Article July 4, 1994 Issue

Fame or real worth?

Blake Elliott Windal

In the media we hear a lot about celebrities and stars. These people often seem to have what we don't, perform what is impossible for us, and exemplify what others would like to be and have. As we look at the attention society gives them, we may even come to believe that certain people can have more real worth than the rest of us in the "general population," and that such worth is out of reach to us.

I had a small experience that reminded me how important it is to look beyond the world's view of worth. I was living in a big city. I had been walking around town and noticed a woman asking for money along the curbside. Those she asked for change often ignored her completely. Finally, she turned to me and just smiled. I smiled back and said to her, "They don't seem to hear you, do they?" This prompted a refreshing discussion.

One thing she said impressed me a lot. She said that she refused to steal, because she wanted to keep her head above the water of dishonesty. She also mentioned that she believed in a loving God and that she made an effort to attend church. We concluded together that she had true wealth, the riches of Principle, Love, in that she would not steal from others and that she had the desire to understand the loving God. I think we both left that conversation with a better sense of who we really are.

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