Quote of the month: "The secret weapon for success is knowledge, 
   so what you don't know can hurt you. - Geela 


These days there is a growing trend towards reality TV shows 
that are based on external shallow values.  With the appeal 
of junk food, it has a powerful hypnotic effect even on the 
strongest minds.  But while reality TV may seem like a harmless 
form of entertainment, the damage (which is done so subtly) is 
very powerful and therefore it deserves a closer look.  So the 
question is "Do we really need another reality TV show or 
perhaps it's time for a reality check?"

The popularity of reality TV shouldn't come as a surprise 
considering the fact that we live in a culture that worships 
vanity, rather than virtue, and lives by the mantra of "He with 
the most toys lives," rather than "He with the most joys lives." 
 It's been said that circumstances don't make a man, they only 
reveal him.  Likewise, reality TV is merely a reflection of 
what our society has become - a materialistically driven society 
where the love of power and money overcomes the power of love.  
It's a reflection of a society that is not only devoid of a 
solid wholesome value system, but is also separated from 
spiritual roots.  It's also a culture that thrives on living 
on the edge, characterized by thrill-seeking and addictions 
(including the addiction to stimulation).  

So here is the true reality behind reality TV.  Reality TV, 
which is in the business of making us feel good rather than be 
good, actually contributes to the growing problems in our 
society by celebrating human weakness rather than human 
excellence.  Reality TV doesn't empower us, but rather 
overpowers us by taking our innate power and inner knowing 
and spirituality away from us, leaving us feeling insecure, 
inadequate, less fulfilled, isolated and confused by virtue of 
the promotion of anti-social behavior, excessive self-indulgence,
self-entitlement, greed, compromised integrity, obsession with 
winning at all costs, and erosion in morality.
 
When you consider the magnitude of the challenges that are 
facing America today, it becomes obvious that what we need is 
certainly not another mind-numbing reality TV show, but rather 
a good reality check.  Whether we recognize it or not, America 
is in desperate need of healing and true revival.  It needs a 
jump-start, not only in the economy, but most importantly a 
jump-start in the spirit.  After all, we are only as strong as 
our spirit, because when the spirit is weak it's easier to 
become overwhelmed by what life throws our way.  But when the 
spirit is strong, no turbulences can effect us, much like a 
ship in the vast ocean that can sail smoothly as long as there 
are no holes in it to make it sink.  

America could use a reality check if only to reexamine our value 
system, which is out of balance and has led to social ills and 
failing systems and institutions.   In a conflicted state of 
uncertainty, doubt and fear, it's only natural for people to 
feel overwhelmed, wishing to escape from reality. However, 
reality TV proves only an artificial relief.  It's obvious that 
we are looking for love (real joy, fulfillment, meaning and 
purpose) in all the wrong places.  In a culture that demands 
instant gratification, and relief from everyday anxieties, a 
quick fix  (for coping), seems to be the chosen drug of choice.  


So now for that reality check.  The reality is that the 
prevailing mentality in American society today is "more is 
better," acquiring external riches as opposed to internal riches 
and that you can get something for nothing.  There is a sense of 
entitlement and an expectation of wanting the good life without 
having to work hard for it.   This is reinforced, glorified and 
perpetuated by the media with shows like "The Lifestyle of The 
Rich and Famous."  When all you see is glamour, but not the hard 
work and sacrifice that goes into achieving success, it only 
inspires more envy and the desire for a "get rich quick" scheme 
leading to the erosion of morality and integrity. 

From environmental pollution to spiritual pollution, we can no 
longer ignore our failing systems and institutions.  From an 
Enron economy with ballooning budget deficits (which is really 
a reflection of a deficit in integrity) and a vanishing social 
security system (which creates social insecurity) to politicians 
doing what's politically correct instead of what's in the best 
interest of the community, to a failing education system as 
reflected in poor test scores which lag behind those of other 
nations, to the break-down of the family system (where kids find 
themselves home alone growing up with their peers, gangs or TV 
without nurturing parents to instill in them solid wholesome 
values system), we are planning to fail by default.

Our spiritual bankruptcy is evident practically in every facet 
of our lives, resulting in social ills from perversion, to the 
phenomenon of people going from being heroes to zero.  We can no 
longer ignore the senseless violence in our schools and crime on 
our streets, increased teen suicide (often due to hopelessness, 
low self-esteem, lack of direction and a solid, wholesome value 
system) and substance abuse.   Americans are more stressed out 
today than ever before despite the fact that we have the highest 
standard of living in the entire world.  The true reality is 
that America is going, slowly but surely, from being a nation 
of producers and innovators to a nation of insatiable consumers 
(even the holidays are too commercialized to enjoy) while 
drowning in debt just to support a lifestyle we can't even 
afford.  All of these problems can be traced to the pursuit 
of materialism, which is a by-product of the American Dream. 

But rather then play the "blame game," it's far more productive 
to approach the reality TV issue in terms of what you can do to 
improve your own life.  A reality check is a good starting 
point.  Remember, the true spirit of the American Dream was 
all about perspiration, innovation, risk and reward with the 
focus on a wholesome values system, integrity, a strong work 
ethic, community and being of service.  All of which creates 
total prosperity (from health to wealth) with purpose, meaning 
and real joy.  Now that's a reality worth striving for!