When I was in sixth grade, I performed in the musical FAME at my school. Recently a friend posted clips on youtube of the performance, destroying any remaining hope of claiming we put on a good show. I had a blast at the time and really enjoyed performing, but I must give incredible thanks to the parents who endured those performances. Wow.
I’ve been thinking about the lyrics to the title song recently which concludes with a chant of “Remember.” Today, I turned on to a news website only to read more articles about Tareq and Michaele Salahi, the couple who crashed the White House dinner the other night as part of their attempt to get on a reality TV show. Just last month, the country collectively held its breath only to discover they too were caught up in the “balloon boy” hoax put on by Richard and Mayumi Heene. This week the show Jon & Kate Plus Eight finally went off the air amidst a bitter divorce between the parents. It seems that these pleas for instant fame via reality television are getting more frequent.
I’m not criticizing reality television; my older brother, Dave, has worked on several of the hits including American Idol, The Apprentice, Paradise Hotel, and Big Brother. However, I do find fault when people begin to view an instant path to success and fame. It’s true there are a handful of Kelly Clarksons or Susan Boyles in the world, launched into a world of fame and financial success many desire, but those are the exceptions to the rule. Most people achieve success through adversity, struggle, frustration, hunger, and drive. It is not a simple road, but it is one that enriches the person as they potentially pursue riches.
I’ll admit that I’ve auditioned for a reality show. During my senior year of college a group of us sat through an audition for the Real World: Las Vegas. I didn’t make it past the first round–a friend of mine made it a few more rounds, but thankfully missed out on the show. I looked at that cast and couldn’t imagine being part of it. If I had, maybe I’d have more fame, maybe I’d appear on a bunch of the challenge shows, but would I as fulfilled as a person? Probably not.
We need to make sure in our pursuit of leadership, we are seeking the right things. Fame can never be a purpose, only a potential side-effect from great service.
Last night, CNN took a break from stories about White House party crashers, tea parties, town halls, and Michael Jackson, to air a special broadcast of their 2009 HEROES. The show recognized ten amazing individuals who didn’t seek out fame, but rather found new ways to serve their communities. Their resources were limited. Take Jorge Munoz, a school bus drive who has found a way to feed over 7,000 people since 2004 or Doc Hendley, a bartender who has found a way to bring clean sustainable water to over 25,000. None of these heroes sought fame or fortune. They made service their priority. Some are actually creating programs that will live on long after they die.
Maybe in that sense, they really are “going to to live forever.”