Fame Glamor Wealth Illusory

by Vasundhara · September 4, 2017

Each one’s purpose in life is different. Each one’s destiny fulfills itself. It is wise not to be fooled by the fame, glamour and wealth of others and confuse that with happiness. Only a quiet mind and peaceful life can give happiness. Nothing else can. It is better to live our own lives with contentment and peace of mind. That is real happiness; everything else is illusory and false.

Everything we think, say or do is ultimately for one thing : Happiness. Knowingly or unknowingly, happiness is what we really want through all our actions, whether good or bad.

Fame Glamor Wealth, these are illusory. It is a common but erroneous notion that a lot of money, fame and glamor will produce great happiness. When other people have fame, glamour or profusion of wealth, it seems like they are the luckiest people in the world. But does that mean they are really happy as we imagine them to be? Not really.

If our destiny so happens to make us rich or famous while we do our ordained destined duty, so be it. But we need not hanker after money and fame thinking that it is the greatest accomplishment in life, and that it will produce great happiness.

It should be noted here that it is not money or objects themselves that are the culprit, but excessive attachment to them. Sages say, enjoy what you get with contentment, but don’t lose your peace of mind by getting attached to them.

Money can give comforts but not happiness

Fame Glamor Wealth Illusory Wealth

Money can give comforts but not happiness

It is essential to have enough wealth to live a comfortable and happy life. Money is necessary to support ourselves and our family, to eat, to have a roof over our heads and to have a few comforts to relax. But one should not be chasing wealth or fame. It is a wrong idea to think that riches alone can bring happiness. In fact, excessive money has been the culprit for unhappiness and depression in many people’s lives. It is well known that children who have filthy rich parents go crazy and do self-destructive things due to lack of attention and love.

Excessive money can give luxuries, but not happiness. Too much of it can actually cause fear and restlessness. On the one hand, wealth creates arrogance and one can lose one’s good friends very quickly. On the other hand, many are the stories that celebrities themselves tell the world about how their own mother, father or siblings exploited them. People who are extremely rich will always be afraid of relatives and friends. They will be scared of being exploited or used.

Rich people will suspect everyone because they will not know who is a real friend or well-wisher, and who is just flattering them to enrich themselves. They may even lose those who are dear to them because of self-aggrandizing activities. They will have intense fear of being plundered or harmed by robbers.

The simple truth is that to be happy, we have to reduce the burdens in our mind. The more possessions we have, the less peace of mind we will have. It is a blessing and relief if one is not filthy rich or glamorous. To that extent, there will be peace of mind and genuine happiness.

Fame and Glamor is constant agitation

Fame Glamor Wealth Illusory Paparazzi

Fame and Glamor is constant agitation

When people appreciate and recognize us for our talents and efforts, it is natural to get satisfaction out of it. It can give a feeling of fulfillment. But instant stardom, fame and glamour does not necessarily mean happiness. They may appear to be wonderful, but in truth, it can be almost guaranteed that glamorous people will not have a moment of peace, except when they have a moment of ordinary living. They can never be themselves. Once an image of themselves is produced, they have to constantly pose as that image. And the persistent harassment of the paparazzi and gossip clamoring media and magazines will give them too much anxiety and misery.

Besides, one has to make so much effort for something superficial, fleeting and which is bound to disappear later. If fact, these things can cause enormous strain, restlessness, agitation and anger because of the tremendous fear of losing them and the burden of sustaining them. One day you may be on “cloud nine”, the other day you may be thrown off to the ground mercilessly. While the high seems great while it lasts, the low is devastating, many times resulting in different ways of self-destruction.

What goes up must come down

Fame Glamor Wealth Illusory Depression

What goes up must come down

You may know the saying, “the bigger they are, the harder they fall”! And, “what goes up must come down”, sooner or later. When famous people who reach the top come down, they inevitably crash. They may end up as drug addicts, alcoholics and other abusers. Having led the world to believe that they are a great success, now not able to face the same world with their downfall, they may fall into a deep depression. Having been used to being recognized by people, now when that does not happen, they may become deeply sad and dejected. Or they may act silly or weird in order to get attention by any means. The world that made them think they are great, now may not care what happens to them. Friends who hung around are now nowhere to be seen. And that cannot be fun.