When I grow up, I want to be a nobody

When you're young, everyone wants you to be something. You grow up, going to school, studying, learning subjects that you think will help you 'get that job'. Have relationships along the way, thinking that will 'complete' your life. Think about having or actually having children, all the while making sure you have enough money for rent/mortgage, loans, creature comforts of home, food, fun and frivolity.

But I wonder if, at the end of the day, how people will think of you? How will you be remembered by your children? Your friends? Your family? Will they remember you had the latest flat screen TV and you were able to get it because you studied four years at University and scored that fantastic job at that fantastic firm? Or will you not be remembered for any of those things or not remembered at all? Will you just be a nobody? 

When you're thinking of your place in life, your successes and failures, who do you think about? Do you think about your University lecturer? Your cool flat mate who knew all the hippest places to party at? Your first grade teacher? The guy who sold you that huge TV? Or will you remember your Mum or Dad, your grandparents, your brothers or sisters? Or that old lady at the bus stop who started talking to you and she talked about hard times but a good life and it made you wonder does having all this 'stuff' really matter at the end of the day?

I came across this video clip on someone's Facebook feed the other day. It was a graduation speech by John Green. Who's John Green you ask? He's a nobody. I never heard of him before but he made me realise that all that I have, all that I had, all that I do and all that I think doesn't count for nothing without the 'nobodies' in your life. My Mum was a nobody and my Dad and my grandparents. My sisters are nobodies but I'd be lost without them. My parents 'encouraged' me to have all those things (maybe not the large TV) but the security of a well paid job, solid relationships and a good life. But what they didn't realise was that they were giving me love, support and shelter all along and they were there for me. They didn't want for anything and had a comfortable life but it wasn't one measured by wealth or treasures. It was measured by the fact they were nobodies but they were somebody to me. 

I hope that my children realise that being a nobody attracts an untold, immeasurable wealth. It doesn't matter how many Facebook followers you have or how many 'uniques' you have on your blog. Nor what you do for a living or what car you drive. Its not even important if you aren't remembered by your Grade 3 best friend 30 years down the track but that you've meant something to someone by being there, by being friendly, supportive, kind, generous and honest, to name a few.

If you have a spare 20 minutes, I encourage you to watch this clip. It was a commencement speech given by John to the graduating class of Butler University, Indianapolis.