tubman or Indira Gandhi. But no matter how inspired someone may appear to us, they too have both their moments in the sun and those in the dark of the moon…those moments where they’re not representing themselves in their best light.
I had one of those moments a few days ago and had trouble at first seeing myself as part of the problem. I was frustrated with a couple of associates and found myself wanting to back out of our relationship. My expectations and feelings of being personally affronted overwhelmed any compassion for them.
I was sharing this with a mutual friend who fortunately set me straight. I thought how those I was disappointed in were simply not ”on” at this time and while they may have personal growth lessons to learn, it’s my lesson to accept them and appreciate them now as they are. I was having an “off” period when I held fast to them having to show up a certain way and not allowing them room to be themselves or make mistakes, be peculiar, or just different than me and how I’d do something.
The next time you’re being tough on yourself or others, keep in mind we all have unique strengths, gifts and qualities that can’t be compared to anyone elses, even those we hold to a high ideal. True, sometimes relationships that aren’t healthy or helping us grow have to be ended. But more often than not, it’s about acceptance of each other and facing the reality that we all have ”on” and “off” times, so we should temper our ideals and let the natural light shine through.



It seems fitting in this time of celebrating our country’s independence and our collective efforts in maintaining those freedoms, that we should stop to look at what our efforts have provided us in our own career and personal development. As I encourage my clients to pause and reflect on what projects, programs, products, new careers or businesses, new partnerships or working staff, along with the personal achievements they launched and faithfully pursued to ultimate or ongoing success?I encourage YOU to do the same and celebrate yourself.










