Seriously, there’s this children’s book called Everybody Poops. It’s a beautiful tale of how all different people all around the world poop. Every day. It’s a potty training book that is really a life lesson. I mean, when you think about it, even Madonna poops. She’s this amazing, creative, talented, and timeless performer who (apparently) never ages but she sure as shit (pun intended) poops. Which, in fact, makes her human. Her full human name is Madonna Louise Ciccone and her birthday is August 16th. She’s someone’s daughter, cousin, aunt, mother, and friend. And guess what?
You are too.
And you can interact with Madonna if you want to. You can share a raw vegan sandwich with her, bust some killer choreography, and then head to pick up the kids from the nanny. Yes, it probably takes a little more doing that, say, meeting ME…..but, that’s just it, IT’S DO-ABLE. Kate Middleton met Prince William at a college party. She didn’t care who he was or what his family meant (or at least she didn’t let on if she did care). She saw a cute boy who she wanted to talk to so she freakin’ talked to him!
Here’s the #1 secret for finding your tribe (you know, the people you wanna hang with, do business with, and spend all of your free time around):
Get over yourself. Others will follow suit.
Yep. When you put it in the perspective of “everybody poops”, it’s pretty easy to see how we are all just the same skin and bones, just in different packages.
***
I once worked on this opera with a very famous soprano who was notorious for being a diva. She brought her posse with her to town (and every rehearsal) and they included her mom, her baby, and her man. Honestly, I found her to be quite lovely. She was no more diva than the chorus girls (less, in some cases) and I was stunned by her reputation.
One day I was in her dressing room before a show and she turned to me while nursing her little babe and said, “I know that everybody thinks I’m a diva.”
Shocked that she brought it up, I replied, “Well, it is the reputation that preceeds you but I find you to be easy to work with. So, did something recently change?”
That beautiful operatic voice looked down at her tiny baby and said to me, “You know, once you have a baby and get poop on your face and in your hair, you start to realize that life really isn’t that big of a deal.”
***
Light-freakin-bulb.
See, the people you want to meet, that you idolize and seek out… they are people too. Find out what they like, how they play, what makes their soul sing. Speak to them about that. Don’t pitch yourself. Don’t get all googly-eyed at them. And don’t, for God’s Sake, ask them for anything.
Connection first, business second.
I have a challenge for you. It’s a baby challenge so don’t be scared. This weekend, write to/call/Tweet/message someone you don’t know but wish you did. Say hi, give ’em some love, share a story, and then peace out. Then claim your victory over self-defeat with a glass of vino or a Facebook post about your beautiful people-lovin’ glory. It’s best shared with others.
xo
