I am a self admitted reality TV junkie. Out of all of the reality TV shows I watch, the one I enjoy the most would have to be "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills"
With the new season starting, I felt it necessary to discuss this season on my blog. I ALWAYS have something to say about the show, but no one to say it to. True, I started this blog to keep my family in Florida connected to Knox, but I've decided to add a small piece of myself in here.
Now, everyone who follows the show is aware that Russell Armstrong (Taylor Armstrong's husband) tragically killed himself before the new season aired. I know that there was a lot of talk about whether or not this season should even air in spite of what happened.
I understand that concern...it's a little off-putting, and even haunting, to realize that you are watching someones life unravel on TV. Some people might even feel a little guilty about the sudden morbid fascination they have to watch the show. I admit that I felt a little guilty for watching tonight's episode. It felt like I was one of those people that pull over to the side of the road, just so they can get a better look at a fatal car accident. But I think for most of us, the reason we want to watch this season so badly, is because we might be able to get some answers to our questions.
Why would someone take their life?
Did anyone see this coming?
Why would he want to do this to his family?
Where things really so bad that he felt the only way out was death?
What will happen to his kids when they find out about his choice to end his life?
Now, I am well aware that this is just a TV show...I mean, I don't personally know these people. I get it when someone questions my enthusiasm over the show. I mean, I've been asked a thousand times "Why do you care about happens to these people? You don't know them!"
I'm sure other fans have experienced the same type of judgment when they admit to watching the show.
I have come up with two answers to that question...either we are nosy and like the drama (which lets face it...that's entertainment), or we have these moments during the show, where we find ourselves relating to these people in some way. We have all fought with our brother or sister at some point...some of us have experienced divorce...we have all had someone, who we considered a friend, betray us in some way. (I think that I am a mix of both those answers)
Also. I think that there is a reason some things end up happening on TV.
Now, I am not an idiot...I am well aware that I don't know the details of what happened with Russell Armstrong, and I don't pretend to. However, I have experienced low points in life...along with depression. I believe that everyone has felt that wave of emptiness and disappointment. For some of those people, this feeling becomes consuming...and a lonely place to be.
That's why I'm glad Bravo decided not to cancel...I feel that this season might have a purpose.
I'm sure you're thinking that these are some very deep thoughts for a reality TV show.
I believe that Sometimes, another person chooses to do something in their life...and their actions wake something up inside of us...they make us stop for a second...and think.
I'm sure there may have been other reasons for Russell's choice to take his life, but I think it's safe to say that his financial situation played an big part in it. Even Kyle made a comment about how much pressure there is to keep up a certain wealthy appearance in Beverly Hills. I'm sure it's a little stronger in Beverly Hills, but I think right now, with the economy the way it is, that pressure is a reality for a lot of people.
So, I'm going to stop my ramblings and get to the point...
This is how tonight's episode made me feel...
Money...I hate talking about because I hate the way it makes people act...I hate the things it makes people do....I hate the way it changes who you are. I hate that we feel like it determines our self worth. I hate that it defines who we are. I hate that it has the power to make us happy when it's plentiful...and in the same breath, it can make us unhappy when it's gone. I hate that it determines if we are a successful person. I hate that money is considered an accomplishment. I hate that it is thought about 24/7. I hate that we plan our lives around it. I hate that it can worry a person to the point of choosing death...and take a father away from his kids.
I understand that money will always be a small worry in our lives...but that's what it should be...a "small" worry.
I do not want money to choose how I am going to feel when I wake up in the morning.
When I die, and my friends and family stand up to give a eulogy, they're not going to pass around my bank statements. They wont be adding up how much I spent on gifts over the years. They wont be talking about the square footage of my house, what kind of car I drove, or what my job was.
No, when I die, I want my friends and family to have an endless amount of stories to share. I want to be apart of every good memory they have...holidays, birthdays, anniversaries...I want to be apart of it all. I want to be successful in their eyes, because having me around, made their lives feel full.
With that said, I am going to make a promise to myself.
I promise to stay focused on whats important and to never miss a second of what life is really about.I promise I will work long hours, nights, weekends, and holidays to make sure my life is rich with happiness. I promise not to allow things (like money) to overwhelm me and prevent me from seeing things clearly. I promise that I will always remember that there is a difference between working hard, and working so hard you forget who you're working hard for. I promise to never allow something that is so insignificant (again, like money), to become more important to me than my own family. I promise I will not fail myself or my family when it comes to this...
No comments:
Post a Comment