I reflect back when I ALMOST got an autograph from one of my favorite artist. Nathan Morris from Boyz ll Men. I am an introvert to say the least and so when I saw him one day while traveling I thought to my self…..SELF this was the day I won’t be shy and freaking bashful and ask for an autograph!
Now HPS was in paper form but I wasn’t bold enough to ask for an interview at that time. Let’s just say it didn’t go like I hoped. I was sad because at that moment he wasn’t kind or nice and I felt embarrassed for even stepping towards him and I kept my head down as he left the building shaking his head in a displeasing manner. I wasn’t a kid at this time, I was a full grown adult but my internal self felt like a little kid who got scolded for doing something bad. I didn’t come at him with screams or yelling like I’ve seen others do when they see their favorite artist. I said, “Thank You for your craft. Your music has helped me through some of my most difficult times and I will always be grateful to your music for being there when I needed it.” .
I can say the rug got taken from underneath me that day but it didn’t make me stop listening to their music. In fact, it made me appreciate it more. I say that because that negative moment reminded me that people that you look up to are just that…….human. They have bad days just like me. I don’t know what he was going through that day so that reminded me to always keep that in mind when I approach people. Specially for interviews. Am I still an Introvert…..yep!
But people can’t or won’t believe that I was or do have a shy and bashful side to me. Look your always going to put people on a pedestal and they will fall off every time because their human and they react badly just like you at times. That doesn’t mean they are evil or mean. It just means they are human and they have their reasons for being the way that they are and we have to remember to respect that in people.
For some reason that has come across as a lost art form. Do I still Love Boyz ll Men? Yes, I met one of my closest best friends through their music and their music helped me through the stages of my Mother passing and other major moments in my life. That won’t change because one of the members didn’t want to be bothered with a stranger coming up to them. I’m reflecting to this story in hopes of reminding others that when you think highly about others don’t just put them there because of just the positive aspects that they had done for you. Make sure it’s a complete picture of them. Because its an amazing thing when even at the worst moments you can see a positive outcome and if you can see that from them…..then definitely raise them up and showcase them by all means.
Deidre Gibbs
HPS Magazine 