Believe it or not, the events of the last couple of weeks, all have lessons for us to learn.  I believe the more outrageously obsessed the media is to bombard us with every detail of the lives that splash and splat all over the news—-the more important it is for us to see what’s crawling under the big rock of humanity that’s gotten turned over for all to see.

In the case of Bernard Madoff—–well, that one has actually hit home for a couple of my friends.  One, in particular, did not invest with him……but wanted to.  With every fiber in her being, she pursued him.  In New York and Palm Beach, she maneuvered and manipulated her way into “his circle”.  She had parties to include his wife, she wrote him letters, explaining her “worthiness” to be “in the club”.  You see, Madoff did not let just anyone IN. 

Now, of course, she is both tremendously relieved and equally humiliated.  She is re-evaluating HER will and feeling blessed by THE WILL, which obviously won out in this case.  She has come to see how much of her life was about fitting in with some vision of “the good life” which was based on net worth and posturing.  Inside, all the while, she felt like a little girl from Memphis, who likes mayonaise sandwiches on white bread.  Secretly, she was bone tired—-tired of trying to “elevate” herself—–unable to see her own truth was beautiful and miraculous and worthy.

In the case of Michael Jackson—there are so many lessons.  The one that jumps out at me the most is the kind of schedules we keep for our kids.  The lessons, the practices, the teams, the activities that are supposed to be grooming our kids for a better life—–I wonder sometimes, if they ever get to just be kids.  To sit in a tree and stare at the sky.  To take scissors and paper and an old box and see what it might become an hour later.  It is obvious that Michael missed that phase of his life.  He was forced to “perform” before he was fully formed—-as a person with a whole psyche.  I wonder how much our kids are learning to “turn it on” and “perform” when they need to time to grow into themselves and come into their own, at their own pace.

In the case of Farah Fawcett—she is just another example of the tragedy that can surround the chase for fame and fortune.  She certainly achieved both but I wouldn’t  ever call her life……fortunate. Would you?   As the media reported, her son, was released from prison so that he could attend her funeral. A very sad day…..and end.

In the case of the rest of us—after seeing just a few of the lessons and gifts these lives have given us(you may discover more)—–well, we get one more time to have a chance to love our lives.  Just like they are.  We get a chance to tell the people we love—-that we love them.  We get to check out what’s true—–just for us—–instead of in the glare of the world’s microscope—we can learn our lessons in the privacy of our homes, in our circles of friends and family who will hold the mirror—–AND hold our hands through the next chapter or over the next hurdle.  And, as we continue to be inundated by the “news”— that isn’t NEW, we have a chance to renew our goals, to adjust our thinking, to rev up our values, and…..to try again.