I expected to see thousands of screaming doe-eyed girls, long lines and expensive parking (a whopping $20) at the boy band concert I sold both my arms and legs to attend with my daughter Faith last night. I knew I would be deaf by the time I drove home, cringe at the over-priced Diet Coke and delight in my little girl swooning over Harry Styles.
I brought an Advil for the headache I anticipated and psyched myself up to be the cool mom for one evening –difficult for me at best.
I laughed at the banners –“Snog Me Harry” and the glittery t-shirts saying “Mrs. Nials to-be.” One clever girl threw a walkie-talkie on stage and got the band to chat with her.
I planned and expected many things for our girl’s night out, but the one thing I didn’t expect to encounter was a strong brush with humility –from the band One Direction of all places.
And even this morning it lingers.
One Direction –the boy band de jour –was surprisingly, one of the more grateful groups of young men I’ve seen in a very long time.
These boys don’t take their success lightly. They weren’t ego-maniacs despite their Beatles-like power to hypnotize little girls. Even while panties and bras were flying on to the stage –they laughed and poked and teased each other with sweet self-deprecation.
And fortunately for all of us parents who chaperoned –these lads had pipes and could dance and wail and brilliantly light up the stage.
But most importantly –they thanked the crowd no fewer than thirty times. Each young man (five in all) took multiple opportunities to dote on their fans, appreciate their fans, encourage, affirm and edify their fans…over and over and over.
In a world of people pushing and striving for the spotlight, it was deeply refreshing to see rock stars who willingly give it away.
And their startling humility made an impact and made me think about my own personal thank-o-meter.
Do I thank people enough?
Probably not.
Maybe it’s time for a tune-up. The truth is I want my life to be less about me and more about others. I want to diminish (my ego) to allow others to flourish. I want to be thankful for every friend, fan, like and reader.
I want it to be less about me and more about you.
So, here we go.
Thank you. Thank you for reading the words I write. Thank you for giving me a chance to pursue my dreams. Thank you for commenting and loving and encouraging me on the overwhelmed days, the achy heart days and all of the ordinary underwhelming days.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!
I think One Direction has really figured out the “One Thing” –HUMILITY.
Do you have someone in your life you need to thank today?
