The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Kanye West Interrupts Taylor Swift at the VMAs
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Protests

What do Joe Wilson, Kanye West, and Serena Williams have in common? A formerly unknown congressman, a well-known rapper and an accomplished athlete are an unlikely trio living in unrelated worlds, yet their recent behavior will connect them in our minds for a lifetime.

Boil down all the post-incident commentary, reprimands and rationalizing, I think it’s as simple as this: they each lost their cool. And, importantly, more than just experiencing big emotions, they became their emotions.

Reacting to who and what was before them, they lost control because they wanted so badly to be in control. The paradox is profound. This out-of-control grasping triggered their now-famous “autopilot” behavior. In each case, they forged ahead with an air of entitlement and bold assertion of “truth.” None of their assertions were truth, however. They were merely opinion.

It’s not my intention to jump on the bandwagon of negativity or heroism for any of the three. That only reinforces more bad behavior. Instead, I’m suggesting that we learn to self-manage our emotions and rise to a higher, more centered way of being. Will we fall down at times? You bet. But, let’s begin with higher aspirations and expect more of ourselves so that, in time, we may become more.

How do we begin, you ask? Energy follows attention. Let’s give our attention to the people who deserved it: President Obama, Taylor Swift and Kim Clijsters.

Shine on with your higher self!