Much has been made of Randy Moss’ effort as a wide receiver for the New England Patriots last weekend. Moss has long been known as a mercurial star….at one moment looking like an intense, focused Hall-of-Famer, the next appearing to be disinterested, lazy and even pouty. As I thought about how Moss reacted to his reduced role in New England’s offense, I was reminded of an interaction I had with my dad many years ago.
My dad is a singer/actor, and for years worked at an amazing dinner theater in Minneapolis. He had starring roles, minor roles, and even chorus roles. It was always a treat for me to go to the theater to see his shows. The pageantry, the music, the acting, the great dinners…I loved it.
It wasn’t always great for my dad.
While there were many shows he enjoyed, he often got stuck doing shows he genuinely disliked. When you’re killing yourself doing 8 performances a week for 6 months and you despise the content? Yikes. The conversation I had with him after watching one of his shows changed my life.
I went to the theater this particular evening with one thought…I was going to watch my dad throughout the entire show. He was in the chorus this time, so the focus was rarely on him. The musical had been running for several months, and my dad hated it.
From the opening overture to the closing curtain, I watched my dad. Never, and I mean never, did he lose one ounce of focus. He was always in character, always engaged. His energy and effort couldn’t have been more concentrated had he been the lead in a Broadway musical. I was dumbfounded.
After the show, I asked him how he mustered the emotional energy to deliver such a terrific performance despite his seemingly insignificant role in a production he had come to despise.
“Christopher, I am a professional.”
That comment brings tears to my eyes as I write it.
Thanks for being my living example, Dad. In an age of entitlement and narcissism, we’ve forgotten what you guys look like.
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What a great lesson–realizing that it’s not about “me” and that it is more important to serve the big picture!
What a great life lesson! You were fortunate to have learned that lesson early in life, my man! Some of us don’t get it until much later, if at all.
Chris, this gives some insight as to where you got your character. It’s certainly challenging to me during those times when I feel like “dogging it.” I will share this post with my friends.