So you think you can...

I am not likely to ever be famous. Neither are you. So why does that bother us on some level? Is it because we are just so darned special? I know I am. From my perspective, I am terribly important. I bet you feel the same way. 

The reality is, it’s a numbers game. By definition, we can’t all be famous. There has to be the masses that watch the tiny few. That’s us. We’re the masses. Sorry to break it to you.

We have a distorted view of how easy it is to become well-known because by the nature of the mass media, that is all we see. We see famous people being followed and spending lots of money. We don’t see the 7 billion other people that are trudging through life anonymously just like us. 

And that is why we think, “well, if she could do it...” What we fail to think about are the millions of other people who also want to be famous singers or writers or dancers or actors but are unable to distinguish themselves from the masses. It’s not as easy as it looks. Actually, I’m pretty sure it’s mostly luck.

Here’s the thing though, about life, just because you aren’t famous or paid to do something, doesn’t mean you can’t do it. The title of the show, So You Think You Can Dance?, especially gets under my skin because the answer for all of us is yes! We are born with the ability. If you don’t believe me, I present Exhibits A, B and C. 

The point is, the experience of doing these things is not changed by how many millions of people know your name. I can’t even get my own mother to read the stuff I write, but I have the same experience when I’m sitting at my laptop as any other writer has, famous or otherwise. Actually, I have less pressure because I have no deadlines or reputation to maintain. I also don’t have to sell out to pay the bills. (And I don’t judge people who do. Bills are bills.)

So, fine. I’ll never be famous. But, that’s not going to stop me from dancing. Or writing. I don't think I can, I know I can. So can you.