We all know this guy. The one who dominates every conversation. The one who will listen to your story, then come back with one that he thinks is better than yours. We call that a “topper,” by the way. Usually he is the loudest one in the room and when he walks in, the mood completely changes to one that no one wants to be a part of. He will tell you how worthless your accomplishments are while touting his, which are far less but he doesn’t think that way.
He is a person who has an excessive interest in or admiration of themselves. They call that person a narcissist. I called it, me.
I was that guy until a chance encounter, twenty years ago in February. A moment that I am forever grateful that happened. Every year since then when February rolls around, I always take a moment to reflect.
I had walked in late from dinner at work and a reporter named Jay Korff and a photojournalist named Jason Foster were eating and in a pretty deep conversation. I managed to take over said conversation and was telling both of them how smart I was and they were not. As Jay got up to leave, he paused and said something to me that I will carry with me forever. “Hey, let me tell you something. You know, if you take all that negative energy you have, and it is a lot, but if you change all that to positive energy, there is no telling how awesome you would be.” He walked out and shut the door.
Silence. I sat there for about an hour and didn’t say anything. I went out and did my story for the 10 p.m. news and headed home after that. I sat in the driveway when I got there and his words just rattled inside my head. “Change all that negative energy to positive energy, there is no telling how awesome you would be.” It hit me as I sat there and it was so simple. I have written about this many times on taking that energy and using it for good. This is where it all started.
I started on a new path after that and asked guidance from the Lord and just put one foot in front of the other. Now, there have been many speedbumps on this road, but on the other side of a speedbump, it evens out and you just continue on.
Attitude is everything and so is positive energy. I had to discover the hard way but thankful someone cared enough to let me know. Thank you, Jay. Thank you.