| HARMONY/DISCORD |
 |
 |
| I wonder how many "successful" people in the world today can recount the names of all the people who helped and supported them while they perfected their craft and established themselves in the "public eye". Specifically speaking, I'm referring to those "starving artist" days (years!) when there is no cash to buy food, pay for accommodations either "on the road or off", or to replenish equipment and supplies needed for those all-important "practice" sessions. The potential "rising star" often has to lean on those dearest and/or nearest to them for financial/emotional support. But how many of those supporters fall by the roadside when it comes time to be acknowledged? And what about "stars" who feel it is perfectly fine to associate with certain persons when the assistance is needed and then consider them "disposable" once their "star" status rises? I have oftentimes witnessed families, friendships and marital relationships torn apart because of out-of-control egos and short-term memories. What is it about fame that drives people to such destructive (and sometimes self-destructive) behaviour? Ask any rich and/or famous personality today if they are "happy" and the answer is often "no", well, at least after the initial excitement wears off. Sometimes all it takes for a person to become famous is a "touch" or connection with someone who is already famous (by association, if you will). Other times an individual may have to search for year for that "right" door to knock on before becoming "recognized" for their talent. But the result of fame remains the same - a partial or total transformation in character and attitude, usually for the worse, in the celebrity, and usually a drastic change in their lifestyle and usually the people they associate with. Gone is the precious anonymity once thought to be boring and frustrating. Gone, too, is the delicious privacy necessary to explore and/or develop a new personal relationship (or to maintain an existing one). Every word spoken or action taken is scrutinized meticulously and judged upon by the press and the public (fans or not). But what happens when you fall out of favour with those people judging you? You become not just a "nobody" again, but a "has-been", a failure, worse than a "wannabe" because "wannabes" can always claim "undiscovered" talent without having to actually prove whether they have it or not. The worst they can be accused of is cowardice, and a coward can always become brave at some point, if they decide to be. But still so many people clamour for this entity called fame. Is it a major personality disorder caused by feeling extremely neglected or just a denial of being mediocre rather than a natural prodigy? And what about those people (celebrities or non-celebrities) who feel it is justified to stab a friend/ spouse/family member in the back in order to gain the favour of a more "important" or "useful" person? Does it really end up being worth the pain caused? I doubt it. How many of us "fans" out there willingly surrender our own beliefs and attitudes in order to emulate someone "famous" who enters our lives? I have recently seen myself become absolutely, obnoxiously solicitous and subservient (definitely not true attributes of mine!) when I was "befriended" by a "celebrity-in-waiting". In reflecting upon my behaviour, I was appalled and resolved never to "deify" a mere mortal again, no matter how "gifted" they happen to be. Nevertheless, I think most people, as mortals, would each like to have our own 15 minutes of recognition, simply to justify our existence, and then return to our peaceful, although not quite as gratifying, anonymity and privacy. It was most definitely a learning experience to realize that even prodigies and their entourages are prone to dishonest, back-stabbing, two-faced, devious antics and then disguise it as "discretionary" caution and "artistic differences". Fame does seem to have an awesome price and impact connected to it, but for some people, I guess it's worth it. All the power to you, people, but no thanks; I guard and appreciate my freedom to come and go as I please, now that I have found it. D.M. Wells |
| THE FAME GAME |
 |