Great Expectations

I work answering phones in the Tour Department at one of the studios here in the Los Angeles area. Since the Tour Department's number is the only public one for the entire studio, you can imagine that we get quite a few interesting calls throughout the day. Maybe some of the calls are jokes and maybe some of them aren't, but people call in with the great expectations of everything from speaking to stars to getting the opportunity to pitch a movie idea to the studio's highest executives.

Recently, I received calls from two separate young men, both seeking to break into the film industry as performers. Of course, I was unable to help them...and honestly, I did have a bit of a giggle at their expense. I mean if a girl from a small Alabama town with no stoplights can figure out that you don't get your start in the movie business by simply calling up one of the largest and most powerful studios in the world, then surely these two guys have the smarts to realize that for themselves! Anyway, after receiving calls like these day after day, all you really can do is have a little laugh and move on.

However, I've been thinking about these two guys over the last couple of days. Now, in reality, they may have been as certain as I am that their calls would get them no where...but perhaps they were willing to make them on the most miniscule chance that their greatest expectations would come true. That takes guts.

One of my greatest flaws is my fear of rejection. I recognize it for what it is, but I still can't seem to overcome it. It haunts me both professionally and personally. I've always heard that you won't really know the answer to your question unless you ask...but all too often, my questions lodge in my throat. I just can't get them to rise above that fear that the answer will be no.

These two guys - as well as all the others who call into the tour center on a daily basis seeking fame and fortune - aren't taking a logical or realistic path towards their goals. But there is a lesson to be learned from them...they are willing to risk appearing the fool (and have a few tour guides share a laugh at their expense) in order to ask the question. Yes, the answer is no...but maybe that "no" propels them towards the next step and the one after that and the one after that...and eventually - somewhere down the road - the answer just might be yes.

Like all these other people, I have great expectations for my life, and though I'm not always sure of the next step, I do have the dedication and the drive to at least take a chance. With each day I'm learning and I'm growing and I'm finding my path. I'm gaining the courage to ask my questions more and more. To take a chance. To have guts. After all, it doesn't hurt to just ask. Maybe someday the answer will be yes.