Recently, I had a discussion with a friend of mine and during the conversation; the topic of “fantasy jobs” was raised. My friend, someone already in a rather fulfilling and gratifying position, confided the dream of hosting a popular television game show.
 

While I admire my friend for having such a lofty goal and for keeping a carefree outlook on life, I began thinking about society’s fascination with celebrities. I started to ponder why we feel such an incredible draw of force toward high-profile personalities who, in more cases than not, have proven, many times over, to lead less than perfect lives which are far more detrimental than the very modest lives of the working class. Aside from being gifted because someone felt well enough of their ability to reward them with multi-million dollar movie deals or fancy mansions on every island from Aruba to Zanzibar, are celebrities truly worth of non-stop attention and better yet, do we really long to be like them?
 

While there has been insufficient research conducted in regards to the failures of celebrity marriages, celebrity divorce attorneys are “in high demand” and in demand at a much higher percentage than the average divorce attorney, according to an article written by Damyel Flower, an attorney specializing in celebrities and divorces. While celebrity marriages ending in divorce are not always the case (Mel Gibson and his wife have enjoyed 26 years of wedded bliss), an Internet Movie Database/Chicago Sun Times poll cites that “nearly half of the two hundred most popular celebrities have been divorced, at least once.” Only thirty-one percent have stayed married to their first partners.
 

Stemming from this poll, an argument could be made that the aforementioned figure follows the recent statistics for successful marriages, nationwide, but for the 'Average Joe' looking for a Hollywood starlet to sweep him off his feet, the odds for a successful union seem to be less than stellar.
 

Moreover, even if today's hottest celebrities were to come knocking upon a star struck fan's door in search of eternal (or weekend) love, the odds of the union lasting into one's Golden years are even more bleak. Of the celebrities, aged 70 and above, polled by The Sun-Times and IMDB, none of them reported being married to their first wife or husband, thus making the odds even dimmer for celebrity bliss.
 

Switching gears somewhat, for those you are already happy with your personal lives, I ask you this: would you really want the lofty ego that is often associated with being a celebrity? Weekly, if not daily, there is a survey stating that an actor or actress has the best/worst body, or the best/worst fashion sense, etc. Whether personally or nationally, the celebrities who bask in the limelight of being the best, much weight is placed upon their character, class, etc. and when the celebrity fails to reach the high standard that society sets for them, gossip and, as we’ve learned recently, disaster can strike. While there is (or should be) a sense of personal accountability involved, many celebrities cannot handle the day-to-day lifestyles and pressures placed upon them. Could the Average Joe, whose only hassle is often as petty as whether to rent a horror flick or a comedy on DVD, handle it? Most likely, the answer is no --- the average American could not.
 

While living the ‘American Dream’ and always longing to better ourselves are wonderful traits to keep and while there is certainly no harm to come from fantasizing about a life spent with today’s hottest screen and music stars, one thing should remain clear in one’s mind at the end of the day: If something sounds too good to be true , it probably and most likely is.
 

So, while you are sitting at your desk, wishing you were sipping Mai Tai’s with some celebrity starlet or heartthrob, blink a couple of times (pinch yourself, if need be) and focus on the reality. You have a life that is your own, to live as you see fit, without having to answer to the popular opinion that others see fit for you.
 

If your life is a sad life, brighten it. If it is merely a good life, better it. You may not have wealth or fame, but through hard work and self-confidence, you might just find yourself to have more than the celebrities. Maybe you are or will not be better in the terms of monetary gains or bank account figures, but  you will embrace a wholesome life, via wealth attained by personal gratification and acceptance, far more gracious than anything the celebrities will likely ever know.
 

© Copyright 2007 – Jill Eisnaugle.
 

All rights reserved.
 

Jill Eisnaugle is the author of the poetry books, “Coastal Whispers” and “Under Amber Skies.”  Ms. Eisnaugle resides in Texas City, Texas with her family and pets.