Against the Wind as I Floated Past the Stars: A Memoir of the Life of Lewis Harrison.
The Introduction to my life as a writer, radio talk show host, networker, and influencer. Meeting and hanging out with the famous and infamous
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I am not famous, and never have been, not in the Bill Clinton, Kim Kardashian, or Mr. Spock sense. I have spent most of my life as a writer, and motivational coach. I have had many books published but none became best-sellers. In my twenties I dated a few women who decades later became famous, winning an Oscar, or Emmy. Of course, they achieved these successes decades, after sharing a dinner or bed with me. In my 60s a fell into the opportunity to produce and host a humor-music-interview radio show on a small not-for-profit community station. This station was later purchased by a larger National Public Radio station. So technically speaking I was a producer of a radio show on an NPR affiliated station. It was a nice introduction for people who asked “what exactly is it that you do for a living?”
In a recent conversation with a dear, old friend, who knows how my life has unfolded, I was told that I had done and experienced some very interesting stuff, and as a story-teller I should share all.
What she specifically said was
“Your life is a cross between Charlie Sheen and the Dalai Lama. You gotta write it all down!”
I thought about her suggestion and I said to myself.
“For the last forty years, as an obviously intelligent, nice, and mildly eccentric guy, with an outgoing personality, I was often invited to “exclusive” social events, dinners, parties, and clubs, as well as to museum and art gallery openings. In all of these, I was often the only person in attendance who had not had their 15 minutes of fame. Why not write it all down?”
I asked my wife, Lilia what she thought. She agreed with my friend’s suggestion. Lilia suggested that I not focus too intently on it all. Now and then when some person, place or thing turns on a light bulb in my head, brings forth some interesting memory, just make a note of it and write about the experience and whatever comes with it. So that’s what I did. There is nothing particularly sad, dark, or salacious here. Just hopefully interesting people and experiences.
The best way I can describe all of it is to say my adult life has been a long walk on the Red Carpet.
On this walk, everyone outside the velvet ropes is waving to the stars walking on that red carpet. The thing is that I have been invited, but virtually no one else on the carpet knows me or cares who I am. They are enjoying their designer gowns, the attention of the cheering, waving, and yelling crowds. The paparazzi are taking their photographs. I am right there, but no one wants my picture, no one is calling my name, in fact, no even notices me. I am taking mental notes through it all. The beautiful people walk around me, and through me. Occasionally one smiles and says “hi”, with some slight recognition that they know me from somewhere but they are not quite sure where? Clearly, I belong here since no security is dragging me off.
These things happened, and I don’t want them all to drift away with time. Here I get the chance to share them with you. I hope you get a smile and some mild entertainment from reading them
Looking back, all I can really say is that I am just a writer, and motivational coach who got invited to this, that, or some other something that many other people dream of being invited to. I paid attention, made mental notes, and am grateful to have the opportunity to share them with you.
I didn’t plan to experience any of it. I said the right, thing, at the right time, to the right person, in the right place, and got invited to the next thing, and the next…etc.
Looking back, I simply call these experiences that I now share with you “Against the Wind as I Floated Past the Stars.”
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The Author: Lewis Harrison is a self-Improvement entrepreneur and a Mentor for those who seek to have a more Successful and Purpose-filled life.
He can be emailed at LewisCoaches@gmail.com