We are raised to value and crave status be it social, economic, political, or religious. We believe it makes us more important, smarter, and reputable. As children, we are taught to aspire to be doctors, lawyers, or the President. Those are all fine to aspire to be. The problem comes in where we don’t seek that position in hopes to assist others. We crave those positions for the respect it warrants from others. Have you ever noticed yourself wondering what does “enter celebrity’s name here” think about this? Uh, who cares what they think, and why does their opinion mean more to you than yours? Why does it matter more than a person who is unknown but familiar with the issue at hand? You’ve granted them a stamp of approval in every facet of life because they are known for being exceptional in one aspect of their own, if that.

Status is placed into our thought process at a very young age, but we feel it in high school. I happened to enjoy high school and was pretty popular, but I knew that it wasn’t the case for all. Some students hated the fact that they had to attend school because of their popularity. Consider a person’s past, when wondering why adults cannot fully pursue their dream. It is because of who they feel they are. Well, really, who they feel they are not. Who knows what that person could be or could have been if the thought of status didn’t stop them. A status level can be overcome in life. The examples are numerous. “Enter Tech Billionaire’s Name of Choice Here” was not Mr. or Ms. popular in high school. They were not voted most likely to succeed. These people were almost invisible and, now they are some of the most visible people on earth. Status can be temporary. Obtaining status as an adult is way better than having its peak be in high school.

Religious status is another thing that gets us. Why would we (a man/woman) value the words/opinion of a Pastor/Preacher/Bishop/Priest (another man/woman) more than our own? We have the same abilities as them to seek and find answers to the questions that we may have. If we can’t find the answer in this day and age, they can’t find the answer either. Making up answers is something we shouldn’t deal with at all. If that’s the next step, we should all pass on that.

Economic status is by far the most faked status in the world. We have more people attempting to look rich than actually doing things to get rich. People will rent a luxury car to valet park it at a mall. They buy a $300 belt and be sure to show the buckle allowing all to know it is a luxury brand. Quick question: How often do you go around looking at belt buckles? Let’s not forget about the social media fakers. The rent money on the bed people. The posing in the front of someone else’s car or home people. Spending $5,000 on a vacation via credit card to take pictures with the caption “Just Another Day” people. Why? Status, that’s why. The truth is everyone knows of these fronts now. Don’t dig yourself in a hole for people who will not remember what you posted, wore, or drove when they saw you. The only person who will remember is you when dealing with the bill.

In closing, status is fleeting for the majority of us. Enjoy it when it’s there and enjoy when it is not. You are still you. Others are still them, too. You can have a conversation with a scholar who holds multiple degrees, followed by a talk with a homeless person who has a 8th-grade level education about the same topic. The more beneficial conversation will not always come from the accomplished scholar. Valuing opinions is fine but allowing them to trump your own is dangerous. Think about it, if you have your mind made up about something you think is good for you and one or two people can swing you to the other side, how important, smart, or reputable are you to yourself? Get your act together not because I say so, but because after reading this, you say so.

Food for Thought…You Do The Dishes!