Considering the great American ideal of consumerism it does not surprise me that our society has become consumerist in our ‘dream’ pursuits. I am not referring to purchasing ‘things’ I am referring to the desire to consume any and every possible dream avenue.
When Oprah announced that she was looking at going on Broadway, whether she was joking or not, I found myself discouraged at her announcement. Seriously? Broadway?
Discouraged, not because Oprah cannot pursue this dream, but because I’m angry for all the people in the world who pursue that dream daily and never make it. If they had mega millions and a nation of paparazzi and fans sure they’d be there too. They’d have as many opportunities as Oprah does.
I see this often. The rich find ways to stay in the spotlight and take away opportunities for others. For example, when Donald Trump was thinking about running for office I was saddened that he felt like he needed to do more. There are lots of smart people in the world. If you are a star you have already offered the world something they bought into already. Leave open spaces and positions for other people to fill.
Don’t take every space…take your rightful place.
We don’t all need to be a movie star, a governor, a Broadway composer, a president, and a head of the school district. It is okay to be in a niche. People will love you for it.
If Starbucks opened a grocery store consumers would agree they’d be overstepping their bounds. Why then do we allow those who have substantial influence to have a monopoly in the spotlight? A monopoly is a monopoly…in the end it hurts the general population.
So I want to say to successful people – move over and let someone else succeed. You do not have to do everything. If something is already created, leave it to lesser folks who do not have all the funds in the world, and make another new adventure for yourself.
Invest in other’s success and hide from the limelight. Avoid the press and let someone else have the spotlight.
As another thought to this post I think the super wealthy have a different struggle than most of us. Having just viewed a documentary called 'Born Rich' by the heir of Johnson & Johnson I do find sympathy for wealthy as well as poor. I do think Trump and Oprah as well as the other many super wealthy have offered themselves to the world.
ReplyDeleteWe learn daily, no matter where what background we come from.