The Best Me

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” ― Oscar Wilde

While I am not a big fan of impersonators, I have always appreciated the talent one uses to sound like another person. I cannot impersonate a specific person, nor can I imitate accents. In fact, all of my accents sound identical to the one before it. However, impersonating their voice and imitating them are two different things.  

Many people have role models. Some dress, talk, and act like them even to the point of reading the same books or eating the same breakfast. To some degree, this can be a good thing. Sometimes, it is not. 

Just because you follow the example of a successful businessperson, does not mean you will have the same results. The results may be better if you follow their example in some areas. However, is trying to succeed without being true to yourself you truly a success? 

I am a firm believer in being you. My goals and dreams are not dependent on what others are doing. They may have similar ideas, and I may be able to take some of the things that worked for them and apply them to my situation. Nonetheless, my background is not identical to their background. My thoughts and feelings are not always their thoughts and feelings. My values may be different from their values. Similar does not mean the same. There are always differences. 

We tend to do things how our instructors taught us. If I trust my teacher, why would I change? Maybe there is more than one way to accomplish the same thing. Maybe there is a more proficient way for me to accomplish the same goal. There always seems to be more ways to the same end. One path may be easier for you while another path is better for me. 

I believe we all have unique skills and talents. We should use the skills we have to fulfill whatever our purpose in life may be. We should refine those skills. We should practice those skills. We should even add to our skill set, if possible. "That is just who I am" should not be an excuse to fail or misbehave. 

Anyone who knows my youngest son and I know we both look and act incredibly similar. However, there are differences because we are not the same person. We do not need two of me walking on this planet. I need to be me, but I also need to be the best me that I can be. 

Imitating someone may be flattering to them but being the "best" you that you can be is what makes you special. 

Random Birthday Thoughts

This Thursday, November 10, I get to celebrate my fiftieth birthday. I love my birthdays. People will say I am getting older, but to me age does not matter. After all, it is only half a century. (If you made fifty before I did, I will probably call you old.”  I love this quote, “Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest.”

People fear birthdays especially the big ones. Age, however, is just a number. I know people much younger than me that are in much worse shape than me. I also know others much older than me that are in much better shape.  Sometimes my mind and my body are not in agreement with what I can do, but life continues and I make adjustments.

I was celebrating my third birthday on the day Sesame Street had their debut. I loved growing up watching the adventures of Grover, Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. Now I get to watch my G-Baby enjoy watching Elmo.

It is nice to have some things remain the same. It is also nice to have some things change. 

Since I was born, many inventions have helped us live differently if not better. The ATM helped me many times when needing cash after hours.  Cell phones make it easier to keep in touch. GPS tries to get me to the right location. The internet has granted us access to more information than we ever thought possible. Some of it is reliable. Fax machines, DVDs, and MRIs, video game, and even Post-It-Notes, have changed our way of life. I have learned that things can be fun or important, but people are more important. Let us get our priorities in proper perspective.

I have seen friends come, and I have seen friends go. I have seen people change for the better and some for the worse. Keep in touch with your friends and make new ones. I have had friends in their seventies and now have friends in their early twenties. Do not let age be a barrier to who you have in your circle. Everyone has something to offer. Add something positive to you friends.

Things do not always go according to plan. As I get older, I have learned to improvise, adapt, and overcome. This is a mantra sometimes used by the Marine Corps, with which I share my birthday. They, of course, were established a mere 241 years before I was. No, I was never a Marine, but I am thankful we have them.

I have been to many funerals over the years. They are sad events. As I get older, I have thought about what I want at my funeral. I want people to laugh. I want them to enjoy themselves as they remember me. I want a pizza buffet and an ice cream sundae buffet for people to enjoy. My wife drew the line when I said I wanted a clown. Maybe that would be a bit much.

My message for you today: Life is too short. Enjoy it while you can. Make a difference. Keep priorities straight.