The Pastor said this in church one Sunday and it struck a chord with me because it’s so true and can be applied to many situations. Have you ever noticed that every time a celebrity engages in less than tasteful behavior, it is often met with praises, a greater fan base and an opportunity to capitalize on their said “distastefulness”? Of course there are still people with sense that recognize that the circus acts celebrities put on aren’t all rainbows and butterflies. But there’s always one donkey (I was trying not to curse) who will throw out the old “You can say what you want about so-and-so but they’re still getting money.” Ummmm Drug dealers and strippers get money too… what exactly is your point?

Is T.I. Ruining His Career?

These days, people replace moral values with having money and you can’t blame them. After all, moral values don’t make the world go round. Look at Charlie Sheen. That man is PAID. He’s even about to embark on a national tour stemming from his recent media hoopla. What’s he going to be doing on this tour? Not stand-up comedy. Not acting. Nope. Just talking. I expect it would be similar to that bull he was talking about warlocks, tiger-blood and bi-winning on that interview he did. He is expected to gross $7 million from this tour. Smh. Save for the fact that it’s entertaining. Why are we willing to pay to see a crackhead stand up in front of an audience and say crackhead things? If this was your neighborhood dope fiend you wouldn’t even give them a dollar in passing. Only difference I see is that Charlie Sheen has money. But despite the fact that he’s “getting money” This man has a problem. A problem that lost him his job and got his kids removed from his home. I’m sure he doesn’t look at it that way, especially since he is still paid so it’s all winning in his eyes. But what if he wasn’t rich? How would he look at his situation differently?

You can apply to the same thought process to real life. When people constantly dodge bullets and get away with destructive behavior, they think its ok. Sure you didn’t have to take drug testing to get your high paying job. But you’re so comfortable in your dysfunction now because there have been no consequences before, that you can sit in your jobs parking lot and smoke a joint? Now you’re fired. (True story) So what makes you any different than the smoked out weedhead on the corner? Nothing now.

Why is it that when someone from a low-income, engages in similar behavior it’s such a big deal, but just because someone is considered successful they get a pass? Either way, it’s not healthy to come home and drink vodka by the glass every night. It’s not ok to snort a line of coke before breakfast. It’s just not ok. But because people are successful, they feel like they have a right to be able to do certain things since it hasn’t affected their life on the outside. Sure your co-workers may not have the slightest idea in your after work pleasantries. You may even be the top performer. But at the end of the day any addition = a problem.

Being addicted to something is usually a supplement for something else that’s going on, which is why I consider it a dysfunction. And in case you need clarification on what an addiction is, it’s something that you do to seek pleasure initially; it eventually becomes something that you depend on to feel normal. That means if you NEED it to feel good, you’re addicted. If you NEED it to calm down, you’re addicted. If you NEED it to fall a sleep comfortably, you’re addicted. If you NEED it to have a good time, you’re addicted. Your day will not go smoothly in you don’t engage in your addictive behaviors, which is how you end up smoking weed in the parking lot of your job.
Being a successful functioning addict can have you feeling invincible, above the law, above all health risks, as long as you’re still doing better off than most. It makes you comfortable in feeling the rules don’t apply to you. Yea you’ve heard about the many people who were successful and lost their jobs and family, due to drugs, alcohol abuse, gambling, etc. But what happens when your dysfunction is the very thing that leads to your downfall a la Charlie Sheen. Are you still winning?

Written By: Damaris

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