Rockstars

Hi everybody, I'm Vegard and this is my first post on my brand new blog.

Rockstars.
We all want to be rockstars at times.
No, actually, we all are rockstars, in our own way.
At least that's my point of view.

Earlier today, I listened to some music while sitting here by myself working, and I more or less stumbled across the song "Rockstar" by Nickleback, which is pretty much what inspired me to write this post now. It's a kind of satirical and probably somewhat self-ironical song about how we all want to be stars and how commercials and media promote some very shallow, very materialistic ideas of what a successful life is.

I'm through with standin' in line to clubs I'll never get in
It's like the bottom of the ninth and I'm never gonna win
This life just hasn't turned out quite the way I want it to be
(Tell me what you want)

I want a brand new house on an episode of Cribs
And a bathroom I can play baseball in
And a king size tub big enough for ten plus me
(So what ya need)

I need a a credit card that’s got no limit
And a big black jet with a bedroom in it
(...)

OK, I guess that's enough - by now you see exactly where this is headed.

So, my simple question is:
Do you really need any of this to be a happy or successful person?
Is this really worth striving for?
Or are there other things in your life that are more important?

I've got my answer and to me it really wasn't hard to find at all.

'Cause we all just want to be big rock stars
And live in hilltop houses, drivin' fifteen cars
The girls come easy and the drugs come cheap
We'll all stay skinny 'cause we just won't eat

Yeah, that sounds healthy...
Is your life better or worth more if you have a bigger house,
a more expensive car or a more powerful computer?
And do you really have to be skinny to be happy?

I don't think so.

But yeah, I guess it is pretty much true that we all do want to be rock stars - at least some times and in some ways. We all do want to be great at something.
And we all - at least to some extent - do want our greatness to be recognized by others.

We want the easy life - at least some times.

But what really is easy?
How do you measure success in a life?
And what really does make you happy?

I know I really can't answer for you, but for me, I know it's really not about money or a big, huge house or a collection of expensive cars. It's not even about computers, even though they've been my number 1 hobby since childhood and they're now also my work.

I have smaller, simpler and far cheaper things in my life that keep me smiling. Little things like seeing the smiles on my daughters' faces when I come to them or the light of joy and love in my wife's eyes when I've done something to make her happy, hearing the birds sing or watching the sky at sunrise or sunset.
And I don't need to be rich or famous to get any of this - it's all right here for me every day and I just have to open my eyes to it. There are also times when I can find a lot of joy and comfort in my own company, but mostly, I find my life revolves around the people close to me.

Yeah, I do want to be a rockstar. But not in Hollywood or Beverly Hills or anywhere like that. Right here, right now, in my own life and to my own closest family, friends an colleagues is enough for me. And you know what? I think I already have that. I already am a star – in my own life and in my own ways.

Yes, I do have my flaws and yes, I do have bad days, but any star has bad days from time to time. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Madonna, Jon Bon Jovi, Robbie Williams or Elton John.
I’m pretty sure they’ll all tell you the same thing.

The thing we often forget is that just because other people (in this case the rockstars) don’t have the same problems we do, that doesn’t mean they don’t have their problems. We should always remember this and think about it before we envy anybody.

Having a bad day or having problems does not mean you’re not a star. It just means there are things that can be done better, which there always will be, no matter who you are and what you do. Don’t let this drag you down, but use it to your advantage: There are always things that can be done better – and you can be the one to make them better if you choose to. This is your life. You’re the one in charge here.

The stage is set, the lights are on and the audience is waiting.
Can you hear them calling your name?
Smile today. Think positive thoughts.
Then go out there, let the spotlights find you and give them your best,
because in your life, you are the star of every show.