The Spotlight

As stated in my bio, I enjoy quality time with Netflix. One of my current favorites is Madam Secretary, which originally aired on CBS. The show is still going strong and I highly recommend it.

I constantly find myself writing down quotes from the episodes—the writing is fantastic. Recently, I watched the season 2 finale where the speechwriter, Matt, gave a commencement speech in Secretary Elizabeth’s place. Part of the speech stood out to me and I thought it worth sharing.

“…honestly…this is probably the first moment in my adult life that I've stood in the spotlight. Truth be told, it's probably going to be the last. Why? Because I'm one of those people who works in the dark…

I know what you're thinking. As soon as my Etsy page is discovered, I'll invent my own job title on Buzzfeed and livestream my Christopher Walken impression as I hoverboard to the Soylent dispenser in the playroom and I don't blame you…

In this world of relentless self-promotion, we've all been raised to think that the limelight is the only light worth seeking. But that isn't the case. And if I can impart one thing today, a small, simple truth to carry with you as you walk through those gates, it's this: Achievement is often anonymous. Some of the greatest things have been done by people you have never heard of... quietly dedicating their lives to improving your own.”

Click to see the full episode transcript.

I'm sure many can relate to Matt's words - I know I can. I feel constant pressure to not only live in the spotlight but do something amazing, like start a widely successful and famous business, to stay in the spotlight forever. We all constantly look for the opportunities that will look "best" on our resume or ones that come with fancy leadership positions that we can show off. We only think in the individualistic sense rather than the collective. What should be appreciation to other's success often turns into jealousy and feelings of inadequacy. However that's silly, as personal success should not be measured by how it looks to others. We're told the extremely outgoing, loud and charming personalities are the ones that will really succeed. These examples may be a bit dramatic but you catch my drift...

Matt reminded me that I don't have to go through life with this, "spotlight" mindset. Success and fulfillment can be found in many forms and ways. Secretary Elizabeth may broker wonderful deals of peace, but her staff that is anonymous to the public, are often the backbone to her success. The State of the Union is mostly crafted by writers you will never know. The Time's Up movement is fueled by thousands of anonymous hardworking women, like maids, that may not have the public voice that Reese Witherspoon does, but are still there fighting against inequality.

We don't all have to spend our life in constant pursuit of fame and notoriety. It is NOT the only light worth seeking - one can be just as influential and successful when anonymous. Madeleine Albright, Oprah and Susan B. Anthony, didn't accomplish everything on their own! The accomplishments that sometimes the public sees would never be possibly without the people working tirelessly in the dark who don't demand the spotlight always - who just want to get their job done and do it well and play their part.

Sometimes, it may seem like you are working in the darkness but that doesn't make your work any less real or important. It doesn't make your work any less deserving of the spotlight even if you don't receive it. Matt reminded me of something that I, and probably many others, often need to remember: the term spotlight isn't synonymous to success.

Episode: Madam Secretary, Season 2 - Episode 23.

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