When Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977, our
country lost a remarkable man. Many people remember only his
talents, his fame, his success, and his wealth. For others,
the outstanding image is that of his tragic end, when he
slowly succumbed to the ravages of medications. But as most
fans know, there is always more to a life than what the mass
media portray. Coming to this country
in the mid-1950s, I had the privilege of shaking Elvis's
hand at a high school concert. From that moment on, the King
was part of my life, even though I never learned to
appreciate his music. In fact, I often felt disgusted by his
style and the fanatic response it evoked in his audiences.
Yet at the same time something
attracted me to him, because I felt that here was a unique
individual struggling to find his true identity. I am
certain that it was through this struggle that God gave him
the humor, humility, and kindness that endeared him to
millions of people. These traits were even more important
than his music.
Popularity and wealth often obscure the
real person. I have met many famous people-politicians,
Hollywood and sports stars-and often found them to be deeply
lonely, because their material comforts hinder them from
relating to their neighbors. They are isolated because they
have to live up to an image, so as not to disappoint their
audience and fans. After a while this buries the true self
and prevents community with one's fellow human beings.
Our images of others are often shallow.
Every biographical piece on Elvis mentions, for example,
that he was born in the humblest of circumstances in
Mississippi. But how many of us know that he had a twin
brother who was stillborn, leaving Elvis to grow up as the
only child? And how many of us really identify with that
poverty and know how it shapes a life? I do, having grown up
in the jungles of Paraguay. As is often the case, the
deprivations of Elvis's childhood seem to have given him a
deep hunger for fellowship with others and a desire to serve
them by giving them something to be happy about-even if only
a song.
People often self-righteously dismiss
celebrities because they are turned off by the glamour,
fame, and excess that surround them. How many remember that
behind the frenzied publicity and the scandals cooked up by
tabloids is a vulnerable person with emotions-a real person
with a heart-and not just a two-dimensional cardboard
cutout? How many know, for instance, about Elvis' compassion
and his philanthropic endeavors, which often received no
publicity at all? Close friends say he quietly paid hospital
bills, bought homes, supported families, paid off debts, and
did much more. His generosity continues through a foundation
whose charitable work is yet another facet of his legacy.
Elvis had a weakness for opulence, but
his deeper values come to expression in a wonderful way.
Before a childhood birthday of his daughter, he told a
friend what he wanted most for her: "I want Lisa to know
what the important things in life are. Money is not
important-it is fleeting, and all this is just vanity."
Elvis knew his shortcomings. He was an ordinary guy who
battled all the normal temptations. But he also had a
vision, as expressed in a comment he made to a reporter:
"I ain't no saint, but I've tried never
to do anything that would hurt my family or offend God...I
figure all any kid needs is hope and the feeling he or she
belongs. If I could do or say anything that would give some
kid that feeling, I would believe I had contributed
something to the world."
In other words, for him, relationships
were much more important than the glitter, fame, and money
he is mostly known for.
Elvis once made the remarkable
statement, "Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a
time, but it ain't going away." The truth is that his life
of only forty-three years had a defining influence on the
culture that made America what it is in the eyes of the
world. Despite his flaws, his life can inspire any child,
rich or poor, to reach out and touch the lives of others.
Elvis must have felt that his time in
this world would be short. Through this he seems to have
received a down-to-earth wisdom that is clearly felt through
reading about his search in life, and through pondering such
statements as: "The image is one thing and the human being
is another...It's very hard to live up to an image." And
"Don't criticize what you don't understand, son. You never
walked in that man's shoes." Such words reflected his
personal experience.
It is these things that make Elvis
important to me, and they are what I would like to pass on
to my children, and to you. If you take an interest in every
human, however obscure or renowned, you may be surprised to
find a great soul hiding. Even beneath the flashiest
surface.
?© 2003 Johann Christoph Arnold
------------------------------------
[Johann Christoph Arnold is an author
and minister with the Bruderhof Communities ( http://www.bruderhof.com
). Read more of his articles and books at http://www.ChristophArnold.com
.]
Re: Starfish: Surviving the Summer
Heat
We are in a terrible period of heat
and (southern) HUMIDITY right now in New Hampshire and I
HATE it!! This story was an encouragement that "this, too,
shall pass" and we will get the freezing cold temperatures
of winter soon enough. It WOULD be wonderful if we could
"bottle up" the heat for the future cold and release some of
that cold we had last winter to be used right now, but then
I guess we'd be living in Hawaii where there are no "four
seasons!" I'll try harder not to complain because it
doesn't do any good and besides, who wants to live with a
complainer? (not me!)
Nancee
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Hi
I read your article and could be true but I have met others
in the same mold that had people who did try and help. They
saw the harm and tried to do as Christ wanted. These beings
were so evil at the beginning they made sure never to let
the light in. They were permanent victims that were going to
make all pay. They are extremely selfish and self-centered.
They do not wish to change. You must remember Hitler forced
a Jewish Doctor to work on his mother when the Doctor said
it was hopeless. But it is easier to blame and innocent that
take responsibility for one self. It is easier to be a
victim than to arise above the horror. It is easier to
reject God's help and over come life??™s trials. God did not
promise us roses but he promised us always to aid us and
gave us the greatest gift of all his son who took all our
evil[sins} away. He brings the peace and is the peace but
you have to get pass one self to
hear.
Lora Hafer
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
(Re: Loren Moore)
Just a quick note to say how much I
enjoy Loren??™s writings. He makes me feel like I am there
with them. Please tell him thank you for me.
Dianne Chambers
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Re: Shepherd's Fields
Shepherd's Fields: Margo has written
another beautiful story. Bless you Margo for not listening
to the others and following your own heart
Carol Roach
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Re: Shepherd's Fields
Margo took me on a trip I would love
to go on! But I indeed felt like I was with her! The sign of
a good writer!
Betty king
Betty invites you to visit her new updated and expanded
Moments of Reflection website
www.betty.newsmoose.com
God can do anything,
the secret lies in letting Him.
~Betty King~
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Re: Everything I Needed to Know??¦??¦??¦??¦
Is there anyway you can retrieve
"Everything I Needed to Know" for me. I missed it and as a
former first grade teacher who taught with "Dick and Jane"
--- and Spot and Puff! --- I would like to share it with my
colleagues who had the same experience. I will also share
it with an acquaintance who has no connection with
education, but he loved Dick and Jane so much that he bought
a calendar featuring them! Many thanks if you can help
me.
Jean Ann Phinney
(Done ??“ glad to be of service??¦..Bob)
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Re: Shepherd??™s Fields
The story of the little girl in
Shepherd's Field in Bethlehem reminded me of the little girl
about the same age who attached herself to me at the stone
carving of Chief Crazy Horse in South Dakota. She was a
Native American who was there with her family. My husband
and I were looking up at the statue while sitting on a
bench. The little girl came over and laid her head in my
lap; I stroked her hair and felt a wave of warmth come over
me as the tears threatened to burst forth from my eyes, just
thinking of the struggles and persecutions which these
people have endured through no fault of their own, just by
being in this land when it was overtaken by people such as
myself. It was a memorable moment. Her mother looked over
and smiled and I felt "forgiven."
Nancee Donovan
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Re: Gravel Roads
Al's Gravel Roads made me wish once
again I could walk! I hope to meet him on a gravel road upon
yonder some day! Perhaps we can take a pathway that leads to
the feet of Jesus and talk along the way!
Betty King
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Blessings to you. Have a great week ahead.
Bob Johnston
Minneapolis
Starfish @ Ripplemaker.com
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