I’ve been negligent in getting my daily with God up here and I’m sorry…again. Today I’m deviating from the normal bible thumpin’ and brimstone layin’ to take a step back. Meaning to evaluate us. Not just you and me. Everyone. The Nation as a whole. From Hollyweird to The East Coasters and back again. Because I believe Reality is killing all of us. I’m talking about Reality Television. I’m sure I’m preaching to the choir on most of this (I would like to think all of this) but I’m going to bring God into this argument and sprinkle in some Christianity for good measure. Hopefully after I’m done mixing this little essay we’ll have something good to marinate on our brains.
With Balloon Boy it was exposed. We were all more or less aware of people who want to be famous. There’s all kinds from all corners. Some manage to find their niche in the world and make it their own by serving some kind of purpose. Whether it actually does something for anyone is anyone’s guess. Then there are those that seek it and fail repeatedly. It’s usually not a bad thing when they fail. They just keep on looking for that job or life that makes them happy, satisfied and supported. And then there’s the crazy ones. The ones that are hiding just below the radar of most people. Balloon Boy is one example. The White House Party crashers are another. These are the people who seek publicity, notoriety and the money that eventually comes with all those things.
They do not care about the rules, regulations or even the safety of those around them. They are focused on one goal and one goal only. To be at the top with lights shining and people adoring. Balloon Boy showed us the darkest of it all with the father taking his family into danger. Telling his children to lie to the police. And in the end completely destroying his children. The White House gatecrashers are another. The reality of the act they committed seems lost on them. They’ve got a lawyer who will tap dance for them until the real truth comes out and everything comes crashing down on them.
You see, you can’t do this much anymore in this day and age. Lies, half truths and the rest cannot hold the dam of truth back because all this information is now readily available at our fingertips. Between Google, Yahoo and Bing all your information is there to be seen. Not only that but those around you that you’ve either swindled or confided in are less likely to hold out for you because by loosing their lips and sinking your ship they’re bound to get on the television and sell you out. And look better for doing it then being caught later right along with you.
And so we’ve come to accept these people in our world for the most part. Balloon Boy shocked us all with as huge hurricane of cold water to our collective faces. How could someone be so callous? How could a husband and wife have so little regard for their brood to ignore all common sense to believe that we’d at the end of the day not start digging into their closets filled with dusty skeletons? The White House Crashers amused me until the details started coming out. Breaking Laws? Lying to nearly everyone? And proud of it?
What has happened to us?
I don’t have all the answers but I think I have a piece of the puzzle. Humility. We’ve all (hopefully) been humbled at least once (in some cases everyday) in our lives and most of us will attest that it was one of the better things to happen to us. I’ve had it happen more times than I can count (and I can hope for more!) and have found that moment where my pride and puffed up chest collapse as if a popped balloon to be moments I treasure and remember daily.
Mind you if you’re very good at what you do and do it exceptionally well you’re allowed a little pomp and pride. What I’m referring to is people who’ve never had their reality crosschecked into the glass or when they were simply put their head in the air and kept on walking blind to the the message. Beating the odds is one thing but becoming one is not altogether pleasant.
I’ve learned a lot in my 27 or so years following and walking with God. Some I’ve talked about here while others of those lessons are waiting to be told. What I do know is that being humble, merciful, patient and gracious are far more appreciated qualities then being rich, powerful and full of it. I look at much of what I see in Hollywood and entertainment. I see some greatness in people. But only some.
When will we start fighting back against what is killing our culture, family and future?
As Mikey says in “The Goonies”, “It all starts here.”
Feel free to agree, disagree or give another perspective in comments.
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