What Michael J. Fox Taught Me About Fame?
These lessons were given to me over a lovely dinner
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3-minute read
I believe I offer one of the best personal development classes online. I don’t say this oot of ego. It is just that personal development classes need to deal with more than just motivational tips and inspirational quotes. The lessons I offer really get into the nitty-gritty of life and self-improvement.
One thing I have learned being close to fame throughout my life is that I don’t want it. My life is simple though abundant and I want to keep it that way.
I wake up I have a daily ritual; some meditation, some Thai Chi, and then I catch the news — BBC Yahoo MSNBC even Fox once in a while. I usually catch what is trending. Maybe there is something in the news that might use as a seed for a story on Medium?
What was trending last month on many of the stations was a story that the actor Michael J. Fox was retiring from acting. The motivation for this announcement was that the symptoms of Fox’s Parkinson’s disease, which he was diagnosed with in 1991, at age 29, had worsened.
This particular story caught my eye because of an event that took place about 25 years ago. I was in New York City, and friends and I went to dinner at one of those fancy, high-priced vegan restaurants. The kind of place where none of the dishes served has any meat, fish, eggs, poultry, honey, or anything even closely related to an animal.
I’m not sure why I asked him what I did at that moment, but after I politely returned his greeting, words popped out of my mouth before I had the chance to catch them.
Not wanting to say something rude or superficial I simply said “I hope I’m not being too intrusive but can I ask you a question”.
“Sure”, he replied with a smile.
Then I asked the question on my mind. “What does it feel like to be that famous?” I continued. “You seem to be a really nice person, a public figure. You’ve been a television star, a movie star and your health challenges have been the constant subject of stories in the media. I apologize if I am being rude or intrusive. What’s it like to be this famous?”
He smiled and thought over the question for about five seconds. “It’s OK,” he replied. ”I don’t mind at all.” Then he gave me a fairly clear quick and profound answer smiling as he looked at me.
“Being famous is like waking up in the morning by yourself as you always have. Then you leave your house, and as you walk out the front door there are 20 or 30 people you don’t know with cameras for what seems like no good reason climbing over each other to get a photo…of me”.
“I’m not complaining”, he said, “but I’m just answering your question. I can’t say chaos is a pleasant experience. …that’s what it’s like to be this famous”. I thanked him and we both went back to our dinner company. That short conversation has stayed with me for over thirty years.
The Takeaway
We live in a time where people are famous for being famous. There’s Paris Hilton, the Kardashian clan who I have no desire to keep up with, and then there are the Real Housewives of here there and everywhere who clearly have too much time on their hands.
But what is all that fame for? What does it do, and who does it serve? Does being really famous really make anyone happy who wasn’t already happy. How much damage does that kind of fame do for the very talented person desperate for love, or for something...anything.
Here is an amazing song about the ups and downs of fame by Janis Ian, who is an expert on that experience.
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Author: Lewis Harrison is the creator of the Life Strategies Playbook and Mentoring Course and The Spiritual, Not Religious Course (learn more about these below.
A Results-Oriented Success Mentor and Coach, He has a passion for knowledge, personal development, applied game theory, self-improvement, creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and story-telling.
“I am always exploring trends, areas of interest, and solutions to build new stories and courses. Again, if you have any ideas you would like me to write about just email me at LewisCoaches@gmail.com” or check out my other blogs by subscribing here at Asklewis.Substack.
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