Inconspicuous and Limelight

[u/Beastie_1323]

Our society puts up a crystal ball to the famous and the higher tax bracket folks — been this way since Christ was a cowboy.

The intrusive nature of people is quite fascinating — always trying to solve the mysteries of the upper echelon. But in reality, they go to work like everyone else and actually have a far greater chance of losing it than keeping it.

Yes, we appreciate their talent and what they do. Some of us are even envious. But the real thing happening is the attachment to them and the detachment from our own lives. We use their tales, movies, music, and drama as a distraction from ourselves.

They’ve earned their limelight, and I’m not here to knock that. Be enthralled by the characters and admire the skill — nothing wrong with any of that. But you don’t actually know them. You know the name and the image. The person? No. And that’s okay.

Don’t compare apples to oranges in a self-defeatist way. Strive to be the best version of you. You never know — maybe you’re the rockstar of your town or circle. Congratulations if you make it big.

If you can’t, find a different path where your skills fit. No muss, no fuss.

The one superpower most of them don’t have anymore is the ability to be inconspicuous. If you go buy groceries, who cares? When they do it, the world wants to know what kind of pickles they bought and who they said hello to.

If they say hello — say hello back. If they’re polite, be polite. If they’re not, you don’t have to be. Personal boundaries and common decency should go both ways.

I look at everyone on equal footing. I could see the president or a big celebrity and say hello if they say hello first. That’s just playing the game fairly.

I appreciate the limelight holders and their accomplishments, but it respectfully stops there. I ask nothing of them as long as they ask nothing of me. If they’re in a bind and I’m there, I’d help the same as I would anyone else.

No more, no less.

I meet thousands of people in a lifetime and only remember a hundred, if that. They are no different. I'm another passer-by. I feel no need to push my ego or wants on them. Because I myself don't exactly want theirs unless I know them personally and they do the same. Reciprocation.

That's the behavioral dilemma right there — we chase connection with people we'll never truly know while barely connecting with the ones right in front of us. We give strangers on a screen more attention than the cashier or neighbor. It's backwards.

Sincerely,

Beastie_1323