Katie Couric The Best Advice I Ever Got, Part 28

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I am a sucker for musicals. I know the words to almost every song written by Rodgers and Hammerstein. In fact, if I could have a career in anything besides TV, and if I had the God-given talent, I would be a Broadway-musical star. When I auditioned for my high school musical Carnival, I had fantasies of getting the lead role of Lily. Unfortunately, that went to Laurie Kittler. I was cast as a deaf person who didn't speak. But I digress. I recently saw a revival of one of my very favorite musicals, South Pacific, at Lincoln Center. I was struck by the prescient lyrics sung by Lieutenant Cable:
   
    You've got to be taught to be afraid
    Of people whose eyes are oddly made,
    And people whose skin is a different shade,
    You've got to be carefully taught.

    You've got to be taught to be accepting and kind and open-minded. You've got to be taught to stand up for the kid who's getting bullied. You've got to be taught to speak out and take a stand against all kinds of bad behavior.
    Being a good person pays off. If you're kind and generous to your coworkers, they'll celebrate your success. It will also keep your head from getting too big. When I was promoted to co-anchor of the Today show, a crusty older producer who'd seen it all told me something I'll never forget. “Kid,” he said, holding his cigarette languidly, “today you may be drinking the wine. Tomorrow you could be picking the grapes.” In other words, don't get too big for your britches, kid. All those people you pass as you climb the ladder of success could be the same ones who will catch if you fall.