Honor Oneself

As I watched the events of the last few weeks unfold between NBC, Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien, I realized that I was was watching the development of personal power right before my eyes. This is not about the blame game or casting anyone in a negative light, it's about the sacred act of honoring oneself... in my opinion, Conan O'Brien executed it magnificently with his decision to leave NBC and with his final show on Friday, January 22nd.

We all have the opportunity to influence the next stage of our lives through the choices we make in the present moment. Conan was given the directive that his show would be moved to 12:05am and this directive caused great discomfort for him for many reasons. Conan had the self-esteem to recognize that this discomfort was actually his intuition guiding him to take charge of his life and make choices that will enhance his spirit. Guidance requires action, but it does not necessarily guarantee safety. Guidance will most often direct us on a new path and one of new cycles of learning that will ignite our creativity.

From the outside his decision seemed easy, because he would still be financially set and able to maintain a comfortable lifestyle, but this is about self-respect. You cannot put a price tag on self-respect. This was a decision about choosing to honor his spirit or his physical comfort and security. In his last show, he said this was the hardest decision he has ever made in his life... and I believe him. He had the responsibility of all those people on his staff who uprooted their families to move to Los Angeles and would now lose their jobs. He had his reputation on the line and he had the possibility that his contract would prevent him from working on television for a number of years. He was at a crossroads and he had to make a choice. Should he make a choice that's safe and provides physical security, or does he listen to the discomfort he is feeling and recognize this as guidance directing him to honor his spirit?

By choosing to quit his job, he broke free of familiar and safe patterns and chose to test-fly his own creativity. He was breaking away from corporate thought and establishing his own sense of authority. He was re-creating himself and his boundaries in the face of opposition, and he had the courage to express and maintain his boundaries, as well as his principles. He did all of this based on a genuine inner belief in himself. His goodbye statement was heart-felt and devoid of negativity. He showed dignity and character. He is a shining example of personal power and the sacred act of honoring oneself. I have no doubt, that now that his spirit is in command, the next stage of his life has been positively influenced by his choice to honor himself.