Recently I was watching Bride Wars (I know, this is not a particular kind of movie a guy might watch) but believe me, it turned out to be more than just a movie. It was fodder and inspiration for this month's column.
The movie may be filled with a lot of comedy scenes to balance its message. The scenes when the two brides / best-friends play one another along, thinking that both want to be more "prominent" than the other.
Liv (the blonde bride) turned Emma's (the brunette bride) skin orange, a week before she got married, and Emma dyed Liv's hair blue a day before her important meeting with clients - which resulted in her dismissal.
With a seamless touch by a great director, these provocative incidents were turned into box-office attractions. However, in real life you might feel "betrayed" if your best-friend behaved like that.
The idea of "overpowering others" has been with us ever since humans hungered for dominance. Selfishness may come from various sources, but its outcomes have never been good.
Selfishness has an array of consequences ranging from unhappiness to hatred, and even to the point of personal vendetta.
Feuding, winning, being the only one in the spotlight. what's it all about? Is our life like some kind of an American Idol contest, where the judge announces the verdict and that's it - that's your life for the next half century?? NO WAY!
Take a look at the Capulets and Montagues (from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet) from the 16th century. They ended up losing both their children because they couldn't settle things. The same thing is happening now within our nation. The politicians sitting in office are aiming more for personal gain than the needs of citizens.
Our nation's is now in jeopardy of losing its trust for each other and the government won't run as it's supposed to in such circumstances. These two examples indicate that no matter what era we live in, selfishness accomplishes nothing.
I was reminded by the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu who, at an event, The Clinton Global Initiatives 2006, said: "God created humans differently to make us realize our needs for one another."
If we are selfish, we are in breach of that rule. The rule gives us an indication about the possibility of achieving peace, of an enemy-less world, with harmony and compassion.
It's so easy to hurt others. But to mend the hurts, takes forever. Think of how many wrinkles and grey hairs you could prevent if you could take this life just a bit easier. Stop just for a second to appreciate the world around you. Be less paranoid that not all people (including yourself) are planning someone's downfall. It's too distressing a thought even to mention. Then just imagine carrying that same thought in your brain for..Think of your age times 12 months. Isn't that just a suicidal attempt?
It's not others who are your worst enemy. It is YOU with all your self-seeking intentions, and a security device controlling your emotions gone kaput. Go fix it before it's too late.
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