Memoir of an Ex Paris Hilton Wannabe

For people who know me presently it would be rather difficult for them to imagine me liking Paris Hilton with even a fiber of my being.  On the contrary, those who were involved in my life as a teenager have seen me grow from a silly, strange girl who counted every single calorie to an even more ridiculous but slightly more aware person who is not afraid of a cheeseburger.  In high school, my biggest ambition was to literally become Paris Hilton.  The bubble of my world was so small and limited to media interpretations to dictate the way I viewed the world.

My moments of conversion and rehabilitation from self-involved boredom largely happened in our neighboring country of Mexico during high school.  Exposure to raw human existence and survival was an eye-opener to me which challenged my goals and view of the world.  One little girl really impacted me and opened up my heart to a world of love, compassion, and challenge that I still strive to be immersed in daily.  I was walking down the dusty street with this young girl talking about the little things I could actually communicate about in Spanish and we came upon a small shop; a roadside boutique.  I was craving a Coke so I stopped by to get some drinks and snacks for us.  In countries where there aren’t all-purpose, everything you need shops conveniently placed every four or so blocks, these roadside shops often are stocked with snacks, food, pre-paid cell phone cards, and sandals/shoes/clothing items.  I noticed a pair of pink sandals hanging in the back of the shop and recalled as I had been walking with the young girl that her sandals were broken and very difficult to walk in.  Without much thought, I bought the sandals, which may have been a total of $2 and handed them to the little girl.  Her response was unlike anything I had ever seen in my life before.  She began crying and thanking me profusely.  I really couldn’t understand what I had done to receive so much thanks but hugged her and said, “de nada”, it was nothing.  From that moment on, I knew that in my world, there was nothing more important than giving hope and showing kindness to children and people who need it most.  In the Bible is says that we each have a specific purpose and function within the world to show God’s love.  My challenge is continuously to find opportunities to show compassion, kindness, and love to those around me.  And to think, I learned all of this from a few weeks in Mexico!

Most people can look back into the different slides that make up their life so far and find the moments that changed them forever.  This moment drastically changed my life view which set me up for the possibility of experiencing some things in life that I would have never imagined possible.  So, immersed in our US culture, is it possible to be a completely recovered Paris Hilton wannabe?  Does one have to reject pop-culture to feel meaningful and purposeful?  The burning question really does have an answer.  We are surrounded by and bombarded daily, or even by the second if you SMS, by media interpretations of how we should view the world are front and center dictating our guide to being cool.  Being immersed in the world of pop culture can be fun and a good conversation topic but I suppose that fine line between PH wannabe and socially conscious human being who feels purpose is the ratio of media exposure to activities that are meaningful and productive.  So before I get too high on a pedestal, I am going to admit right here and right now that coming home from a long day at work, the first thing I want to do, and usually actually do, is turn on the TV and veg out.  I am also noticing though that my mentality and motivation to go out and do exciting, adventurous things has decreased and I think the two are directly related.  Technology is so important and provides so much for the world but I am beginning to see much more clearly that boundaries much be placed on media outlets and communication devices to retain a certain sense of humanity and sense of liveliness.  Sitting in front of the TV means we get to turn our brain off for a few minutes, which while wonderful once in a while, turns me into a literal vegetable after a few hours.  Sending a text message is so easy and convenient especially when you are in a hurry or on the Metro but it can make us forget how to hold a real live conversation on the phone.  I mean, ending a conversation is so awkward, so with a text conversation I can just let it drift off, right?  My challenge to myself recently has been in the realm of resisting what is easy and pushing myself to work harder for relationships and finding purpose in my life.  Having phone conversations and not being the one to end them.  Only watching TV when I am with other people so it is more social.  Reading the same books as my friends so we can hold each other accountable for actually READING!  That’s all I’ve got for now but I want to think of more ways to live unreasonably and a challenged.  Ideas?

& here is a song that has some pretty baller lyrics, check it:

Are you satisfied with an average life
Do I need to lie to make my way in life

Are you satisfied with an easy ride
Once you cross the line
Will you be satisfied?

-Marina & The Diamonds