I don’t want to be a movie star

 

My Mikey, I love you

 

∞ • π³ + 1

 

 

 

 

When I was a child, I decided I wanted to be an actor.  “Actor”, in my mind, didn’t mean that I would be someone who acted.  No, it meant that I would be a world-famous movie star.  I wanted the mad throngs of fans pouring themselves around me, every step I took.  I wanted the ogling of millions.  I wanted to be adored by people who had absolutely no idea what kind of person I really was…just the kind of people I played on the screen.

 

Then I changed my mind.  I wanted to be a teacher.  This was more because it was my mother’s goal than because it was mine.  I did not fully appreciate the implications of being one who helps a child learn.  I wanted what Mama wanted.

 

A few years down the road, I decided that I wanted to be a singer.  Again, it was not as if “singer” meant someone who sang.  What I wanted was to be a world-famous singing sensation.  This was before I really developed my own writing style or my own vocal style.  I had yet to realize that the important part of being in the spotlight was the chance to spread messages to anyone who listened.

 

Now, I am a singer.  I am not world-famous.  I am not a sensation.  I do have my own writing and vocal styles.  Now, I realize what was truly important all along….the ability to connect with another person.  It is important to let anyone and everyone who listens to my work know that he is not alone in the world.  Anything I have been through can be found in one song or another that I write and record. 

 

My goals have shifted, and I hope they have matured, as I lean towards growing up.  Now, I no longer want to be a movie star.  I would not mind being a teacher, if I could really reach out and help even one student learn something.  Now, I am a singer, a writer, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a son, a grandson, an uncle, a cousin.  My most important goal is to be someone’s inspiration, be that in a good way or a bad way.  If I can only be looked at as someone NOT to be like, at least it will help someone.  My dream is that someone, someday will look back upon my life and say, “I wish I could be like him.”

 

They don’t even have to say it out loud.

 

Much love to all,

 

Betty Louise

 

: "Monotype Corsiva"”> 

Betty Louise