How to handle fame? Be humble!

What is fame? The advantage of being known by people of whom you yourself know nothing, and for whom you care as little-lord Byron

Why do you like fame so much?

• It makes you known throughout the world.
• Along with fame comes affluence
• You are given importance.
• You move up in the society
• You attract immediate attention.

Fame can be exciting

Fame can be intoxicating and you feel at the top of the world when you become famous. You think the celebrity status you enjoy will last forever. But fame is fickle and an uncertain element which flies from one person to another.

Do you know fame has its own drawbacks?

It brings in isolation, arrogance, conceit and other head- swollen feelings. When not properly handled fame can destroy you, as it is fickle and temporary.

The story of a superstar

India had a super hero who was adulated and adored by the masses. His pictures were sure blockbusters and producers queued to book him for their movies. Heroines vied with one another to be cast opposite him. Such with the case of fame, he became overblown by his own celebrity and acted superior. Fame is inconsistent as it is yours one day, before rushing to embrace another. He gradually lost his hold in the film industry and till his death led a life of total isolation.

Fame is uncertain

If you think your fame is permanent you are sadly mistaken. When you become famous, you visibly feel certain changes in your behavior. You act as though you were born with a silver spoon and alienate yourself from others. Your old friends are thrust aside to accommodate people whom you think are of your elevated status. But in your inner mind you know that you cannot interact with them with the same rapport you shared with your old friends.

Negative changes in your behavior

You become artificial, always sporting a synthetic smile, with no warmth and kindliness. You think that money can buy you anything and your mind places you in an inflated pedestal. You surround yourself with minions who tow your line and they boost up your ego even further by making you feel that you are something out of the world. You should be careful of such minions as they will be there with you only till they enjoy your wealth.

Become humble

With fame, a characteristic that should enter your mind is humility. A person who can handle his fame is never arrogant as he knows that’ this too shall pass’. It is surprising how the once adoring crowd forgets you once another more appealing personality enters the field. You are thrown off balance and instead of being the receiver of fame; you become the spectator to another people’s fame.

Your slide down is instant

You slide down from the pedestal with the speed of an avalanche and you go deep and deep down to the valley of dismal forgetfulness from the public. While the public forget you, those who were victims of your wrath and arrogance gloat with self satisfied smugness.

Never become arrogant

When you are famous you should be humble and unassuming. Your fame should not go to your head to make it swollen with conceit and arrogance. It should make you feel overwhelmed with thankfulness that god has been kind enough to bless you with such fame. A.R.Rahman, the Indian music director is known for his humbleness even after achieving such fame in the music world.

‘Fame is a bee\ It has a song\ It has a sting \ Ah too has a wing-‘Emily Dickinson

Fame combined with humility will win you true accolades. Do not look down on the lesser known persons as you do not know when the wheel of fortune turns to take you down and bring them up to take your place. Yes, fame is a butterfly which one day alights on your shoulders, only to leave you to alight on yet another waiting shoulder.