A Humble Heart Keeps Pace
By Markisha Bunn

Humble: not proud or haughty; not arrogant or assertive. Is it easy to stay humble when fame is introduced into a person’s life? When people find out I have written a book of poetry their attitudes immediately change. They behave as if I have acquired a new status level that is above them. I am still the same person I was before I began sharing my poetry with the world but I can see how easy it is to slip out of balance into the ‘do you know who I am?’ mindset.

I witnessed this struggle for balance in myself during the Tri County Comic Convention in West Palm Beach, FL the weekend of December 28 – 30, 2007. Actors, actresses, entertainers, impersonators, magicians, and authors were in attendance. Immediately I was in awe seeing these people who entertained me during my childhood and throughout puberty. At first I felt intimidated and nervous until the reality set in that they are normal people just like I am. Being surrounded by these people who are portrayed as bigger than life reminded me of how blessed I am to have the opportunity to network with them. I thought to myself, “who am I compared to them?” I am a poet from Philadelphia who had the chance to appear alongside celebrities such as Jim ‘Anvil’ Neidhart (WWE), Walter Keonig (Star Trek TOS), Priscilla Barnes (The Devil’s Rejects) and Jeffrey Breslauer (Police Academy V). As a fan, I had the experience of having a celebrity become annoyed with me when I mentioned how I recognized her. I was a fan since childhood but after witnessing her reaction to me I saw her as she is: a normal person like me who has good days and bad days. I had to realize for myself that being recognized by strangers can be exhausting at some times and rewarding at others. Being gracious for every opportunity, every moment that allows you to change your life is how I stay humble.