FIVE PEOPLE I’D LIKE TO MEET

I have been thinking about the people I’d like to meet. I’ve been fortunate to meet a lot of amazing people in my life—everyday folks, newspaper columnists, local television personalities, even a few politicians. I once stood within touching distance of The Rev. Dr. Jesse Jackson. So, I began thinking today, if I could meet anyone in the world—past or present—and decided to narrow it down to five. As I did in last night’s blog, I’ll present them to you in the order in which the popped into my head and why I think it would be an amazing experience to meet the individual.

OPRAH WINFREY: I think Oprah is a person who has truly been successful and has used her success and platform for good. She is one of the world’s wealthiest people and she shares her wealth all around the world. She appears to be such a genuine person.

DOLLY PARTON: Dolly Parton. She really just seems like a person you would meet on the street and be able to sit down and talk to about anything as though she were an old friend. She seems so non-judgmental and down to earth. She’s another one who has used her success for good in the world. Her music has transcended generations and her legacy is one of integrity. She has a what-you-see-is-what-you-get attitude. I like that. I think we could all learn from that.

RANDY PAUSCH: You may or may not know who Randy Pausch is. The late Randy Pausch was a professor at Carnagie-Mellon University who died in July, 2008 from pancreatic cancer. He is well known for his last lecture “Living Your Childhood Dreams”. His lecture is amazing to watch, and the book based on his life is truly inspiring. His desire though his lecture was to leave behind words of wisdom for his small children who would grow up with out a father because of his terminal illness. The result was a book and lecture that has inspired millions of people around the globe. In addition, his time management techniques are some of the best I’ve ever heard anywhere.

DR. SEUSS: Who else has inspired generations of children of all ages? He’s one of the world’s most incredible wordsmiths. I grew up with Dr. Seuss, but it wasn’t until I was an adult that I came to appreciate his work. I’d like to have had the opportunity to thank him for my favorite work by him “Oh, The Places You Will Go”.

HIM-MR. RIGHT: Yes, “THE ONE”. I guess I’m not so much in a hurry to meet him, because I know h’ll come around when the time is exactly right. I want to meet him because I’ve waited so long for him. I’ve waited to share my life with someone. I’ve learned a lot of lessons, and I long to grow with in life. I’m ready, when the time is right, to love again. He’s out there…and will come to me when the time is right. And, I pray for the wisdom and patience to make it all work out. I smile as I write this, knowing that it shall come to pass.

Here’s my confession: I have friends who either are or have been local television personalities. I’ve worked with some of my city’s best newspaper columnists and have had personal interactions with them. Yet, it’s this list of five amazing people that I would love to have the opportunity, or had had the opportunity, to meet. I think the common thread among all of these individuals is that they are all REAL people. I tend to associate myself with people who are down to earth and genuine. Oprah, Dolly, Randy, Dr. Seuss and even my own Mr. Right are all real people. They get up each morning just like I do. We’re all part of the human race. The thing that separates these well-known personalities from the rest of the world is that they have used their celebrity for good. And, isn’t that what we should all learn to do? Whether we are a garbage man on a sanitation crew or host of one of the world’s most successful daytime talk shows, shouldn’t we strive to see the good in people, use our success to empower others and to make the world a better place by leaving a legacy of integrity behind? I think so.