Pivot for Success

7Seeking Positivity

Positive thoughts and people are necessities, not luxuries.

MY DEAR FRIEND SUSAN Taylor and I first met when I was a sophomore at Howard University, around 1972, and she had just become the Beauty Editor at Essence magazine. She came to campus looking for students to profile in the magazine. She was breathtakingly gorgeous, with a distinctive bald head at the time, wearing a glamorous outfit accessorized with bold jewelry. Of course, I came decked out in the best fabulousness I could afford at the time, thinking I would definitely be chosen to be profiled. I wasn't and was truly disappointed. But what I remember about meeting her was her graciousness as she met each student during the interviews. She made each of us feel beautiful.

Susan and I met again after I started working for Gillette in the 1980s, and by then she was Editor in Chief. Essence actually did profile me in 1983 as one of their “Women on the Move,” and I was so gratified by that. Susan and I became friends over the years as I worked with Essence on several advertising campaigns in my different marketing roles. We talked about navigating life and how I learned so much from her speeches and books.

Several years ago, I was at a women's conference where Susan was the keynote speaker. When we talked after the conference, I told her about a challenge I was having with someone I considered difficult. Susan then shared this profound wisdom with me, and it has stayed with me since: Everyone can't ...