Copyright © 2004-2005 Geela
Author of "The American Dream"
http://www.Geela.com
Quote of the month: "The secret weapon for success is knowledge,
so what you don't know can hurt you. – Geela
These days there is a growing trend towards reality TV shows that
are based on external shallow values. With the appeal of junk
food, it has a powerful hypnotic effect even on the strongest
minds. But while reality TV may seem like a harmless form of
entertainment, the damage (which is done so subtly) is very
powerful and therefore it deserves a closer look. So the
question is "Do we really need another reality TV show or perhaps
it's time for a reality check?"
The popularity of reality TV shouldn't come as a surprise
considering the fact that we live in a culture that worships
vanity, rather than virtue, and lives by the mantra of "He with
the most toys lives," rather than "He with the most joys lives."
It's been said that circumstances don't make a man, they only
reveal him. Likewise, reality TV is merely a reflection of what
our society has become - a materialistically driven society where
the love of power and money overcomes the power of love. It's a
reflection of a society that is not only devoid of a solid
wholesome value system, but is also separated from spiritual
roots. It's also a culture that thrives on living on the edge,
characterized by thrill-seeking and addictions (including the
addiction to stimulation).
So here is the true reality behind reality TV. Reality TV, which
is in the business of making us feel good rather than be good,
actually contributes to the growing problems in our society by
celebrating human weakness rather than human excellence. Reality
TV doesn't empower us, but rather overpowers us by taking our
innate power and inner knowing and spirituality away from us,
leaving us feeling insecure, inadequate, less fulfilled, isolated
and confused by virtue of the promotion of anti-social behavior,
excessive self-indulgence, self-entitlement, greed, compromised
integrity, obsession with winning at all costs, and erosion in
morality.
When you consider the magnitude of the challenges that are facing
America today, it becomes obvious that what we need is certainly
not another mind-numbing reality TV show, but rather a good
reality check. Whether we recognize it or not, America is in
desperate need of healing and true revival. It needs a jump- start, not only in the economy, but most importantly a jump-start
in the spirit. After all, we are only as strong as our spirit,
because when the spirit is weak it's easier to become overwhelmed
by what life throws our way. But when the spirit is strong, no
turbulences can effect us, much like a ship in the vast ocean
that can sail smoothly as long as there are no holes in it to
make it sink.
America could use a reality check if only to reexamine our value
system, which is out of balance and has led to social ills and
failing systems and institutions. In a conflicted state of
uncertainty, doubt and fear, it's only natural for people to feel
overwhelmed, wishing to escape from reality. However, reality TV
proves only an artificial relief. It's obvious that we are
looking for love (real joy, fulfillment, meaning and purpose) in
all the wrong places. In a culture that demands instant
gratification, and relief from everyday anxieties, a quick fix
(for coping), seems to be the chosen drug of choice.
So now for that reality check. The reality is that the
prevailing mentality in American society today is "more is
better," acquiring external riches as opposed to internal riches
and that you can get something for nothing. There is a sense of
entitlement and an expectation of wanting the good life without
having to work hard for it. This is reinforced, glorified and
perpetuated by the media with shows like "The Lifestyle of The
Rich and Famous." When all you see is glamour, but not the hard
work and sacrifice that goes into achieving success, it only
inspires more envy and the desire for a "get rich quick" scheme
leading to the erosion of morality and integrity.
>From environmental pollution to spiritual pollution, we can no
longer ignore our failing systems and institutions. From an
Enron economy with ballooning budget deficits (which is really a
reflection of a deficit in integrity) and a vanishing social
security system (which creates social insecurity) to politicians
doing what's politically correct instead of what's in the best
interest of the community, to a failing education system as
reflected in poor test scores which lag behind those of other
nations, to the break-down of the family system (where kids find
themselves home alone growing up with their peers, gangs or TV
without nurturing parents to instill in them solid wholesome
values system), we are planning to fail by default.
Our spiritual bankruptcy is evident practically in every facet of
our lives, resulting in social ills from perversion, to the
phenomenon of people going from being heroes to zero. We can no
longer ignore the senseless violence in our schools and crime on
our streets, increased teen suicide (often due to hopelessness,
low self-esteem, lack of direction and a solid, wholesome value
system) and substance abuse. Americans are more stressed out
today than ever before despite the fact that we have the highest
standard of living in the entire world. The true reality is that
America is going, slowly but surely, from being a nation of
producers and innovators to a nation of insatiable consumers
(even the holidays are too commercialized to enjoy) while
drowning in debt just to support a lifestyle we can't even
afford. All of these problems can be traced to the pursuit of
materialism, which is a by-product of the American Dream.
But rather then play the "blame game," it's far more productive
to approach the reality TV issue in terms of what you can do to
improve your own life. A reality check is a good starting point.
Remember, the true spirit of the American Dream was all about
perspiration, innovation, risk and reward with the focus on a
wholesome values system, integrity, a strong work ethic,
community and being of service. All of which creates total
prosperity (from health to wealth) with purpose, meaning and real
joy. Now that's a reality worth striving for!
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Copyright © 2004-2005, Geela
Author of "The American Dream"
http://www.Geela.com
Geela is an award winning singer/songwriter/composer, columnist,
and author of the best-selling book "THE AMERICAN DREAM," her
true- life story of how she came to America as a young immigrant
with nothing and overcame incredible obstacles to achieve
mega-success. She founded ONE SPIRIT, ONE WORLD to help children
and promote a culture of peace and harmony. Get a free sample of
her music and her book at http://www.Geela.com