Can You Put Yourself On Stage?

June 18, 2009

So I was driving to Rite Aid after chemotherapy this afternoon. As usual, I was rocking out to different types of music on my way. I love music, all types. As long as it’s loud.

As I pulled into the parking lot to pick up some prescriptions, I was singing, “I Wanna Be a Rockstar!” by Nickelback. I find it a very fun song with great lyrics and an awesome melody. I was daydreaming about the day when I might be considered a rockstar. Am I the only one who does that?

I strolled through Rite Aid to the back of the store where the pharmacy is located. I recognized Raj, my extremely friendly and efficient head pharmacist, behind the counter. Here’s the conversation that ensued:

“Hi Raj. How are you today?”
“Good Mr. Wilhelm. How are you?” (Raj is older than me, but I like that he still calls me Mr. Wilhelm.)
“Outstanding, as usual my friend. I’m here to get two scripts for me and 2 for Amy as well.”

After locating The Wilhelm Family’s scripts, Raj began to ring them up on the computer. (Side Bar: Given my medical history, I maintain incredible insurance, as all of you should as well. I have a total out-of-pocket expense cap of $1600/year. Considering I’ve been getting chemo & diagnostic tests now for about 15 months in a row, we have long since met that cap.)

“Your total Mr. Wilhelm, is…oh, zero! Very nice.”
“Thank goodness for Blue Cross Blue Shield Raj!”

As I was signing for the scripts, I estimated how many thousands of dollars my cancer has brought to this particular Rite Aid store. My best guess…about $25,000 in the last 15 months alone.

Taking my receipt from Raj, I began to joke with him about my status within Rite Aid as a pharmacy customer.

“Raj, I’m trying to become your most profitable pharmacy customer ever! Do you have any way to track those types of statistics?”
“Actually, yes. We’ve just started a new program. You can’t see it on your screen, but on my mine, our computer system puts a star next to the names of high profile customers.”
In a tongue-in-cheek manner, I asked, “Do I have a star Raj?”
Laughing out loud, but still trying to downplay his response, Raj smirks: “Oh yes…you have a star.”

So there it was. In my own little way, I was ALREADY a rockstar. I don’t have a house featured in an episode of Cribs. Nor do I have a big black jet with a bedroom in it. I simply smiled to myself and strolled out of the store.

I encourage you to redefine the rules that you apply to yourself each day. Change your internal definition of success to include the small things. Tilt the odds in your favor for being happy and fulfilled. Live your life with a positive mental attitude and give yourself your own rockstar status!