Have you ever been in the spotlight whether by choice or just because of circumstances? Let me give you a few examples of being in the spotlight:
- You run naked down Main Street
- You give birth to multiples (a large number of children at the same time)
- Your spouse passes away
- You graduate from high school, college or a technical school
- You have a big piece of food stuck between your two front teeth
- You get pulled over by the police on the highway for speeding
- It’s your birthday
- You become ill
- You come out of the bathroom with your pants unzipped or toilet paper stuck on your shoe
- You are elected to a high government office
- You are laid off from your job
- You give a speech
- You win the lottery
In all of those instances you become the center of attention and the spotlight is on you. How you handle your moment of fame has a whole lot to do with your personality. Let me tell you how I would handle a few of the above situations and then compare it with how you would handle the same situation.
I Run Naked Down Main Street
NOT HAPPENING PEOPLE! Seriously! If it took me almost three years to finally put my FACE on my blog, do you really think I’m going to strip down to the BARE FLESH and run down MAIN STREET? Uh…no. I think I would probably die a million deaths if I had to be publicly naked.
I Have A Big Piece Of Food Stuck Between My Two Front Teeth
When you share a meal with me and I get something stuck in my teeth, you better tell me! I mean really, WHAT are friends for anyway. Besides, I do find this embarrassing even though it happens to all of us now and again.
It’s My Birthday
Now we are talking! My birthday is a NATIONAL HOLIDAY that just hasn’t been founded yet! Lavish me with “Happy Birthday” wishes because I love it! Send me chocolates, take me to dinner or fly me to the top of a snowy mountain and I will be totally thrilled with all the attention! I think we have my mother to thank for this aspect of my personality. Right Mom? Oh, by the way, you should put my birthday in your calendar – January 17th. Thank you! LOL
I Come Out Of The Bathroom With My Pants Unzipped
This is always so embarrassing to me! I had a pair of black pants that always came unzipped all by themselves. I would be walking around the hallways of work totally oblivious! Thank goodness I either tuck in long shirts or wear a long shirt outside of my pants, so no one has ever witnessed this mishap. It bothered me so much that it kept happening, so I got rid of the pants. Yeah, I don’t want the spotlight on my undies shining through unzipped pants.
I Give A Speech
Actually, I have given speeches in one form or another in front of large audiences. It is rather invigorating to speak about a topic that I’m passionate about and I enjoy watching the faces in the audience as my message is conveyed. I get the initial butterflies, but within seconds they are gone. This kind of spotlight situation is fun and always has a growth potential!
I enjoy lavishing the spotlight on people I care about because it makes me feel happy to give a part of myself, talent or efforts to add a bit of happiness to their life.
I knew my mom would read the Easter post yesterday before I visited her, so I didn’t say that the dog, along with the same egg designs were in an Easter bag for her. When I saw Mom today and she sat down to go through her goodies, the look on Mom’s face was priceless as she pulled out the dog. Mom looked totally shocked and quite cute.
Giving people spotlight moments really makes my life worth living. Those interactions of caring interspersed between the mundane tasks has helped me to become an unselfish, compassionate person. I like that part of me.
How do you handle moments in the spotlight? Tell me in the comments!!!
You know, I was just thinking…If I ran naked down Main Street, I bet my blog traffic would increase. I’m seriously LAUGHING OUT LOUD! Nooooooo, it is NOT happening people!
OK… I’m a natural ham, so the spotlight isn’t a deterrent in general.
• I’m not likely to run nude (*not*naked!) down Main Street, but I have been a painter’s model, & am an inveterate skinnydipper 🙂
• I always try to find a nice way to tell someone if they’ve got something stuck in their teeth, & hope they’d do the same.
• I love birthdays – mine or anyone else’s. ‘Nuff said! 😉
• Yeah, I’ve discovered that my flag was at half-staff occasionally, & yes, that’s embarrassing!
• As I said, I’m enough of a ham that being on stage of at the lectern doesn’t phase me. Actually, I’ve been a radio announcer & news broadcaster, & no butterflies at all! 😀
Yeah, that Main St. run could increase your blog traffic… But only if there was a visual record! *wink* LOL
Skip,
“Yeah, that Main St. run could increase your blog traffic… But only if there was a visual record! *wink* LOL”
Do you think I could get any volunteers to record it? LOL LOL LOL We are BOTH silly!
I was shocked with the doggie! I thought it was Alyssa’s! LOL You made my day! You and Lyssa warmed my heart to the fullest. Mother loves you with all her heart.
I knew you would think it was her dog! LOL It was lovely to spend time with you yesterday, Mom. I love you too.
I think the worst has to do with teachers. Oftentimes, students have no trouble telling you what is wrong at the most inappropriate times. I have learned to roll with things. I have been known to misstep when teaching and nearly fall. They usually laugh at me, and I just go on.
Running naked down the street? Um, no, I don’t think so. I don’t care what it would do, it ain’t happening!
Ruth,
You’re so right! Kids can and will say just about anything. You just never know what the next thing will be that comes out of their mouth.
So that makes at least two of us that won’t be running down the street naked! LOL 😉
We had just finished our sandwiches at Panera and I asked my coworker if he’d wait for me outside while I used the bathroom.
“How come they removed the urinals?” – I remember thinking once inside, but that thought was interrupted by the phone chirps in the right front pocket. I let it ring pulling the behind me in one of the empty stalls. Two minutes later I was washing my hands when I heard it again, the phone screaming for my attention in my pocket. It wasn’t until I opened the door and saw my coworker, phone in hand, trying to explain something to a few women, that I realized that I had been “occupying” the ladies’ room…I doubt that running naked would have been more embarrassing, but we all had a big laugh after that and that made it all good.
Cheers Red!
Andy,
I laughed out loud! That is so funny! Thanks for sharing the story. So how many shades of red did you turn??? LOL
Well, Since we’re sharing…(blushing) I have NEVER been so embarrassed in my life, nor have I since. Now mind you, I always wear midcalf or ankle length skirts. We always start our church service with praise and worship. I had been in the restroom when it started, so I was in a hurry to get back out. What makes this story worse is that I ALWAYS sit in the FRONT ROW right in front of the pulpit. Anyway, I came out and walked up to my seat, and of course everyone was standing up singing and praising God. The next thing I know I feel a little tug on the back of my skirt. Somehow or another the back of my skirt was hiked up and caught in my pantyhose! The lady behind me reached over and tugged at it to get it uncaught! I felt like running out and never going back! I didn’t though, and luckily no one but her ever mentioned it to me.I am now VERY CAREFUL to make sure to look in the mirror ALL THE WAY AROUND when I go to the restroom. Now THAT is what I call being in the spotlight! I blush when I think about it! LOL!
Love ya!
PJ
THAT is so embarrassing PJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would have been so embarrassed too!