Some of you know that my wife Nina and myself are theater fans. I think attending a good play that is well-performed is an incredible experience. We all thrive on stories. Theater is a wonderful way to hear and see them told.
Excellence in live Broadway theater is honored by The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, otherwise known as the Tony Award. This award show happens in June. We are avid viewers of it on TV.
Among the winners this year was Andre De Shields, who won for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. He has won numerous Tony Awards over the decades he has been performing on Broadway.
Mr. De Shields' acceptance speech was brief and very wise, a wonderful combination. Here is some of what he had to say.
One, surround yourself with people whose eyes light up when they see you coming.
Have you ever worked in an environment where there were people who never acknowledged your presence? their eyes never met yours, or, if they did, the message was "Don't talk to me." What a depressing thing to experience every day. Of course, your ability to do your best is ground down over time.
On the other hand, having bright eyes approaching you, welcoming your engagement, is remarkably inspiring to anyone. You can't help but want to excel in a workplace where everybody's eyes light up routinely.
Two, slowly is the fastest way to get where you want to be.
The older I get, the more this rings true. One step at a time, taken deliberately and with purpose, gets you to your goal faster than running madly after many different things.
Yes, sometimes you have to take a step or two back, even in the best of circumstances. Accept that as being simply part of the journey, not an impediment.
We can learn a lot from the struggle to achieve what we want, if we just pay attention.
And three, the top of one mountain is the bottom of the next, so keep climbing.
Appreciate what you have achieved. Pat yourself on the back. But don't be satisfied.
You "are" your experiences. Keep collecting them. Focus on where you want to get to and, when you arrive, already be thinking forward to where you now want to go.
These three principles are realistic and positive touchstones as one goes about the challenges of the day-to-day. I think behind all of what Mr. De Shields said is to enjoy the journey while you are on it. Don't wait to get to your goal for that enjoyment. And be the person you want others to be when interacting with you.
Life entails a never-ending series of choices. Notice them instead of not seeing them. Life gets better when you do.