Advice

The Mom of No has a hard time reading the news, because I get all annoyed and irritated and starts yelling at the poor, undeserving mobile device, and we all know that while technology can’t talk back, it does have a way of getting revenge when its feelings are unnecessarily hurt. What the Mom of No finds frustrating is that there is a lot of news that isn’t really news,  and reactions to events from people who get far more publicity than they really deserve. 

Many of these people are famous simply because they are related to political figures, or because they have a reality TV show, or they used to have a reality TV show (aside: The Mom of No encourages you to just say no to reality TV. Go read a book or talk to a friend).  Some of them are famous because they have a lot of money.  Some of them are famous because they have hit upon a way to appeal to a small but vocal segment of the population. Some of them are famous for no discernible reason (at least to the Mom of No, who admittedly watches very little TV). What all these people have in common is that their opinions are given far more weight than what they should be given.  

So kids, listen up.  The Mom of No is going to give you some advice which you can choose to take, or not.  Maybe you won’t take it now, because you are teenagers and therefore automatically suspect of any parental insights, but that’s okay. I won’t take it personally*.  Maybe you’ll at least agree to think about it.

These people, these reality TV stars and these family members of famous people, and these people who are famous because they are rich and have plenty of time and money but very little common sense- these are not the people whose opinions should matter to you.  Consider their offerings with a discerning mind and a huge grain of salt.

If you are looking for role models, for mentors, for people whose lives can inspire you, for people whose opinions should matter to you, for people who can offer real insight into current events and who can make you think deeply about important questions, look elsewhere.  Look for people who you admire because of their work ethic, their ceaseless ability to overcome challenge, their motivation to change the world for the better in little ways and large, their willingness to give of their time, talent and treasure to others.  Look for people who are kind and loyal and honest  and inclusive of others and who do what they say they will do. Look for people who are willing to own their mistakes and learn from them. 

Look at your family, your friends, your schools, your community, your place of worship.  Look at books. The local library is full of books about people- both fictional and real-who have insights to offer you and lives that will inspire you.  Look at the entire world, and see who is out there working and making good things happen and speaking up for others who cannot, and taking real risks and making real sacrifices to do what they know they are called to do without expecting accolades and riches because the need is in their soul and they cannot ignore it.   Like all human beings, these people will have flaws. How do they acknowledge their errors?  How do they overcome their weaknesses?  

Just please don’t think that just because someone is famous, or on reality TV, or has a pile of money, or is stunningly beautiful or handsome, or has well-known relatives, that they are worth emulating, or that their opinion on a subject should inform yours.  The Mom of No will add, to be fair, that just because someone is famous, gorgeous, and/or wealthy, does not mean that they are not worthy of your respect and admiration - just be sure that they have it for the right reasons.  You have so many choices of people to admire and emulate; choose wisely. 

 

*Well, OK, I kind of will take it personally- but I’ll suck it up and get over it.  I hear that in about 10 years, my advice will be worth something again.