I watch a lot of TV. I'm not too proud...or ashamed....to admit that I'm a self-confessed TV junkie.
For half of the time, I watch "good" TV, catching up on educational programming, arts, religious programs, and the news, all the while ensuring that I'm up-to-date on the goings-ons of the world around me.
It's the journalist in me, I suppose. I can't help, not knowing what's going on, out there. I truly believe that I know half as much I do, because of my viewing habits, allowing me to, most of the time, initiate/carry on conversations, on mostly any topic, in any social situation. My viewing habits have also been excellent fodder for my career in brainstorming story ideas for either print, broadcast or online media. So I guess I skew all the data done by those researchers who claim that TV kills brain cells. Maybe they kill the brain cells of the kiddies, but I'm one tough, grown woman.
The other half of the time though, I watch "bad" TV and my Dish Pass reads like an abashedly, trashy, guilty-pleasure collection. I indulge in these shows, just because I can. They don't really have an effect on me either way, positive or negative. I take them at their face value: mindless entertainment. I think the balance of "good" and "bad" TV is absolutely imperative, otherwise your brain cells will actually die. Maintaining the ying and the yang is crucial.
But I digress...
One of the "bad" shows that I indulge weekly in is "The Real Housewives of..." franchise. I watch all of them, "The Real Housewives of Orange County," "The Real Housewives of New York City," and last, but not least, "The Real Housewives of Atlanta."
I love the shows mainly because I'm genuinely intrigued and interested in seeing how the "real-life," "Sex and The City," rich, successful, beautiful women of the world live.
I just have a genuine curiosity in understanding these women. I consider my regular viewing more as an anthropological observation. Watching these women live in their "natural" element (as much as "reality TV" allows one to be "natural.")
In particular, I'm intrigued by the women on "The Real Housewives of Atlanta."
Of the all the women on the three shows, the Atlanta women, seem to possess a superior status of wealth and lifestyle of decadence, mainly due to the majority of them being/have been associated with professional athletes. I think it's this extra "edge" of wealth that intrigues me, for it gives the women another level of motivation in life. A motivation that I just can't relate to.
The Atlanta women always seem to want more, want bigger and want the best in life. If it isn't the best-of-the-best, they act like life isn't worth living. It's always about the pursuit and maintenance of a never-fulfilling pipe dream.
All the women, seem to live lives that are, sadly, immersed in the pursual of fading, earthly things/attributes: money, status, wealth, beauty, fame, youth, etc.
If only these women focused the same energies on something more substantial, such as their eternity.
What if Bravo had the guts to produce a show called "The Real Housewives of Proverbs 31?!" I know, I know, it's a stretch and probably asking too much, but bear with me...
So here's the premise, a reality show based on a bunch of women, (no more than six; apparently that's the magic-ratings formula that Bravo has down pat), who all are striving to be a Proverbs 31 woman.
What the heck, you may ask, is a Proverbs 31 woman?
See exhibit A...
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31:10-31 (New International Version)
Now, I ain't no dummy. I realize the power of media and understand that a reality show based on the premise of virtuosity is a ratings snooze bomb, but a girl can dream right?
I just wish that we, as a world, would put more weight and value on the really important things in life: character, morality, spirituality, etc., instead of the frivolous, materialistic, fleeting "stuff" of this world.
Why is the life of a glamorous professional athlete's wife more desirable than that of a woman who is trying to live right by her faith?
The world's priorities are so screwed up.
All I can say is that WHEN...not IF...Bravo does decide to go ahead with the show concept (hey! you never which top-exec at Bravo may happen upon this blog!), I'll be the first in line for the city-wide castings.
In the meantime, I will continue to watch these shows, and at the end of each hour, be comforted in the fact that I am trying my darndest in living my own reality of becoming a Proverbs 31 woman.
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2 comments:
This show, and many others like the Hills are all quite addicting to watch because one can not fathom that people actually live like this. Their lives are all a big spectacle, to prove to the world...'look at how much money I have'.
It doesn't matter how much money you have, how many material things you possess or how many 'friends' you can buy. It reminds me of that bible verse from the book of Mark:
"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his own soul? -Mark 8:36
You can achieve basically anything with the the power of wealth, however, if you have no God, it is all meaningless.
Here are two other verses:
Luke 16:9-11
And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they will receive you into the eternal dwellings. “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?
Matthew 6:31-33
“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
What matters in the end is not how many friends we have or what we can buy, it's about how we choose to live our lives, serving God and bringing others to Him.
Honestly, if they did have a Proverbs 31 show, I feel that there would be very few people who would be able to fit the bill.
thank you for this. really. *hugs*
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