How to Get Over Yourself.
“Do you have big balls?” Simon asked.
“Excuse me?"
“Are you brave. Do you have big balls?"
“What are you talking about?"
"There’s a lady out there who, well, it’s her birthday. Can you please giver her this cake and sing happy birthday? Quick, before they get up to leave! I'm not going to do it, Hayley, I can’t do it!"
I looked at the cake, and I felt like telling him to get over himself and do it on his own. It’s not a big deal.
I knew I could do it.
But I was feeling pretty yuck today. I had a million reasons why I shouldn’t sing the freaken' song with the cake. I felt like crawling into a ball today and spending time alone, not making myself a visible show, singing happy birthday to a random stranger in a cafe in front of 100 other people.
And then I thought about the woman at the table.
She had absolutely no idea what was unravelling behind her. Perhaps nobody in her life has ever sung her a song and made her feel brilliant in front of 100 other strangers in a cafe. Perhaps this could make her day!
How would I feel if someone came out with a big smile on their face and sang me happy birthday despite the 100 other people in the room?
How would I feel if they got over themselves to make my day?
I’d feel like a million bucks. It would give me a little more faith in collective humanity.
That thought was far too big and juicy and excellent to ignore.
Simon was lighting the sparkler. Hoping to death I’m sure, that I’d say yes and do something that resembled a song.
Well screw that.
If you’re going to do it, Get in and do it!
“Ready Simon?” I said, "I’m going to sing…”
Sweeping up the plate I started walking towards her. Huge smile on my face. “Happy Birthday to you…"
People turned to look, as they always do. Simon was giggling with excitement. Wide-eyed.
And the rest of the cafe joined in as I swung my hands in the air to orchestrate the madness.
I didn’t even know her name.
That was the day I sang happy Birthday to a stranger in front of a cafe full of people.
She cried. It was her 60th Birthday. She was delighted and overwhelmed at the thoughtfulness.
What a simple act of getting over oneself can do for someone else life.
What memories one can create for the smile of another in the simple act of getting over ones self.
I will never forget that moment. I think I learnt what it must be like to be a parent.
Getting over myself to bring some happiness to someone else, brought me so much unexpected joy and satisfaction.
It actually made my day.
Need to get over yourself?
It doesn’t matter if you’re a parent, a performer, a manager, an athlete, or a fridge magnet.
Think about how your act is going to make someone else feel.
Think about what you getting in, and doing what you’re avoiding, is going to do for whoever gets to experience you?
Think about how it’s going to make their day. Or their year. Or their eyes water with joy and surprise. Or change their life. You might give them permission to do the same thing.
Think about when it’s over, how you’re going to feel, for the fact that you got over yourself and did what you knew you could do.
Get over yourself.
You will get to live to the max, and enjoy all of the favours of life.
It's not about you.
It’s worth it for everyone.
