I Wanna Be Like You

Have you seen Disney's 1967 cartoon version of "The Jungle Book?"

In the movie, Mowgli, a young human boy raised by wolves in the jungle, meets King Louie, "King of the Apes."

Even though King Louie has everything his orangutan heart could possibly desire, he still compares himself to humans and comes up short, so he tries to convince Mowgli to teach him to be like "man" by harnessing the power of fire.

The scenario makes for a fun, lighthearted "I Wanna Be Like You" song in the movie, but constantly comparing yourself to others and feeling not good enough isn't just a fictional storybook problem. It's a very real, common, human issue too.

Over the years I've learned the hard way that if I focus on being THE BEST in the world, I will be often disappointed. There will ALWAYS be someone:

• more talented
• better suited age-wise (according to society at least...)
• better connected

But if I shift my focus to being MY BEST in the world, suddenly competitors become partners. Opponents become friends, and working together, we catapult each others' combined successes to even greater heights.

My job is to show up daily as a vital life force for positive change, and to serve as an example of how you can do the same.
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There’s no better reminder of this important life lesson than getting creamed in pickleball 4 times before lunch by players 20+ years older than you! (I can't beat 'em yet, but I can make them laugh :p)

Be the best YOU you can be every day, because YOU can do amazing things when you stop comparing and start creating.

Here's another version of me showing up as my best self during our Summer Swing show June 9th at the Manship Theater Hartley/Vey Studio. Watch the 5-minute show recap video below!

With gratitude,

Ashley