359 – December 25
“Many times a day I realize how much my own life is built on the labors of my fellow men, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received.”—Albert Einstein
Isn’t it wonderful that there are people who do some things better than you? And have chosen careers in which they can perform these tasks so you don’t have to do them? Aren’t you glad?
I’m so happy that I have a car to drive—and I didn’t have to design it, build it, paint it, or fix it when it breaks. I don’t have to collect parts for the car either, or create/run an insurance company to cover myself for loss of the car. I didn’t design the highway system, or city streets, or traffic signals.
I’m delighted that some people run restaurants, so I can get gourmet cooking whenever I want it, without having to struggle alone in my kitchen. I love beautiful jewelry, meticulously crafted by other hands, and wool sweaters. I don’t want to dig out the raw ore from the mines or shear a sheep. I tried sewing a dress once, and trust me, it wasn’t pretty. My thanks to everyone who helps design/sew/sell/ship beautiful russet clothing for the titian-haired.
I love coffee—but don’t want to grow my own. I’m glad I can eat corn without shucking it myself, drink water without hauling it myself, and I don’t want to know where the sewer pipes go but I’m glad they’re there. I certainly couldn’t build a computer or tell you how the Internet works, but I use them every day.
Mel Gibson works to entertain me. (Now there’s a thought!) I’m glad that he and Kevin Costner, Antonio Bandaras, Harrison Ford, Russell Crowe and Gene Hackman chose to be actors so that I can watch them—they get my $8.50 every time. So do the glorious women like Susan Sarandon, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Signorney Weaver, Whoopi Goldberg, Juliette Binoche…I wish I had more room on this page! They have faces and feelings that draw me in to celluloid lives. Many people make beautiful music for me: Bon Jovi, Phil Collins, Whitney Houston, Bernadette Peters, Emmylou Harris, and the Dixie Chicks. All the comedians work to make me laugh and I do. I’m glad that Issac Asimov wrote science fiction, Richard Bach wrote Illusions, Herman Hesse wrote Siddhartha, and a group of sages wrote the Bible. Mitch Albom spent Tuesdays with Morrie and Shirley MacLaine went Out on a Limb for me. George Lucas and Stephen Spielberg take my imagination to thoughts, places, and worlds I have never been. All these people work for me. I grow, I learn, I am entertained.
Every day, so many people are serving me. In the business of my life, they’re my staff. I take this day to remember to be grateful to every one of them for this rich life I lead, full of fun and learning. Thank you!
And if you’re reading this, I’m on your staff.
Today’s Affirmation:
“I love and appreciate all the people of this rich world.”
It’s been about 16 years since I wrote this page (notice the lower price for movies). I remember when I got the idea for it – I was watching Cher on television. She was working it, looked fabulous, and her show was really fun. At one point in a dance number, I could see her sweat roll off her body.
And that’s when I thought – I’m her customer, her client. I pay the money to see her. She’s working for me. That’s a little different take on celebrities, eh? So I wrote this page from that place, and expanded it to include all the people seen and unseen, to whom I have delegated a lot of work that I would otherwise have to do myself.
During the time management section of my workshops, sometimes my clients complain that they have too much to do but they are afraid to delegate. They think that things won’t get done well enough if they turn them over to someone else. I tell them that they are Master Delegators and I can prove it.
There are moans of disbelief, but I just ask them, “Did you build the house you’re sitting in now? No? Did you make the clothes you’re wearing? How about your car? Do you service your car when it breaks down? Did you pipe the gas that it runs on? No?
See, you’re a Master Delegator, too.
In the intervening years, my staff has changed somewhat. Lots of new additions! I love the new Wonder Woman along with the rise of all wonderful women, Miranda Lambert, Amy Adams, J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter. Love Ellen, Jimmy Kimmel, and am a passionate fan of Hamilton and besotted with Lin-Manuel Miranda. Although Mel Gibson has lowered himself in my regard, I still love the old Mel, and hope that he reverts back to his kinder, gentler self soon. Or transforms himself into the person I thought he was…Jeff Bridges seems like my kind of guy, and Colin Firth, too. Don’t disappoint me, fellas! I need my celebrities charming and good.
When I go to the doctor, I let them know that I’m the client, I’m paying the bill, and they work for me. So we’ll do the things I want and believe in. I don’t do scale, and I don’t do any unwarranted testing, either. But when I’m sick, I want my medicine, thank you very much. I’m sure glad some people went through that rigorous med school training on my behalf.
Thanks so much, everyone! And a Very Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Happy Hanukkah, Kawanza, Ramadan, Winter Solstice, or whatever – celebrate today for the blessings all the people in your life bring to you!