April 15, 2011

What We Can Learn From Sammy Davis Jr.

I recently found myself in a familiar situation, emailing with my team at nearly 11pm (yes, while I was on 'vacation').  Now, for the record, I had every right and option to not reply, without retribution.  But, being the overachiever good auditor I am, I wanted to keep the process moving as it was about a question the client needed answered.  In the process, I realized I had gotten a little "blurty"...you know, didn't really say anything 'wrong' but didn't necessarily weigh every word I wrote before sending an email.  I knew it would be ok, but wasn't perhaps the behavior that would earn me any kudos.

I was obsessing over contemplating the emails I sent, but came to a (familiar, again) conclusion - I gotta be me.  It's the same reason I disclose my medical situation.  I've known for years my personality evokes a strong reaction in others - people either love me or hate me - and I think it's also due to this same irrepresible trait.  I gotta be me.  If someone can't (or won't) work with these aspects (my illnesses, my honesty, etc), the whole thing isn't going to work in the longrun anyway and I'd rather know up front.  (Fortunately, so far KPMG and the important people there I work with can:)).  I gotta be me...and I gotta be surrounded by people who are ok with that.

I found this version of Sammy singing this song, and love it - it's real and raw and gutteral.  I love it:



Whether I'm right or whether I'm wrong
Whether I find a place in this world or never belong
I gotta be me, I've gotta be me
What else can I be but what I am

 I want to live, not merely survive
And I won't give up this dream
Of life that keeps me alive
I gotta be me, I gotta be me
The dream that I see makes me what I am

That far-away prize, a world of success
Is waiting for me if I heed the call
I won't settle down, won't settle for less
As long as there's a chance that I can have it all

I'll go it alone, that's how it must be
I can't be right for somebody else
If I'm not right for me
I gotta be free, I've gotta be free
Daring to try, to do it or die
I've gotta be me

I'll go it alone, that's how it must be
I can't be right for somebody else
If I'm not right for me
I gotta be free, I just gotta be free
Daring to try, to do it or die
I gotta be me
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2 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 17, 2011 at 2:19 PM

    So true ! Be yourself !! We have so many things to face with the illness. The best we can do is to stay who we are.

    ReplyDelete
  2. HealingWellApril 22, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    I think it is so important to be honest about who you are, including with your illness. This is something I've recently come to know is truer than ever. Thanks for your post! ~ Peter

    ReplyDelete

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