What Denzel Washington Can Teach Us About Humility
You have to live it to know it
Thirty-odd years ago I was fortunate enough to be chosen from a group of journalists to interview Denzel Washington over dinner for his movie Cry Freedom (Dir: Attenborough 1987).
I got to remind him of that encounter when I attended the UK premiere of Fences in 2017. Thirty years ago, he had told me he was most proud of being able to buy his mother a house. I wanted to know what he was now proud of, three decades on? Here’s his answer:
Notice the difference in Denzel’s in answers to the same question? In his early thirties, he was much more focused on his own achievements – the house for his mom, getting the film parts, making a difference.
Thirty years on, he genuinely struggled to think of something he took pride in – until he remembered what he considers most important: His children.
Therein lies the humility that can come to us all with age and maturity. The realisation that our personal attainments have far less import than we gave them in our youth.
This is not to say we shouldn’t have dreams and goals to aim for. Of course, our achievements are über important. Rather, we needn’t allow our egos to get attached to our accomplishments.
Thirty years ago, he had told me he was most proud of being able to buy his mother a house. I wanted to know what he was now proud of, three decades on?
Recognising that despite the kind of success a world-renowned actor like Denzel has, his emphasis is outside of these, sheds clarity on the stature of our triumphs.
Yes, you can think bigger and better; setting ever-higher goals and taking on new challenges. And those are all good things.
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But you know what really excites you in the end? The achievements of those you love. Watching them develop and surmount the self-same obstacles you once did.
It feels good to know, with all his fame, successes, money, what ultimately Denzel feels the deepest satisfaction about is – not those things.
There’s a lovely story about how Black Panther lead actor Chadwick Boseman found out after the fact that a benefactor who made such a difference to his acting studies was none other than Denzel.
No matter what we set our sights on – this year, the next decade, or even the next thirty years – let us remember that in the end, true success is altruistic.
©️marla bishop 2020
Marla Bishop is a writer and relationship coach specialising in helping others live a life they love. She lives in London UK with her husband and youngest two children. You can read more of her writings here: Lilith
