About Your Acceptance Speech

Post 517:

            I’m not how sure how generous the average human is when it comes to their own work and behavior. One can only speak for themselves in such matters; inadequately, even in that regard. When it comes to my endeavors, I tend to wield the stick more often than the carrot.

            Certainly, the stick is required. Nobody likes some dude lavishing himself with laurels and imaginary accolades. Gross.

            On the other hand, whipping yourself at every step can become a habit that’s hard to break.

            Humility is a magic word. A mystical idea. Sometimes it seems so elusive. Smarter and better equipped people have opined on the subject of humility; I can agree with what they say on the matter, but the essence of it remains slippery in my fingers.

            I think of the winner of an award. Take the Oscars or Grammys or whatever. You get all types of speeches: the entire range of humility is on display, from none at all, to bent over and sheepish.

            Somewhere in the middle is obviously the way to go. I’ve won a few things in my life and take vitriol and plaudits onstage on a weekly basis, and rarely do I field it quite right.

            I think the ideal show of humility doesn’t appear humble at all. Not at first.

            Ideal acceptance: I say a look of genuine surprise, followed by a fast and hurried rise to one’s feet. Two to three fist pumps and a fast walk to the podium. A few Thanks and Appreciate it type statements, head slightly down, and a show of emotion. Maybe a tear. But nothing too ostentatious. Then get the hell out before you lose it.

            Reasons for all of it. You get up surprised, because life doesn’t tend to work out most times. When it does, it should take a portion of your breath. The fist pumps come because the work was hard and good and that’s really what it’s all about, even more than the recognition. The thanks are obvious—life is a collaboration, even in the most solitary of ventures. Emotional discharge? That’s from realizing you’re lucky. To even have a shot at something you care about is a gift.

            Humility’s tough. Work on it. But don’t work on it. That’s disingenuous. Take it easy on yourself. But not too much. That’s creepy.

            As is obvious, my theories are still incubating. Cheers and see you after.