Geoffrey Owens has had quite a week. The rollercoaster ride started when Karma Jones (yes, her real name), snapped his picture during his shift at Trader Joe’s. Karma posted the photo of the former member of “The Cosby Show” and Fox News ran with it. In hours, the story of a celebrity who had been in the top 1% of his profession went viral.
The implication was clear: “A once rich and famous actor is down on his luck.” There was just one problem with that story: It was inaccurate. Geoffrey Owens teaches weekly Shakespeare workshops. He takes parts he thinks are interesting and appropriate. And he has many friends in the acting community. He may no longer be part of the 1%, but acting is a big part of his identity.
Then there was the subtle and more sinister suggestion about his line of work. Social media was quick to weigh in. You might think people would complain about the hassle and embarrassment of working a day job. Instead, they related their own stories about working while finishing grad school or biding their time when their passion project was in a lull. They leaped to defend Owens’ choice, praising steady benefits like health care and a dependable paycheck.
When Geoffrey was finally interviewed, he confirmed what everyone else had been saying: There is dignity and value in every profession. And on a side note, by week’s end, he accepted a new offer on OWN while Karma deleted her social media accounts.
Geoffrey’s story applies to the September series, Right View, Right Action because it shows the power of perspective. Judging yourself against anyone else is a shortcut to misery. Teddy Roosevelt said it this way, “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
Has comparison ever undermined your right view? Maybe you second-guessed yourself about your slow and steady career path when someone mentioned “how much better you could do.” Perhaps a friend’s constant travel pictures on Instagram made you wonder if paying down student debt is the right priority. Or you got depressed when you saw a celebrity thinking, Why can’t I be as successful and wealthy as they are? But trying to match up to anyone else, much less the top 1%, isn’t the right view.
A better question is, “Am I being responsible and doing the right thing for my family?” That’s what Owens asked himself, and he got a resounding “YES!” His right view informed his right action of choosing alternate work between acting jobs.
Geoffrey Owens has given us a masterclass in playing your own game. This week take a page from that playbook. Whenever you’re feeling unsettled by comparison or envy, ground yourself with this go-to question: “Am I doing what’s right for me with integrity?” Then use the Soul Boss principle of relying on direction from your wise, inner self rather than the outside world.
Are you ready for a happy, contented week? Don’t compare yourself to the 1%.