Mr. Limelight

We’re approaching one month since our local icons, in their worldly known colors, stepped to the platform, gathered up their hardware and saluted their universal fan base with smiles, blown kisses and synchronized thank yous. The scene was beautiful for all those who’ve followed the team year after year to embrace. Watch it, feel it, be a part of it. Reaching ones goal should never be taken for granted. Many comprehend this … many fail to repeat the task.

As the world goes by us at a pace that seemingly can’t be slowed, those of us in our own little space usually are able to take a step back and analyze ourselves, make decisions that won’t harm us, discover who we are and act accordingly. All without drama.

Others cannot.

Some need the admiration. Some feed on it like attention sustains them. These poor souls are not fulfilled anywhere unless the news that made them a ‘star’ never escapes their daily lives.

Sad.

It’s apparent that one individual, a very well-known ‘superstar’ in the biz, is afflicted with this disease. At every turn our icon feels the need to reenter the world of entertainment via putting himself ‘out there’ and making sure that his face appears in the newspaper. He just can not seem to help himself.

Here stands a soul, who has set a plethora of records during his career and the astronomical amount of money that he’s earned has not made him a happy man nor a content person. Why? I can only surmise that he knows not what to do. His only real love is to be on that stage and perform as only he knows how. He strives and thrives for the applause. To relax, to be at peace with himself is a part of himself he has yet to meet.

His past and present has been to deal with his addictive personality. Earlier in his career he needed to medicate to ‘get back out there,’ to make the little distractions disappear and to be there for the rest of his supporting cast. It worked for years but the money kept rising and the accolades being presented to him were appearing in droves. He didn’t deal with the situation as admirably as he would have wished. To contain himself wasn’t something he felt as if he needed to do but the self-destruction was becoming apparent. To spiral out of control was the only way it could’ve gone. To continue to perform even though his performances were lacking. His cast knew it but the help just wasn’t there. To assess himself as being in harm’s way wasn’t an option as he felt as long as he made it in front of the cameras, all was good. No harm, no foul.

Alas, the poor soul finally crumbled before our very eyes. He couldn’t go on. He was a wreck of his former self. Sure the star was still that … a star and yet his staff had to finally make the call for him. To cease and desist all operations of ‘the game’ itself. The star, not understanding the situation as was presented to him, made accusations and pretended, only to himself, that not only did he not have a problem but that he could continue without fail. The show could still go on and be better than before since he was the best there was. No one better.

Sad.

I hope he can get help. To find himself and be an inspiration to the millions of his fans that are out there. To live up to his name that was proven to have star power during his past. To realize that he doesn’t need the limelight to make himself whole. The show can and will go on without him.

Charlie Sheen. A sad scene before our very eyes. The pinnacle of stardom reached. The abundance of money made. The just as quick crash from the upper crust of the entertainment world. Find yourself, Charlie, become a teammate again. It’s much bigger than just you.

(If you thought this piece was about #4, you’re not alone and it was intentional but really … he’s history. Charlie is now)

Reiny