ANCIENT& not so ancient WISDOM
offering a weekly positive perspective

January 22, 2004

I still have a lot to learn - about the business, about music, and about myself. It's exciting.

- Britney Spears, (1981 - )

Seriously, what can we learn from Britney? Born December 2, 1981 in Kentwood, LA and educated at Disney, Off-Broadway Dance Center in New York and the Professional Peforming Arts School, she is successful in her field - very successful. Maybe we can learn alot (or at least enough). least enough). I've included some quotes from Britney below and when you reference the photo shown, it's obvious that she's willing to make decisions that involve change.

If you're worried about what you've said in the past and what people will think about you if you change to be successful, then read some of her quotes below. Would you be focused and willing to change if the entire world had an opinion about every move you made? It takes courage, a belief in yourself, a willing to risk loss, and dependency
 on others for advice. I can't tell you if she's happy or unhappy, healthy or unhealthy, or even if she's receiving the results she wants. I can only say you have a duty to pursue a career you desire to be the best that you can be in contribution to others, even if no one else believes you should follow that path.

In the meantime, we can ask ourselves the hard questions about what we want. We can make decisions to take our career and our lives in the direction we desire. And if we're willing to take the risks and withstand the opinions of others, we can achieve what we desire if we are willing to face the change - even the change within ourselves.

Some of Britney's quotes:

• I always listen to 'NSYNC's Tearin' Up My Heart. It reminds me to wear a bra.
  
• I don't want to pierce anything. I think it's outdated. Belly rings and all are, like, old.  
  
• What's the big deal? I have really strong morals, and just because I look sexy on the cover of Rolling Stone doesn't mean I'm a naughty girl. I'd do it again. I thought the pictures were fine. And I was tired of being compared to Debbie
  Gibson and all of this bubblegum pop all the time.
  
• I remember I read this harsh review about my show, and one of my friends told me that this was the exact same stuff people said about Madonna. And it's like, she didn't care. Madonna just came out and was herself. I respect that a lot. 
  
• I wish my hair was thicker, and I wish my feet were prettier. My toes are really ugly. I wish my ears were smaller. And my nose could be smaller too.
  
• The cool thing about being famous is traveling. I have always wanted to travel across seas, like to Canada and stuff.  
  
• I don't understand the whole dating thing. I know right off the bat if I'm interested in someone, and I don't want them to waste their money on me and take me out to eat if I know I'm not interested in that person.
  
• I don't want people kissing my butt. If I had a bad show and I know it, don't tell me I had a good show. I hate that. I guess because I'm 17, people think I don't see stuff like that.  
  
• I want to be an artist that everyone can relate to, that's young, happy and fun.
  
• I go out with friends, but I don't have time to get in trouble. 
  
• I don't really have time to sit down and write. But when I think of a melody, I call up my answering machine and sing it, so I won't forget it. 
   
• I know not everyone will like me, but this is who I am so if you don't like it, tough!

 In service to you, and wishing you great and continued success!

Sincerely,