Who knew Sterling K. Brown would win for Best Actor in a Drama series? It’s been 19 years since that last happened for an African-American actor. The winner then is someone who shares a similar journey as Brown. But of-course, Brown wouldn’t have had enough time to tell that story from the Emmy stage.

His acceptance speech was cut short by show producers. He and Kyrie Irving will get lots of opportunities to tell their stories of test & triumph in the coming months. Irving is set to play for a new team in the Boston Celtics after leaving the Cavaliers. Their stories make some wanna cheer Brown and jeer Irving.

For Brown it’s been a wild ride of playing parts that gave him more experience and exposure. For Irving it’s about trying to take on a new role of team leader without Lebron James in the picture. Their career moves and landing those dream spots remind us of having to “stay in fate and stay in flow.”

This made more sense to me from a recent trip. We departed on time, had a fairly calm flight and were moving right along to our destination. Then the pilot announced that we’d been circling for a while as the air traffic control wasn’t ready for our arrival. He said we’d be in a holding pattern for another 15 minutes.

That happens with airplanes as it does for dreams yet to unfold. As fate would have it, there’s a place for which our dreams will land. But sometimes the venue where we’re supposed to land isn’t quite ready for our arrival. There may even be some clouds in the area that’s causing reduced visibility.

There’s no reason for the destination to change. Similarly there’s often no reason for our destiny to change either. So we go through a holding pattern until the right circumstances to land that gig. That’s how Brown might describe his fate as a student from Stanford to NYU to Emmy winner as his acting idol.

Irving sees his decision to move on from the Cavaliers as a fresh start. Yea he won an NBA championship but now he wants to make a ‘destiny turn’ and land his dreams somewhere else. Whether working on that career breakthrough or on landing that next dream spot, the key is staying in flow.

That’s been the latest chapter of my own story. Having done ten years as a Computer Engineer, 5 years doing community radio, two years as Community TV host and many years as an author, commentator and blogger, that next dream spot seems to be just a ‘holding pattern’ away from my career destination.

After going around in circles but staying in flow, the pilot announced that we were cleared to land. The usual reminder of returning seat-back to upright position and returning items to overhead bin was made. Within 10 to 15 minutes we landed at our destination and the passengers started clapping in unison.

That’s kinda what Brown experienced when he won for Best Actor. His peers shared their excitement. He landed his role on NBCs This is Us after having a breakout role in FXs People vs O.J. Simpson series. Let’s see if Irving can change jeers to cheers by deliver an NBA championship in Boston.

Tip: To talk and walk like a winner is to keep your passion on point by staying in fate and staying in flow towards your destiny.

Talkback: What’s it gonna take for Irving to bring a championship to Boston or for Brown to land his next dream role?

Tracks: Buju Banton – Champion – https://youtu.be/TsrKloxhfaw

Marques Houston – Circle – https://youtu.be/0sS4zJNp_10