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I always become sappy this time of year because of the Holidays, and because I get to catch up and see how my friends are doing through the ART of Holiday Cards.

I just received this Holiday card from Quincy Jones, and it inspired me to reflect on the fun memories I have growing up knowing such an incredible man.

I promised you all that I would share with you stories that are personal and insightful about people whom we all "read about," but whom I have been lucky to know.

Here is one of my favorite Quincy Jones Story. :-)

Many years ago, Quincy Jones was staying with my family while Michael Jackson was on tour and performing in Minneapolis.

OK ... so, yes, Quincy is a family friend; but he is also a genius when it comes to spotting talent.

Q had just finished producing a pilot for TV called The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. He asked my family and I to watch the pilot show and tell him what we thought. Well, after laughing to the point of stomach aches, we told him that we LOVED the show but were curious about the Fresh Prince, a.k.a. Will Smith.

Quincy told us that Will Smith was not just an upcoming Rapper but a
very talented young man who could sing, dance, act, and was hungry. :-)

As the man that made Michael Jackson a household name and had us all dancing to "Beat it" and "Thriller"........ How could he be wrong?

Well, he wasn't!

Will Smith was a hit on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air — which is now at the top of the ratings in re-runs — and now he's a Box Office God on the big screen.

Did you see I am Legend? Well, even if you didn't, a lot of other people did — which is why it is number ONE at the box office!

As much as we all, as a society, resist ceding credit — and more money — to the rich and famous, maybe we should all remind ourselves of this: Will Smith was just a young rapper with a dream. He got discovered by the RIGHT person and is now a SUPERSTAR
with another number ONE movie at the box office.

You too have the same opportunity to be discovered.

How? ... Well, come up with a great idea. ... Be willing to knock on A LOT of doors. ... And to quote Will Smith, "Be genuine." You never know who will discover you; and if THEY do, NEVER take your lucky break for granted, because there will always be someone right behind you that is just as hungry and willing to work just as hard.

Don't take my word for it. Just look at Will Smith: He's the perfect example of how hard work, talent, and appreciation can pay off personally and financially!!!