media | Cherie Roe Dirksen

This is a touchy subject but one that I would like to ‘vent’ about.

We live in a society that is celebrity mad. A celebrity dies and there are endless Facebook comments and twitter feeds sending out condolences. I do not mind this in the least if it were not so fake.

Some people use it to ‘jump on the bandwagon’ of whats ‘trending’ on social networks, some people do it because they are genuinely shocked that a celebrity can actually die (Are they really mere mortals?!?) and some were genuine fans and are sad at the passing.

The latter is most understandable as I would also feel a great loss if, say for instance, David Bowie had to pass. I have loved his music since I was a child and I would be a little sad.

Roll out the Merchandise

And doesn’t it make you sick, when days after their passing, all the commemorative merchandise starts hitting the stores! This is a society gone mad. I know only too well how the art industry works in a similar vein. Die and you are an instant millionare…bizarre!

“We ‘loved’ this person. Really? Then why were you not tweeting about them every day…”

However, most of these celebrities were never talked about when they were alive, with exception to when they were in their ‘hay day’. They slip out of the limelight and into obscurity and when the die…well, only then is there an outcry! Oh my. We ‘loved’ this person. Really? Then why were you not tweeting about them every day or at least once a year?

Do you really feel a loss or are you being swept up in the media ‘hype’? Has this really changed your life?

The Sad Reality

Now what I really want to get to is this. Statistically, 150 000 people die every day.

Wow!

There are people dying every day in the uprisings in countries like Syria and various conflicts all over the world — men, women and children alike. We don’t see much memorial tributes on our feed to this problem, do we?

What makes us so numb to our brothers and sisters all over the world that lose their lives daily, some needlessly?

Why are we only ‘called into action’ when a celebrity dies?

Do we feel we know this person?

Is it shocking because we think they are untouchable or somehow, immortal?

Is it that too many people die daily and they are mere statistics to us?

It is sad.

Well Wishing for the World

I believe that all the well wishes that go out to celebrity families are wonderful because the collective sorrow, or group consciousness, will be very strong and these families and loved ones, of the person who has passed, will no doubt feel the love and compassion on a grand scale.

“I wish we could have a death of this distorted thing called ‘celebrity’ — can you imagine a world without it? “

I only wish that we could practice this for every soul on the planet, not only the ones who appear on TV or in the tabloids. You may not know them by name or face but when you feel the need to dish out condolences, try to remember all the people out their grieving and try to also bless them with your love and compassion.

I wish we could have a death of this distorted thing called ‘celebrity’ — can you imagine a world without it? If we could just appreciate actors, musicians, etc for what they do and not what their status is? I’m sure most of the celebrities would love it — having the freedom to live their lives without being bombarded by paparazzi.

Can you imagine a world where Justin Bieber can go to his local cinema with a bunch of friends and perhaps just be a normal teenager who likes to sing? Or Lady Gaga can get a cup of coffee at Starbucks without wearing shades? Oh well, maybe one day.

Food for thought, isn’t it? Please feel free to share your views on this. How many of you would prefer a celebrity-free world?

Photo credit: Red Carpet by Salvatore Vuono

Now Don’t Just Think of Money!

When we think of the word abundance most of us jump straight to material wealth. However, abundance, like the word ‘wealth’, does not only mean physical treasures.

Wealth can be measured by your physical wealth or health. Without your health you could be the richest person in the world and it would mean nothing.

“…the umbrella of wealth covers so much more than money.”

Wealth can also refer to your mental frame of mind, as in the case with health, if you are mentally ill all the gold in the world won’t help you.

Having meaningful relationships, whether romantic or otherwise is of great importance. In other words, you have a lot of money but no-one to share it with – not much fun either!

“…you could be the poorest or the richest person in the world and still suffer a huge amount of pain if you feel that everything is worthless and your life has no meaning. “

Then there is of course the financial wealth which we all think will solve our problems but as you can see from the list above, this is not always the case. Of course, it is wonderful to have no money worries and to be able to buy anything you desire or go any place in the world or just to have enough to pay the bills – I am not denying that. But the umbrella of wealth covers so much more than money.

The most important of all is the wealth of spirit. Without this you will be searching your whole life for meaning to it all and you could be the poorest or the richest person in the world and still suffer a huge amount of pain if you feel that everything is worthless and your life has no meaning.

The Distortion of Wealth

Unfortunately, through most media outlets we are being pumped with the need for greed. This is another clever ploy by the ‘elite’ to keep us in a cycle of want and ‘tunnel vision’.

“We are being manipulated on a massive scale to keep us from seeing certain truths about our reality.”

Be very careful of the need for riches and try to assess why you want all that money anyway. Always try to see the root of the desire and be mindful and appreciative of the trees in the forest instead of not seeing the forest for the trees.

We are being manipulated on a massive scale to keep us from seeing certain truths about our reality. This is being done to keep our minds preoccupied with meaningless pursuit. This is what I mean by being ‘mindful’ of your desires. Are they really yours? Or are you having the wool pulled over your eyes? So be clear about what you want and why you want it.

How Can I Feel Abundant When I Have Nothing?

A good starting place, to manifest your dreams, is to start with being grateful for what you do have. That which you consider being of wealth to you. This could be having a close family or a special talent or even the fact that you have a roof over your head and food in the fridge.

To be continued…CLICK HERE for part 2

Thursdays Blog will look at the importance of gratitude in receiving true abundance. To follow my blog, please click the ‘follow’ button in the right-hand sidebar.

The above article has been an extract from my latest book ‘Divine You — Redefining Love in the New Earth’ which is available now through all good bookstores.