Whitney Houston’s live is a shinning example of many things. She appeared to be on top of the world with talent, beauty and pain. After the show lights were out, she was hurting.
Saturday’s funeral showed her from home, her home church, her roots, where it all began and concluded. She was rooted in family with both parents who adored her, developed her and exposed her to a wonderful secure life. She went forward with a power not a whimper. She could not have had it better as she climbed life’s ladder.
America saw a Baptist church service with all of its glory. Speaker after speaker spoke of her shinning talent. There are life lessons for us all as we review this tragedy.
The most significant lesson being if you have a talent nuture it don’t hinder it with bad habits. This is a red light for young folk. Drinking and doping can ultimately lead to disaster.
Watch the company you keep. You don’t want friends to bring you down. But the bigger question here is what do you do if you have an entourage around that says “Yes” to your every whim. Yes is not always the best answer. The challenge of the star is not to turn employees into enablers. This is a real test of friendship. Where are your real friends. Where is the friend that says no and enough. Where is the friend who supports you for you, not because of your fame, glamour, job, money or associated good times. Whitney seemed rooted, with long time friends and family around her. But who was the friend to stand up to her and speak to her wreckless behavior and addiction.
She had a mentor who loved her dearly in Clive Davis. Who could have had better business friend. He developed her talent and from the moment he saw her to death. He always believed in her. I wonder did he ever speak to her about addictions.
Show business is hard, particularly for women. There are lonely nights on the road. You can slip into the hands of the wrong man, just because.. Her man was wrong for her. All love is not good love. The mix could have been better and everybody saw it. Who did she listen to? All your friends can’t be telling you the same thing and everybody is wrong. Listening to your family and friends is key. Sometimes they can be wrong and everyone leads their own life as they see it, but sometimes they are right.
Whitney was every woman with all of life’s pleasures. But her security, and self esteem were questionable and in the end it took her out. Perhaps, just perhaps you can have too much too soon. Striving and earning in stages and steps is not all bad. It makes you appreciate your success. It makes you stop, listen and take notice.
The upset for me, with Whitney was her faith. Throughout the church service there was one resounding message. She knew the Lord. She knew the Bible. She had her faith. That constitution will take you through the storm. Reciting verse, chapter and biblical quotes is not necessarily knowing. You’ve got to live it.
We lost an angel much too soon, but it was her doing of self. The best thing is to learn the lesson from her life.
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