Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Becoming a Star!




Becoming a Star!

In this entertainment saturated society, it seems as if the dream of several Americans is to become rich and famous. This is why lottery tickets and TV will never go out of style in our culture. And even those who don’t necessarily look for the limelight, wouldn’t mind putting their mug on camera for a 15 second sound byte. Even so, those who stay completely away from the stage or the camera altogether still love to “star-gaze” their favorite actor, singer, athlete, politician, or hero. And instead having a long hard road to stardom, being famous nowadays is a little more common thanks to Reality-TV.
This industry turns ordinary people into instant celebrities, making being famous a real and vivid possibility for some. But I would like to know, “What is it about being on TV that makes a person feel validated? Why does having fame and influence make a person feel important?” Whatever the answer is depends on our hierarchy of needs vs. fulfillment. But in our American culture, one thing for certain is that we are society of "star"-worshippers.

Since being a star is a popular and highly sought after career choice, it seems as though that by today's standards, pre-requisites don’t exist. Anybody can be a star! (See William Hung) Whether you’re a flash in the pan, overnight sensation, or a mainstay, nowadays the bar for entering into stardom is very low. A person can go from being a MySpace star to a music industry star in a matter of months! (Why is that?) In this instance I hate the game and the player because they, as public figures, give the notion that little-to-no effort is required to be a star. This notion is the reason why America's schools are filled with dreamy-eyed hopefuls. People, with little-to-no skill set or formal training, think they can "make-it" with 1 or 2 auditions. Contemporary fame accidentally sends the message that "you can get here with minimal effort." (See American Idol tryouts) Our stars need to portray a stronger message. Whether they are overnight sensations, or have been in business for the past 20 years, I believe stars have 2 specific roles to play in society.

A) True to the positioning of stars in relation to the Earth, they're supposed to inspire us to look and reach upwards.
B) True to the nature of stars, their role is being a beacon of light in dark places.

Allow me to explain the roles in more detail. Any kind of celebrity (musician, comedians, movie-star, TV-personality, radio personality, politician, etc) can do 1 of several things. From least to greatest they can:
  1. Distract
  2. Amuse
  3. Entertain or
  4. Inspire.
But in all of these verbs, each deals with your attention and well being.
Let's start at the very base of stardom; a celebrity can "distract" your attention. At this level a star simply has caused a diversion of your attention away from whatever your stream of consciousness was. Whether they are a gospel singer, a TV-Talk show host, or a favorite comedian, they said or did something to cause you to be temporarily distracted from your activity. The problem with this level is that is does nothing to enhance your well being or add to your consciousness. It simply was a distraction. You may have chuckled, had a 10 second thought pattern, or even just gazed in their general direction, but it did not contribute to your day. Sadly, many media sources are simply happy with your attention. The they are not concerned with what kind of attention it is. Ever heard of that phrase, "Any publicity is good publicity"? As long as you looked and listened their way, they're satisfied.

Next, let's take a look at the word amuse. This word is heavily overrated. The root word muse means "to think, meditate, and ponder." Normally, when you put an 'A' in front of the word, it takes on a canceling or a neutralizing effect. (a-typical, a-nonymous, a-sexual, etc) But not so in this case. This 'a' is more similar to the 'put' or 'add thereto' as in "amass, amaze, or ablaze". Therefore, I believe that a more accurately defined meaning of amusement is when you give mental assent for someone, or something, to add or put something in your thinking or meditation. The only problem with this level is that the item that is suggested for your amusement can be good or bad. This level reminds me why I like jazz and other instrumental music. See, I'm a big fan of following my streams of consciousness and meditations. And I often find that music with lyrics is often interruptive and very intrusive. In other words lyrical music is saying, "For the next 4 minutes and 15 seconds I want you to think about the following topic." I also have a disdain for commercials and am an avid of satellite radio. Instead of being amused with my program of choice on TV or radio for an uninterrupted period of time, I'm usually interrupted with the suggestion that I should drink Pepsi Cola or that I should turn my scrap gold jewelry into cash now. What if I don't want to think about that? Too late! The commercial is already within earshot and it’s up to me to delete the thought in my mind. Back to the word amusing, it simply is a person, place or thing that gives you food for your thought life. Good or bad, take it or leave it.

Next is entertain. Entertainment has better value than the previous two stages. Entertain gives the same prefix 'en' as to 'mutually welcome-in' or enter; meaning the recipient heartily and readily allows the subject into their state of being. Whether the subject matter is a single thought or a 1/2 hour sitcom, the recipient eagerly entertains the item, normally, because it brings general or great pleasure. Entertainment usually offers something of noted value, thereby enhancing or enthralling the listener/viewer. Entertainment can bring laughter to the depressed, comfort to the loner, and preoccupation to the bored; amongst many other positives. So although entertainment has significant value and worth, I encourage all stars not to be content at this level only. Go for the highest level of stardom in that of inspiration.

Inspiration has the highest level of worth to offer. It spiritually "lifts" the recipient from where they are, to a desired place or state of mind or being. I like how self-help author and lecturer Dr. Wayne Dyer points out how "inspiration" is very close in kind to the words "in-spirit". When you inspire people, you are in a very real sense connecting to their spirit, 'in-spirit', and are giving them a positive perspective, enhancement and motivation to do, be, or think what they hadn't considered before. This is the ultimate in human achievement. This is the point where stars ought to use their realm of influence (star-power) for the good of star-gazers. Sadly, many stars only see entertaining or inspiring as by-products to their vain quest to be rich and famous. In VERITAS, the purpose of stars is strictly for the benefit of people, not for themselves. The benefits of being a star (money, power, respect) should only be the by-product.


Lastly, a star is obligated to be a beacon of light in dark places. True to its nature, stars illuminate what would otherwise be a dark, unending perspective. Though the stars don't change the ominous backdrop itself, it does provide glitters of light, hope, and perspective. And the darker the night-sky, the brighter they shine. This is very similar to our human "stars." For a large majority of people on Earth, life is dark, dismal, and un-inspiring at best. Human-stars tend to radiate the spiritual vibe of light, hope, and inspiration; and the darker the perspective, the better they shine. This is why self-interests or greed cannot be in the personality of a star. Being a star has nothing to do with feeding ones' ego as it does with inspiring others to reach higher, go farther, or to be encouraged.

In closing, I personally encourage YOU the reader to discover and wholeheartedly explore your potentiality. You have the rest of your life ahead of you. For those who are aspiring to become "rich and famous" in whatever discipline, please make sure you are doing it for the right reasons. Check your ego and insecurities at the front door. Also, please know that becoming a star and staying a star are 2 completely different things. Whereas your personality and connections may get you in the door, hard work plus skill will keep the door open; there are no shortcuts. When you take shortcuts in life, you cut yourself short. For those who are already of noted fame and/or influence or, if you're just a "Joe-The Plumber" kind of work-a-day person with an nominal level of influence, considering the tough criteria it takes to be a true star, (whether you're distracting, amusing, entertaining or inspiring and being a beacon of light) I implore you to let your light shine! And I wish you all the best in becoming a star!