MM: Always remember where you came from

09/07/15

I think most everyone who reads this will be able to relate to this. You either know someone personally or can think of someone who became successful and completely changed. Whether it was the money or, in the case of celebrities, the fame or just their ego, once they "made it" they turned into someone you weren't proud to call your friend anymore.

It's unfortunate really. An otherwise down to earth, good person transformed into this shallow, superior, fake, 'I'm better than you' persona that you don't even recognize. Success and money can do that to people. Without going into the psychological factors that attribute to this condition, the root issue of why this happens is that they forget (perhaps intentionally) where they came from.

You've most likely heard of Zach Galifianakis. He's a comedian and actor who first became an international star in the movie The Hangover. Now, he is a blockbuster movie veteran with three Hangover movies and a headline role in The Campaign under his belt. Before his breakout role, though, he was a struggling comedian in Los Angeles. In the article below is the story of Zach's friendship with an elderly woman who was a laundromat attendant he knew during the lean years he experienced trying to make it in LA. After he became a star, he lost touch with the elderly woman but later found out she was homeless. What he did next is a clear reminder that you should always remember where you came from. Being true to the person you strive to be is one of the most important keys to being successful and remaining successful - in life.

Give it a read. It will only take a couple of minutes. But, I hope it inspires you to keep moving forward to accomplishing your dreams, while also being the kind of person people will be proud to say "I knew him/her when ..."

Remember where you came from - Zach Galifianakis Story

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