Who They Think You Are

Listen to "Who They Think You Are" on Spreaker. The conversation parents need to have with their kids. The moments when those huge protective arms and wings won't be there to protect the child's dreams and vision. To have the courage to share with someone assumed close, "Who you think I am. I am not." Say that five times. Who you think I am. I am not. We are shaped by what others think we are. Nobody saw you struggling to wake up this morning. Nobody saw you quickly try to hide the jelly stain on your shirt. Nobody sees what you put into your career, the hours, the battles with always hearing no and the constantly leaning on invisible walls that somehow still motivate you to show up on time. Nobody sees it. Yet you're judged by what they think you are. The power of the social media plays into this. So many people stop to view your thoughts and pictures. The image of what they think has been developed. When they treat you as such then you have to live up to it. Changing your walk because in this moment of now you're inside a circle of acceptance. Who you think I am. I am not. People look at what I do in radio as being that really fun job, "Man you get to see free movies, eat at restaurants free, talk with famous people and you have a really cool dog!" Where are they at 3:45 am when my eyes pop open to take on the new set of hours demanding attention? It's no different than a movie theater GM. Yeah, free movies, popcorn and whatever else might be available. Sadly it's only half price for the food. Sadly you have to worry about the self declared blockbusters that actually fizzled out and is still playing in a house of 272 seats. Maybe three people might come in. What about the employees that chose to stay home putting more stress on a very limited staff? What you think I am. I am not. Have the conversation. Be open with the experience. Does anyone ever say thank you to the police officer standing in the bitter cold directing cars as they come out of a huge mega church? Offer more than a wave and smile. I was at the public library yesterday. It looked like the employees were sitting around goofing. What I didn't see was the enormous amount of books that were probably put back on the shelves and this was a tiny break from the action. Who you think I am. I am not.