Are we Raising a New Generation of Cheaters?

Saw an interesting article in USA Today a couple days ago. It was an interview with “Dr. Drew” – the TV self help guru.

He was talking about our tendency to focus on Celebrities as our role models.

Here’s part of the problem; however – many celebrities are internally fueled by their narcissism.. their need for attention, their need for excitement and chaos and their need to have others mirror back to them their greatness and stature.

This seemingly wonderful and exciting external behavior often masks a deep emptiness and barrenness of soul. The celebrity fears the day when s/he will be truly found out. As well, Dr. Drew points out that the “celebrity” often is attempting to cope with a history of profound childhood trauma.

The “Celebrity” often develops a sense of entitlement, as in others or the world “owing” him/her his self pleasure. Others are there to serve him/her.

The “celebrity” status is not confined to “Hollywood Stars.”

I think of the adulation we baseball fans heaped upon Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa in their home run duel, all the time cheating with their drugs.

I think of AIG CEO’s accepting their obscene bonus money probably without a whimper. After all, they are entitled, aren’t they?

I think of pampered athletes demanding new contracts… or they will hold out.

I think of politicians believing they can “get away with” sleeping around, hiring hookers or having an affair.

There is a theme or pattern in all of this: MY personal needs, desires or wants come first. Yes, I’m entitled to that. And, others ought in many ways at least close their eyes and allow me do what I want to do.

We watch this. Our young people watch their “celebrity role models.” And, so we focus externally, looking out there for our excitement, fun and “success.” Those who achieve this “success” become our models.

But we slide on a slippery slope, sliding towards that emptiness and barrenness of soul that “successful ones” desperately try to avoid. We cheat on others (and ultimately ourselves) because we lack the internal compass – the values learned in failure, dedication and discipline and from riding the uneven ground of life’s journey that includes heart break, loss, gain and joy… sprinkled together.