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Everyday in an office, on a plane, in a studio or in my car, I am hit with the senseless attacks from those fame has denied its embrace. I guess you are wondering what I mean? This is not a new problem, in fact its as old as time. Jealousy and coveting. Just last week, I had a chance to eat dinner with one of the worlds biggest movie stars and her husband in Denver, Colorado. I was explaining to her the daily grind of dealing with the termites in life. (Termites) not the little bugs that eat away secretly and privately behind your back at the very important beams that hold your entire house up. But, the termites within the industry that have nothing better to do than circle the famous and pick apart the thing they themselves cannot obtain in their own lives or careers. This actress went on to tell me, "I always wanted to be famous, and once I got it. I wanted to be a shadow on a wall, with no face."

I began to tell her the personal dilemma I had battled and faced recently with my best friend and one of my artists. He had been ridiculed, lied on and totally thrown in the fire by the industry for succeeding. My first thought was, "What did I do wrong? Where did I fail my artist? Could we have seen this much success and still have sneaked by the termites and vultures? She stopped me and told me, her life had been shredded daily, torn apart. And her husband spoke up and said, "Then she married me 20 years younger."

We all laughed. But, it hit me. Gospel music is no different from the secular careers I have been a part of in the past. Fame-is a mix of people that love you, people that hate you, people that want you to make it, people that want you to fail. But, in the end the real "who" you are instead of the "what" you are is what makes the difference. You can be successful and still hold on to your roots. You don't have to become a part of the circus. You don't have to be a famous person to run into jealousy and envy. If you are in any job or situation where you are dealing with people, you are not responsible for their joy or acceptance. You can be successful in the role God has placed in your life, without allowing envious, jealous people to attempt to derail your plan or blessing. People will change you if they can, they will bring you down to their level.

If you find these kind of people around you, begin a plan to continue your rise and remove yourself as quickly as possible from them. Life down here is a trail run. And we must uplift as many as we can. But, not everyone wants uplifted. Not everyone can be in the game. Not every person was meant to succeed in the music or entertainment industry. If you have yet to reach your goals, keep trying. But, if you are one those negative people that critique and criticize out of jealousy and envy, please get some help. Pray for God to comfort your soul and allow you to remove those things. When you willingly tear someone else down-it will return to you. I have lived long enough to know- "you reap what you sow." PERIOD.

Sow good thing about people. Your personal success depends on how you treat others. And for those few that have obtained everyone else's dream of being famous-remember you can be fulfilled as a public figure and be a private person. Its hard to live in the reality of life when you are constantly living in the reality of fame. Remember who you are, not what people say you are! Stay in touch with why you do what you do! Take rest times. Reconnect with your family and friends. And remember when you have reached a level to attract the bad press you have already achieved the good.

Rick Hendrix
http://www.rickhendrix.com

Reader Comments

Geez, I thought I already WAS famous! Is that why nobody ever kisses-up to me?

Don't you people know who I AM????

(Cue: mock indignation.)

Chris J. Becker
Cedar Rapids, IA

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