PRE-CELEBRITY CRISIS

Listen up, everyone!

It’s when you are unknown and perhaps broke that you really know who loves you and got your back. 

Not when you’ve ‘blown’ and become a sensation or celebrity. 

There are certain celebrities that I personally knew when they were broke and unknown—a few I even helped with transport money back in the days.

There are certain currently well-to-do people I bought lunch for when they had no income.

There are some people that I had made sacrifices for—to help them get their first car or get married or something that meant a lot to them back then.

Without strings attached.

Just because I felt that I could help.

Just because I valued them enough.

Just because I wanted to help a friend in need.

Not because I was expecting a payback of sorts.

Some have come back to say thanks in their own way. 

Some may not yet have seen the need to do so.

There are people who have helped me too.

Some in reciprocity to what I may have done for them—my support, loyalty, service, giving, access, opportunity, networking, etc.

And God helping me, I will know what to do.

But really, that’s not the main point of this piece. 

There are certain celebrities who I see now and I wish I knew them before they became so popular. 

I see their inner person beyond the fame.

I have listened to them. I have observed them.

I have checked out their souls and spirits.

Don’t get it twisted—I also see all their flaws.

I see their mess but I also see their light.

Beyond the famous persona, I am able to see and connect deeply with the real human on the inside.

Yes, even someone as far away as Michael Jackson.

As a very young man, I listened to him (not just his singing and dancing performances) and heard the human being behind that great global razzmatazz.

(Note: I am this way with my friends or associates who are very much unknown, also with everyday people and even broke people—it doesn’t matter.)

(If I cut off, it’s usually for good reason—to avoid mutual extension of or exposure to toxicity, to not give the wrong signal to the opposite gender, to protect every party involved from infractions, etc.)

When you’ve become rich and famous, it’s hard to know who really loves you for you—the real you.

Don’t blame the affluent for protecting themselves from the same people who hurt them or took them for granted when they were broke or unknown.

If it’s you, what would you do? 

Think honestly about it, if you will.

But let this be your major takeaway from this:

Never take people for granted.

You never know. 

Abientot!