GiveLoveLiveMore

Today, I saw a YouTube short captioned “There are two types of people when it comes to the Jumbotron.” The video contrasts the difference in reaction between Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Goldblum. DiCaprio doesn’t know he’s on the Jumbotron, staring down at his phone the entire time, while Goldblum astonishingly realizes he’s on the big screen and begins to engage with camera and ultimately the crowd. He even shapes a heart sign with his hands and the crowd seems to “aww” in unison. It was a pretty awesome sight to see.

But that’s not what I caught my attention the most. A person commented, “Jeff is the person who’s so thankful to be at the party. He doesn’t know that he IS the party.” And that’s when it hit me: I instantly identified with this sentiment. So much so that I immediately sent my wife a message. It said, “This is a feeling I haven’t been able to shake. This is how I feel.”

But why? Why do I feel this way? I have no answer.

People around me know that they are the life of the party. In fact, they can care less about other people and a party altogether. Sometimes, I wish I were more like them. But me? I’m normally just happy to be there; happy to be invited. Happy to be in the room. Grateful that someone thought enough of me to send me an invite. Is it because I’m humble? Grateful? Is it because I may not think more of myself? Maybe a combination of all three. I possess those things, but I’m just not so sure that only those attributes are the cause of these thoughts. There’s more, I’m sure, that has yet to be revealed.

When I think about someone who is the life of the party, I think of someone who’s congratulated for making it to the party. They talk to everyone, shaking hands, accepting drinks and smiling at everyone. Although they are the center of attention, TLOP still has time to make every single person feel like they’re the only one in the room.

Wait. Wait a minute. Maybe the way I am is similar. The ability to make anyone who I come into contact with feel special is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Greeting any and everyone is something I do pretty much everyday (what can I say? I’m a man who was born & raised in the south). I tend to work a room quietly, methodically, not all at once, shaking hands and giving dap (where applicable).

I didn’t expect that plot twist, at all. Hahaha! Life has a way of making me laugh.

Until next time,

Love & Peace

-Herbie