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!