iguanamountain blog

FATAL PURSUITS?

Prompt: Sue Erikson Bloland the integrative psychotherapist said, “The pursuit of fame is basically a tragic pursuit.” Can it be that people pursue fame to use it as a successful defense against shame or feelings of inadequacy, even after realizing it could be tragic? 

   
                   
         I don’t think people begin by ‘pursuing fame. They do something that is recognized, acknowledged, admired, envied...you name it. They get noticed and note that the notice part almost always happens within the media---television, magazines, social media on the internet. Once it happens for some folks, their ego takes over and they crave more attention, then they pursue fame. For others the fame brings extraordinary income and a change of their life style, which requires more income, which demands that the ‘fame’ be sustained and expanded. Then you begin to see those tragic results.
         
         But that’ s not true for everyone who becomes famous. There are heroes who show courage or compassion and they are famous for their five minutes on television and one news article. Others create art or music or athletic skill that is beyond most human’s ability. They pursue their skill or art, often challenging themselves to do better, and become famous without realizing it is happening. Because we admire them, their fame is sustained, sometime for a lifetime.
         
         The tragic pursuits sometimes fade quickly and others slowly disintegrate. The tragic fame is chronicled in daily photos and speculative stories that feed the consuming masses. Not the most attractive part of our civilization.
         
         As Gloria Swanson said, “I am big. It's the pictures that got small.”
         
         Rudolph Valentino said, “A man should control his life. Mine is controlling me.”
         
         Old time movies were great!...>>> iggy
         

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