Celebrity Distraction and the Journey Within

The year was 1995. Christmas in Taiwan had just passed, leaving behind a glow of festive memories and, for me, a sparkling new engagement ring. My fiancé had returned to the States, back to the demands of work, while I savored a little more time with my family. Our plan was simple and sweet: he'd pick me up from the airport in Texas, a reunion eagerly anticipated.

Back then, air travel held a different charm. Pre-9/11, the gates were open, and the reunion at the arrival gate was a hallmark of romantic movies and real-life anticipation. My journey back started with a long flight from Taiwan to LA, where I had a layover.

Feeling the weariness of travel, I decided to make the most of the airport's facilities. They had these fantastic freshen-up areas – showers, changing rooms, the works. I remember thinking, "I want to look refreshed and beautiful for him." So, I took my time, showering, reapplying my makeup, and changing into a fresh outfit, picturing his delighted face as I emerged.

As I boarded my connecting flight to Texas, I noticed a couple of familiar faces in first class: Willie Nelson and Sinbad. It was a cool little celebrity sighting, but my mind was mostly on the upcoming reunion. I settled into my seat, the final leg of my journey passing in a blur of excitement.

Finally, we landed. My heart fluttered as I walked down the aisle, eager to step off the plane and into my fiancé’s waiting arms. I pushed through the terminal door, my eyes scanning the faces, searching for him. And there he was… but his gaze wasn't on me. It was fixed squarely on Willie Nelson and Sinbad, who were just disembarking ahead of me.

In that moment, a wave of disappointment, almost like a childish sting, washed over me. I had put so much effort into looking perfect, into making that grand entrance, and he hadn't even noticed me! He was caught up in the celebrity spectacle.

It seems so silly now, looking back. A genuinely trivial moment that, at the time, felt like a miniature heartbreak. But that small, seemingly insignificant moment has stayed with me, evolving into a powerful reminder. It highlighted a truth I was just beginning to grasp: the immense effort we often pour into our external presentation, and how that can sometimes be a shield for a neglected internal self. I had meticulously crafted my outward appearance, seeking validation and attention from my fiancé, without fully realizing the deeper need for self-acceptance that was brewing within me.

Of course, this isn't to say your partner shouldn't be excited to see you – and he absolutely was! But it gently illuminated that crucial distinction between seeking external validation and cultivating internal confidence. It's about finding that sweet spot where another person's attention is a joyful bonus, not a fundamental requirement for feeling good about yourself.

Looking back, that experience was a stepping stone in my journey. It taught me that while it’s lovely to present our best selves to the world, true contentment and confidence stem from within. It’s about being so settled in who you are, and who you are becoming, that external factors – whether it’s a celebrity sighting or a missed glance – simply can’t diminish your inner light.

So, the next time you find yourself meticulously perfecting an outfit or rehearsing a witty remark, take a moment. Ask yourself: am I doing this to genuinely express myself, or am I seeking external approval?

The journey towards a confident, self-assured you is an inside job, and it’s far more rewarding than any celebrity encounter.

Here's to celebrating the power of internal confidence!

©Lisa King, MS, LPC, NCC