Chadwick Boseman: 10 Lessons To Learn From His Courageous Approach To Life

Today, I watched the August Wilson adaptation of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and I was blown away.

You see I’ve been having a tough couple of weeks at work. Feeling incompetent. Making ghastly mistakes. Feeling very unlike myself.

And then I watch Chadwick Boseman even though, privately battling cancer, kill the role like he was born “Levee”. And I ask myself, what really is my excuse?

What can I possibly be going through that will deter me from bringing my a-game every time I have to work?

From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more, Chadwick gave several award-winning performances during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy.

I’m my own biggest critic and biggest cheerleader. If Enitan doesn’t like something, Enitan won’t put it out there. If Enitan doesn’t ok something, it’s not going anywhere.

So when I battle internal struggles that basically stop me I want to be able to come back here to pick on some of these lessons, I learnt from Chadwick:

• Set Clear Boundaries. What’s work is work and what’s personal is personal.
• Never Give Up On Your Dreams.
• Live Life. Really live it, not just a semblance of it.
• Don’t Conform. Break moulds and change the box.
• Stereotypes Are Not For You. Don’t give in to them.
• Death Is The Only Inevitable Thing Asides Change. Don’t live in constant fear of it.
• Be A Glass Half-Full Kinda Girl. There is good in everything and everyone. Always consciously choose to find it.
• You’re Gifted. Use those gifts. Don’t let them go to waste.
• Never Be So Close-minded As To Pass Off Hurtful Comments. You never know what anyone is going through.
• And Finally, Give People Their Accolades While They’re Still Here. Don’t be shy with the encouragement and congratulatory messages.

All of these lessons can be applied to your personal relationships and work.

The major point here is to “Be a light!”

Like one of my favourite verses of the Bible, Matt. 5: 14–16 says;

“You are the light of the world — like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

Lots of Love!

- Pookie!