I am very saddened by the news of Robin Williams death, like so many others in this world. He was a wonderful human being who shared so much of himself in the movies he was in, and otherwise. A gem. A bright light. In fact, I found myself yesterday watching a few clips of some of his performances. Instantly I was reminded of the extreme depth he often took on board in the characters he played. Sometimes it was humorous and light, other times extremely deep and profound. In fact, I dare to say life changing. And suddenly I wondered. If a person has such unrestrained access to so much energy and wisdom coming through, then it must be challenging to nourish the smaller self inside. A soul of such magnitude with unhealed wounds, can so easily suffer. They've got it made, right. They have success. Still, if there are emotions left to linger, it may be hard to handle being under such focus and scrutiny. Someone I know encountered Robin Williams once and she said that privately he appeared quite shy and humble. It makes me think of the words Nelson Mandela so famously said as he came out of prison (from a poem by Marianne Williamsson). One line in particular struck me: "It is our light, not our darkness, that most frighten us." 

And this brings me to the fact that so many talented people are under extreme scrutiny in the horrible media circus this world has created. These people, or anyone expressing themselves creatively, are so courageous in my opinion, putting themselves out there with all their talent, skill and passion. It makes a person great, but also vulnerable. They are put down, in particular by these horrible magazines we see on the shelves in shops all over. They are taken to the cleaners for every step and action they do. For what? So other people will feel comfortable in their cozy existence of ignorance? So other people don't feel bad that they don't dare to shine? I don't know. We all have the capacity to be bright stars. We don't have to be famous to be so, just true to our own hearts. It's just that when a person becomes famous they are suddenly public material, as if any privacy has been deleted from their realm. It requires a lot of inner strength do deal with this kind of attention, positive or negative. To be who we are is our birthright. To express our uniqueness and glory in this world, isn't that what we so beautifully owe ourselves? So let's celebrate these brave souls for showing us the way to greatness. Let's be inspired, uplifted, touched, brought to tears. They are wonderful, but not perfect. They are open, but not bullet proof. Their gift to others ought to be deeply respected. The need to find their flaws is only petty and cowardly. We all have faults and we all make mistakes, famous or not. There is no need to put these people on imaginary stools and then let the cheap media flick them off on the behalf of those who live a more mediocre life. Nothing wrong with mediocre, but that kind of media is downright wrong. All to make money. So there's no wonder that many famous people struggle. If you feel like going to the store on a bad day and the world make a story about you which isn't true, taking pictures and lying and creating drama, then I imagine it would be hard to meet that inner child that perhaps is a little lost and tired. Also, the internal process of such extreme exposure must be confusing in any case, media rudeness or not. Or so I imagine. I don't claim that I know what went on inside of Robin Williams mind. He was hugely celebrated, which is wonderful. I just explore the phenomena of being talented and well-known. Sense what it might be like to be so creatively open to the world and yet human, all the same. In the end of the day we are all equal, in all aspects of the word. This will be our greatest virtue as we move forward in my sense. To lift each other up regardless. To trust that we are perfect as we are, all while polishing our own skills and abilities. We ought to help one another when we loose our footing, hug each other when we cry. This, I sense, will bring about more peace in this world, without losing the ambition.

With that I say, may your soul soar Robin Williams. Wherever you are now. You left an in print on this world that will touch many for years to come, and for that I am deeply grateful.