Fame or Mis--fortune...

Have you seen the newest internet sensation Susan Boyle? My Dad called this morning and asked me this. "Yes! She brought me to tears. I was completly taken in!" He said, "Yeah, I guess everybody has seen her. I walked outside this morning and saw Ann, my neighbor, across the way. Asked her if she had seen this woman from Britain too--she already did. What did I wake up late this morning?" I laughed, "No, Dad. It's just that it spread like wildflower!" He agreed, she was incredible. Earlier this week Niko said, "She sings like an angel." He was reminded you cannot judge a book by it's cover.

You know, I love it when someone goes out on a limb, risks the peaceful nuances of anonmity, to pursue their dreams--and then, quick as a lightening bolt, they shoot to stardom! Ms. Boyle is 47, unemployed, and lives in a tiny collection of villages in Scotland....and had the dream to sing since she was 12. And now she is going to realize that dream in the fullest, most possible way. How cool is that? What are your dreams? Did you follow them? Are you living the life you know you can live? These are the questions I've been asking myself.

I was surfing the blog world recently and found another woman who has shot to fame herself through a blog she began shortly after her daughter was born. For 8 years she has recounted the miserable, sometimes psychotic experiences she has felt as a mother. Oprah reads her and even had her on her show. This woman gets over 5 million hits a day and makes thousands of dollars in advertising. I strolled down and read post after post, and found the "cover" was very inviting--lots of vivid, well photographed pictures, etc. The posts of her daughter's cute, clever remarks are darling. The other though, not so cute, or clever; just mean. This blog, which I won't do her the honor of mentioning the address, was filled with profanity, anger, livid anger, mean and snide remarks jabbed at her husband, child, and every one else she seems to come in contact with.

Contempt. That was thread thorughout.--and A LOT of "Shut up's!" (that pains me even to write that word here). You know, maybe I have it all wrong but I thought that blogging is not talking AT your readers, on the contrary, it is by nature a written conversation, a give and take of opinions. I welcome feedback, love it actually, good and not always good. For someone holding the attention of so many others, she seems to want to be the only one in the room talking. If this is what the world is looking to for advice of motherhood, God help us.

Amazing talent comes with a responsibility. I tell my kids (who I see as amazing every day of their lives) you must use your "15 minutes" wisely. People will emulate you, BELIEVE you even, spread your word. Be thoughtful with your actions. We have all said and done things
we deeply regret, but it's the thoughts and deeds done with a flagrant disregard for the good of others-- or maybe they are just so ticked they want the rest of the world to be ticked as well (misery loves company anyone?), these are the reckless "leaders" that truly sadden and frighten me. I wonder if she has ever heard of the theory of a "Self-fulfilling Prophecy?" I just pray she isn't feeding her philosphy into unsuspecting mothers looking for direction.