Role Re-Modelling

It's a generally accepted belief that our society is a poor teacher of morals and ideals. With a major emphasis on consumerism, outward appearance, sexuality and degradation of the human form, the obvious question is: why do we allow ourselves to subscribe to these damaging and self-depreciating thoughts? Are we sheep who are simply directed and fed whatever society is serving us without reflection or independent thought? If not, why are we defined by the morals of society and not our own personal beliefs? What are we missing, what do we need in order to break the patterns of massive thought holding back individual progress and freedom? Role models.

Now don't get me wrong, and before you start screaming at me the names of your Justin Beeber's and Milo Seriouses, allow me to make my point. It seems to me a role model should emerge out of some aspect of society which should be aspired for; some position of respect, intelligence, wisdom, humility, kindness, etc. Now think again about who you may consider a personal role model. Did you list an athlete? Not bad, they can exemplify some of these qualities. How about a musician? Same goes, I guess. How about an actor? In a sense, I guess they fit the bill. How about a poet though? An astronaut? Scientist? Novelist? Philosopher? Doctor? Teacher? Guru/religious leader? I'd wager, for the most part, these people lacking fame and recognition didn't make your list. What are the odds that you become a professional athlete, musician, or actor? (Not too good, in case you're wondering). Yet it is these people who we idolize; these people we imitate, and these people we view as our role models.

It's quite interesting actually that we expect change and enlightenment while burying our heads in gossip magazines, celebrity tweets and the dreams of fame. It's even more interesting that the people who have this fame might live by the motto of "any press is good press". The public eye is wide open, and what it sees, it imitates. When Oprah alone can take a book from obscurity to fame with a simple name drop, you've got to wonder how much thinking people want to do for themselves. With such a dangerous atmosphere, why are we letting the thinking be accomplished by preteen children or reality TV stars? Better yet professional athletes, actors, and singers who elected to chase the dream before bothering to opt for an education. Not only are we following the uneducated, but we're experience a dumbing down of the educated. Presidential candidates are a brilliant example. George W. Bush was a graduate of Yale and Harvard School of Business, yet in his addresses appears dumber than a sack of potatoes. You think that's an error or mistake? Think again. Everything about these leaders is manufactured and contrived. Why might they be being dumbed down? Because, perhaps, society can't keep up. And now I wonder why that might be?

This isn't supposed to be a "you're dumb" rant, but rather a "let's fix this" bit. We have misplaced morals, and allow ourselves to look up to people who have done nothing to deserve admiration. Abilities are wonderful, but we need to diversify our scope beyond singing, acting, and throwing stuff. I challenge you to find a thinker rather than a doer and to really spend some time exploring that aspect of ability. They don't even need to be famous; in fact it'd be better if they aren't. Search for someone you know, or have been introduced to, and look to see if you can admire what they do; the difference they make in the world. When we become able to depend on each other for inspiration and respect, we remove the influence of the elite few, and allow for a more balanced power between the obscure enlightened and the famous shells of ignorance.

A final thought to leave you with before this is all over. I saw a video of a baby smoking and swearing the other day upon the encouragement of his parents. Clearly I was pretty shocked to see such negligence. If you'd also feel this way, ask yourself the question I try to pose to myself before I act now: Am I acting in such a way as I'd like my future children to act? If the answer is no, why bother waiting around until you have kids before making an adjustment? Kids are everywhere, and unknown to you they're looking up to your every move (literally, too, ha ha). Do I listen to the right kinds of music, do I use the right kind of words, and is my behaviour something I want to see in kids everywhere? If the answer is no, why do it? Because it's cool? Don't cop out on this very serious epidemic we're going though here. We've got a serious shortage of role models, and a world full of people who have the power to change that fact. If I know it's wrong for them (the children, be they mine or yours), then I'm smart enough to know it's not helping me any. The task becomes to start to purge ourselves of the negative aspects of our lives. In doing so, look to real world role models to base our decisions on, and to lean on for support. Change isn't something the world needs to do for us, but something we need to do for it. It's time for a role remodelling, interested?