You’re Always Onstage

By Janelle on August 16th, 2007 |

Celebrity Sighting at the Airport

I was waiting at the Admiral’s Club in NYC at LaGuardia International Airport to catch a flight home recently when a distinctive voice from across the room caught my attention. For the next few seconds, I observed a striking man wearing a casual warm-up suit, talking to a woman who was assisting him. Immediately I recognized him. It was Seal.

Seal is a British soul singer and songwriter who won three Grammy Awards for his 1995 single, “Kiss from a Rose“. Of course, none of this came to me while I was staring at him. I was struggling to remember if he was in a movie I had recently seen. Later, when I looked him up on the internet, I was chagrined to realize that he had written and sung some of my favorite songs.

Here’s what impressed me about Seal. First, he was so happy. I couldn’t help but smile, listening to him talk and laugh. For a split second I felt as though I was a part of his world because of the spillover of his happiness from across the room.

Second, he was so polite to the woman attending him. We could all take “manner lessons” from Seal. He made the woman feel appreciated with his kind words.

We really are all onstage, even when we think no one is looking.

You Are the Message

Roger Ailes is CEO of Fox News Channel and former media consultant for Rudy Giuliani during his first mayoral campaign in 1989, George Bush, Ronald Reagan, and thousands of business and entertainment leaders.

In his book, You Are the Message, he tells the story of how he was called in by the White House to coach President Ronald Reagan, who at age 73, was giving his second presidential debate with Walter Mondale. The first debate was rather disastrous for President Reagan, as he uncomfortably fumbled his way through the media barrage of questions, forgetting some important facts.

After spending some time with Reagan, Roger gave him some simple advice, “Mr. President, you are the message. You didn’t get elected on details. You got elected on themes. Every time a question is asked, relate it to one of your themes.”

While he practiced his answers, every time Reagan started to stumble, Roger would say, “What do your instincts tell you about this?” and he would get back on track.

The debate unfolded and sure enough, the question that everyone dreaded came, about Reagan’s age.

Then Reagan gave his classic line, “I want you to know that I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent’s youth and inexperience.” With at-ease body language, he delivered his comment with a twinkle in his eye and impeccable timing.

That ended the debate with a smashing victory for President Reagan.

You’re Always Onstage

Changes happen in your life when you or a loved one face breast cancer. You may find yourself in uncomfortable situations and unsure of yourself. Keep this in mind. You are the message.

Everything about you reveals who you are—your words, your mannerisms, your facial expressions, your body language. That’s why you don’t have to be perfect to be loved. You are you, in all of your uniqueness, your personality, your mindset.

Thought for Today:

Be yourself, especially in your dark times, and see how your vulnerability and true self draw people to you.

Live Life,

Janelle