15 Minutes of Fame

by Dr. Cherry Collier

Lesson – Each of us is a celebrity and that simply means we deserve to be celebrated.


Summary – Sometimes we are so bombarded with various events, people, and massive to-do lists that we don’t take time out for self. We have to learn to take time for the most important person in our lives. What I am encouraging through this lesson is for you to celebrate your life – renew your mind, body, and soul each day. I often hear people say they don’t have time for exercise or time for themselves. They don’t have time for self-renewal. Well, I am requesting you take 15 minutes each day and let that be your 15 minutes of fame. During this time you should only focus on you. You can read passages from motivational books, you can read the Bible or another inspirational text, or you can journal. However you decide to do it, just do it. The point is to really connect with yourself. You cannot help others if you do not first make sure that you have what you need.

One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned came while sitting on an airplane. I had just delivered a seminar and was headed home. I was exhausted, and I was tired, hungry, and late. I plopped down in my seat and half-heartedly listened to the message from the flight attendant that I had heard hundreds of times before. So frequently had I heard the speech, this time I was actually saying it along with her. A portion of the speech went something like this: “In case of loss of cabin pressure, please apply your oxygen mask first before assisting others.” When she said that, a light bulb went off in me. I began to realize that while it might be a necessary procedure in flight, it is also a necessary procedure in daily life. Get this: if you don’t have oxygen for yourself, you can’t help anybody. Not anybody. You can’t even help your dog. It’s an absolute must – take care of yourself first. 

I have never seen a car that was out of gas, moving down the street. At least not without someone or something pushing it along. When the car is on E, it may go a little bit longer, but at some point, when the car is completely out of gas, it stops. If you spend time refueling your mind, your body, your spirit daily, you will not run out of gas. Think about it. As you operate on E, everything and every person you come in contact with can be a challenge. You think you’re doing your child, your mate, your boss, your colleague, a favor by working on E, but let’s be honest…you can’t give what you don’t have. The only way for you to acquire what you don’t have is to spend time each day learning and exploring and focusing on you.
Train your mind to bring you positive things. Train your mind to bring you what you want. Use your 15 minutes of fame as an armor. That 15 minutes, when used correctly, is going to protect your thoughts. Don’t forget the remaining 23 hours and 45 minutes of the day. After all, every 60 seconds you still have to make a choice…I’m requesting that you always choose to be positive and that you take control of your emotions.


Action – Choose an activity, just for yourself, that you will perform for 15 minutes of each day for the next month. Meditate, pray, read in a scented bubble bath, write in your personal journal, whatever is relaxing and empowering to you. Notice the difference in your outlook and performance at the end of this time period.