Anyone out there can name the “Rat Pack” members? The “Rat Pack” refers to the raucous, partying, drinking, womanizing male friends that entertained and cavorted together, mostly around the Las Vegas area in the 1960s. Most people can name singers Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin as the best known members of the Rat Pack. Peter Lawford, Joey Bishop and Sammy Davis Jr. round out the “Rat Pack”.
Sammy Davis Jr. was an incredibly talented singer and entertainer, and if not for the color of his skin, would have been perhaps even more popular than Sinatra and Martin given his incredible voice and talents. One of his famous songs, aside from “Candy Man” and “Mr. Bojangles” was an inspirational song called “I’ve Got To Be Me” (watch below).
Here are the first few stanzas:
Whether I’m right or whether I’m wrong
Whether I find a place in this world or never belong
I gotta be me, I’ve gotta be me
What else can I be but what I am
I want to live, not merely survive
And I won’t give up this dream
Of life that keeps me alive
I gotta be me, I gotta be me
The dream that I see makes me what I am
That far away prize, a world of success
Is waiting for me if I heed the call
I won’t settle down, won’t settle for less
As long as there’s a chance that I can have it all
Bringing this to the weight control arena: Take a step back and evaluate “me” (i.e. YOU) as this relates to behavioral patterns. Is “me” someone that:
- Must have high caloric snacks at night
- Cannot be around people downing alcohol and carbs and NOT join them
- Habitually has glasses of wine every night
- Turns to the pantry or freezer for dietary-busting sources when under stress
- “Diets” as opposed to committing to a long-term behavioral change
The point: If “Me” is the person that cannot sustain healthy behavioral patterns, you do NOT “Gotta be Me”. Much of your individualism, creativity and contribution to your family and society has zero to do with your eating patterns. Be “Me” in every aspect of your life but you do NOT “Gotta Be Me” in those deleterious, unhealthy behavioral patterns.
Now, enjoy a truly great singer, Mr. Sammy Davis, Jr.
