When did we become a celebrity, fame obsessed culture? At what point did we stop caring about the important things and replace it with an unhealthy obsession with the things that have little or no value?
The world, and Americans in particular, have seemingly become obsessed with “celebrities” and we consume every salacious, unsavory piece of gossip we can. The days when a child would say their hero was a Fireman or Policeman are long gone and now, many will name an athlete, movie star or worse…a reality TV star. Of course, not all of these people are bad, but when you think about it, what have they contributed to the world? What is it that makes a pro-athlete valuable enough to be paid $100 million per year? What makes a movie star worth $30 million per movie? The cold hard truth is most often, nothing.
I’m not against pro athletes or celebrities, but rather, I just don’t know what they have done for the world to make them worthy of our praise and hero worship. This piece about what and who are important in our world, is a fantastic reminder that we need to get our priorities straight and the sooner, the better:
Possibly the Most important thing you’ll read this Year…
The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the ‘Peanuts’ comic strip.
You don’t have to actually answer the questions. Just ponder on them. Just read it straight through, and you’ll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.
These are no second-rate achievers.
They are the best in their fields.
But the applause dies.
Awards tarnish …
Achievements are forgotten.
Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier?
The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money … or the most awards. They simply are the ones who care the most.
“Celebrity-worship and hero worship should not be confused. Yet we confuse them every day, and by doing so we come dangerously close to depriving ourselves of all real models. We lose sight of the men and women who do not simply seem great because they are famous but famous because they are great.” – Daniel Boorstin
