What we can learn from Brittany Murphy
If you haven’t heard, yesterday actress Brittany Murphy died suddenly at age 32, apparently from natural causes.
We can learn a lot from this woman’s short life. Parents can learn a lot, too, about the messages they send to their children about their dreams.
As a teen, Brittany was clear what her dream was — to become a successful actress. When she told her mother she wanted to move to the hub of the acting world — Hollywood — her mother said, of all things, yes.
Brittany said of the exchange, “When I asked my mom to move to California, she sold everything and moved out here for me. I was really grateful to have grown up in an environment that was conducive to creating and didn’t stifle any of that. She always believed in me.”
You’ll hear similar stories by people like Hillary Swank and Celine Dion, whose entire family (and that’s a BIG family) said upon learning she wanted to be a singer, “How can we help Celine live her dream?”
I want you to take just a moment and think about that — to think about how Celine Dion’s life would have been different had her family said, “Yes, honey, but let’s be practical.” Really think about how that conversation altered the course of her entire life — and every person she has touched through sharing her gifts with the world.
How many times do people say, “I wish the best for you, but the chances that you’ll actually make it are pretty slim, you know?” Robin Williams’ father suggested he learn to weld “just in case.” (Good thing he didn’t listen as The Dead Poets Society just wouldn’t have been the same without him.)
How many of us even by age 32 have found the courage to launch our dreams — to take that first step — let alone make them come true? How many of us get started, only to fizzle out in a few days or weeks, going back to our old ho-hum routine? I did the start-and-stop routine for years before I took my leap and became a writer, singer and songwriter. When the pain of living the status quo outweighs the pain of the fear of regret, we finally have the motivation we need.
Let’s learn from Brittany Murphy’s shining example … at the end of our lives, whenever that day comes, may we have followed her example, living lives that are true to ourselves, so we, too, can have no regrets.
As you may have heard, I’m devoting my ENTIRE year in 2010 to helping 160 people launch their dreams and get from “here” to “there.” I’m calling it Dreaming Big!, and I’m launching it because I DID find the courage to launch my dream several years ago of becoming a freelance writer. In doing so, I learned a lot about what happens in life when you’re living a life that’s 100% you. (Hint: it’s a magical way to live.)
Save the date — on Thursday, January 7, hundreds of us are going to come together in a conference call and talk about how you can make your dream come true in 2010! Reserve your spot now!
PPS If you’re short on time and long on enthusiasm, you can skip the seminar and check out the Dreaming Big! program here.
As always Elizabeth, your insights and thoughts are amazing. I think about all the resistance I have faced in my own path by everyone around me and although I am grateful for the growth and the lessons, it truly is a blessing to have supporters. And it is a lesson to us to move past our own fears so we can encourage and support those we love.