We all want to be something when we grow up. Whether that is a doctor, a lawyer, a veterinarian, a teacher, or a nurse, we all have a dream that involves how we will be approached later on in life. My dream is to one day be called Dr. Collins. I am a die-hard "Grey's Anatomy" fan. I'm one of those fans where there isn't an episode that I haven't seen, I could quote episodes line-for-line, and I wish those doctors were real. I love the show. So, when I found out that one of my favorite doctors, April Kepner (aka Sarah Drew), was giving the valediction speech at The University of Virginia's commencement on May 20, 2016, I was beyond elated!
Overall, I was thoroughly overjoyed by and very happy with the speech that she gave. It was inspiring and she is very down to earth. She told a story of her time on the set of the movie "Radio" and what one of her most memorable moments in her acting career was. However, out of everything, one thing stuck out to me over many of the others. It was when she asked the question, "What do you do when the camera isn't on you?" The question really got me thinking. What do I do when the camera isn't on me? Is there anything that I have done for someone else, or even for myself, that I haven't posted to social media for the attention and the approval of others? Is there something that I have done that I didn't need someone to know that I had done? What do I do when the camera isn't on me? Are they things that I would be happy with if people were to find out?
I hope so.
Her speech was one of the most inspiring commencement addresses that I have ever heard. Although I would have loved to have gone to Charlottesville to hear her valediction speech, I know that watching it streamed live was just as real. It would have been cool to have been at the meet and greet afterwards, but I still got cold chills while she was talking, just as I would have if I were sitting in the front row.
"Most of the time there aren't cameras rolling, but life is always rolling. And if you're paying attention, in your spirit, you will hear the words "and action" every day."
Do amazing things even when the camera isn't on you.
Show up to everything. Be there.
If you fail to show up, you aren't doing what you're supposed to do for the other people in your scene.
Honestly, anyone who can get a fake c-section without anesthesia and still act it out and make it as believable as anything knows how to show up and do what she's supposed to do. Also, without a doubt, I have a feeling that she shows up even when the camera isn't rolling. I hope that I can too.
Are you ready?
And action!
Video by: KrystalKaptured
