Celebrityville

Have you ever wondered why some people want to be celebrities? I have. All of the glitz, glamor, money, and status acts like a magnet for some people and bids them to live into Celebrityville. But as my grandmother used to say, “All that glitters ain’t gold”. In fact, most of the time, the glitter is emanating from iron pyrite (fool’s gold) and isn’t worth the time or effort it took to reach it.

One aspect of living in Celebrityville is the fact that the media is following their every move. Paparazzi, gossip rags, and TV newshounds are all out to get the latest gossip and pictures of all residents living in this coveted town. I certainly wouldn’t want my picture taken every time I ventured out in public and nor would I want to be stalked in my own home just for being famous and because “the people deserve to know about their favorite celebrities”. Life can be stressful enough without some two-bit Walter Cronkite wanna-be/Maury Povich, Jr. chasing someone down the street with camera in tow.

Naturally, the “news people” wouldn’t be so obsessed with their prey if the primary user of their bird-cage-liner would quit being obsessed with finding out the latest gossip on the residents of the town. Who cares if a certain movie hunk wears “mandals”, carries a “murse”, or has left his wife for another pretty face? Who cares if the latest ingénue has blown her lips (or anything else for that matter!) up to twice their size, what country the starlet-of-the-week is adopting a child from, or why either one of them went out in public without makeup and dressed in something not even close to the glamorous Versace outfit she just wore on the red carpet last week? Who says that they aren’t entitled to a little down time? And we all know that the residents are usually devoid of any moral standards. Why try to imitate someone of such low character? As my momma says, “They put on their pants just the same as you do...one leg at a time.”

Yes, the money is nice and the perks would make a coffee pot boil over, but life isn’t all about money and perks. Life is about loving and enjoying your family and friends, a quiet night under the stars listening to crickets sing and Spring Peepers trill, and worshipping and serving the Lord above with a thankful heart. The next time you are tempted to tune into the latest gossip on TV or in the papers, think twice about what your habit ultimately does for the residents of Celebrityville and how it can undermine your moral fiber when you dream of being in their place. Instead, try a heart-felt conversation with your family or friends and leave the glitter to your diamond ring or children’s artwork. I think you will see how good you already have it.

Have a blessed day!