6 July 2007

On Sunday, 1 July 2007, the Princes William and Harry gave a tribute concert to their mother, in memory of her death ten years ago and more importantly, in celebration of her life and accomplishments.  In respect of the old Latin adage, de mortuis, nil nisi bonum, I will restrain myself.  Do not get me wrong.  I have no disparaging remarks against "the People's Princess" rather, I am at a loss when she is extoled to the level of a Saint when ten years ago at around the same time, a true saint - Mother Theresa - also passed away.  So when is her concert?  Where is her tribute?  Where are the countless books in her honor?

I remember ten years ago when Time magazine was debating as to whom they would choose as their "Person of the Year".  The choice came down to the late Princess Diana and to Mother Theresa.  I remember there being much debate about the choice and I remember my shock when Time chose the former over the latter.  Actually, since that choice, I have not purchased the magazine. 

A little pause is past due when someone who marries into royalty is chosen for philanthropic accomplishments in the aesthetically pleasing art world over a woman who devoted an entire lifetime to alleviate and oftentimes, to heal the pain and suffering of others.  For all that Mother Theresa gave, contributed, and devoted, there is so much more the general public (especially me) does NOT know about this remarkable individual.  Moreover, I genuinely would like to know more about her rather than the inane acts of young Hollywood.

In this media-driven celebrity-psycophantic world, it just seems like a theft of 'world wisdom' that we can know every detail of the selfish, self-seeking, self-gratifying individuals we see in the tabloids and the news and know relatively nothing about the selfless, world-empowering everyday saints like Mother Theresa.  Now, I am not of the Catholic faith, however, I am of the human faith, with the wholehearted belief in every individual's potentiality towards world-greatness and the aggrandizement of all through truly good acts of healing, giving, and loving.  I am NOT of the 60s "free love" generation either, but I do hold strongly to the belief in the power of love in healing others. 

Mother Theresa was a paragon example of this type of love. 

She had a healing touch to which many afflicted attested.  She was not afraid to live with the diseased, to sacrifice herself, and to alleviate their pain and suffering despite her own.  Just looking at her example - just thinking of her - made you feel better about life, living, and humanity.  She restored my faith in the power of just one individual to make a difference - a significant positive impact - and she proved to me that there is an existent world potentiality so pregnantly enclosed within hyphenation.

So returning to the "Concert for Diana", where is Mother Theresa's tribute?  I know all there is to know about the late Princess - even information I wish I never wanted to know (can we say 'overshare'?) - but what about Mother Theresa and the countless others who give themselves selflessly everyday?  Why is there not extensive (or any) coverage of these heroes? 

Why have we chosen self-gratification over selfless acts of giving? 

Why have we sacrificed our imagination for instant gratification? 

Why do we choose to live in world of hell over one of healing?

When will we awaken from this nightmare to extricate ourselves from the cesspool that suffocates our life and finally tap into our potentiality?  Until then, in this reality, please give me virtuality!