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Disease of the Mind .............. << previous // next >>
Perhaps you've heard or don't care, but Jonathan Brandis died on November 12th at the age of 27. If the name doesn't ring a bell, perhaps this will: He was a child star and was in several movies such as "The Neverending Story 2", "Ladybugs", and "Sidekicks" and he was in the television series "SeaQuest DSV." In the 1990s I was really into him and it's embarrassing to admit, but I would read those "Bop" and "Big Bopper" magazines, hoping to find out more about him. *Blush* Yeah, those magazines were incredibly popular when I was in elementary school and when I look back, it's funny...Jonathan was usually always on the front cover somewhere, if not, the focus. In fact, he even had a column, which I believe was called "Let's Get Through It Together" and it was like an Ann-Landers-meets-teenage-heartthrob advice column. I would always read it (of course) and he'd usually give pretty good advice to people on a variety of issues regarding weight, puberty, crooked teeth, bullies, parental problems, independence, and you name it. It's sad and ironic that although Jonathan even specifically gave advice to one young reader about suicide, telling her how life is worth living, that many years later, he would commit the act himself. This is just another reminder that it is so much easier to give advice than it is to take it yourself or internalize it. After grade 6, my "Jonathan fascination" plummetted. I stopped reading those kinds of magazines because I had pretty much read all there was to know about Jonathan Brandis in print...hehe...Back then, the internet wasn't as popular as it is now, so you can just imagine how busy I'd be reading websites if I had access to the internet back then! *Smirk* Anyway, so my little celebrity crush (if you want to call it that) faded fast. Perhaps this was because he no longer starred in anymore movies or television shows - at least not to my knowledge at the time. Even the magazines printed less and less about him and just like many other child stars before him, his "time" had flickered away. This once "sensational actor" became a "Who's he? Ohhhhh, him...Is it really that guy?" It was probably an ego blow to his head no doubt. To go from females drooling over you to hardly anyone remembering what you've accomplished in the industry would undoubtedly make anyone somewhat depressed. I don't know if Jonathan was really depressed. This is just my speculation and I guess that's all any of us can do right now. The police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding his death, but it looks pretty grim. They had 'verified' that Jonathan did in fact commit suicide via hanging himself. A friend found him and called the police, but he didn't survive his injuries when he was in the hospital. He didn't leave a "Goodbye note", so it seems mysterious as to the reasons why he killed himself. I cannot even imagine how his parents are feeling...to have raised a child up, have him become a successful and widely acclaimed celebrity and to have all that dashed away literally overnight. It's horrible and while I don't personally know them (or any celebrity for that matter), I am inclined to think that Jonathan was consumed by depression from being a child star to being 'just another person' looking for work. But perhaps his parents and friends DO know the reason, however they don't want the media to publish the truth. I respect that. They deserve some privacy especially during this time of grief. Eventually though, I think the truth will slip out as his parents will eventually want to talk about the death of their son and perhaps some good will come of it - like if they can help prevent future suicides in the world. Sometimes when people read or learn about tragic events, they smarten up and take heed. Of course, other times they don't and it's too late for them. But, we have to continue hoping for the best, even if our optimism is labelled by some as 'unrealistic.' Of course, being a practicing Catholic myself, I believe that suicide is morally wrong. I cannot say that Jonathan was justified in claiming his own life; only God has that right. On the other hand, I really understand his reasons (or...should I say...the reasons I speculated). These kinds of cases compel me to try to do more to help those who feel as though they are being sucked into the black abyss of despair. Just knowing that suicides occur or that people contemplate suicide as an option strikes me as a painful cry for help in this world. It means that we need to love one another more. The fault does not rest on the person attempting suicide...it also rests on society as a whole; that means me and that means you. Together we have to do something about this. We have to try to prevent such atrocious events from creating diseases of the mind. We need to reach out to more people and be friendly, loving individuals every single day of our lives. We cannot just let the boy down the street or that girl you see once and a while in your lecture class to add to the startling suicide statistic. No, not in this country (Canada). No, not even in the United States...or anywhere else. This is a global crisis and for years and years social scientists have been studying this phenomenon. When it comes down to it, the message is to love each other, show compassion, truly listen to that other person. Only then will you and that other person become actualized individuals...and in turn, truly happy people. This disease (if you will) of the mind is eating away at the people you and I should care about...which unfortunately are sometimes the same people that nobody but God thinks about. It's time that we start giving a damn about our community. Yes, we live in the city of urban street lights, loud music, and fast cars, but when all your materials fail you, you will wake up and realize that true happiness starts from within each of us, not from that new sweater you bought on sale or that new Porshe you treat like a Prodical Son. Love begins with you, but love can end with you if you choose such a deleterious path. Make the right choice and open up your heart, mind, and soul to the people who really need it. Money is nice (and I wish I had more), but the wealth we all can accumulate from the heart far exceed all else and really, when you think about it, is it REALLY so hard to be loving, honest people???? 'No' should be your intuitive answer. Think about it for a moment or two....WHY is it so intuitive? Could it possibly be that each person on this earth was put on this earth for a reason/goal greater than the self and its combined interests? Anyway, events such as Jonathan Brandis' death really get me thinking about our life goals that transcend what we are usually taught in school. We really need some 'heart education'. If I don't write another online diary entry before Christmas, I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Yes, I say 'Merry Christmas' and not 'Happy Holidays' because I believe in promoting the true meaning of Christmas, which of course is the birth of Jesus. It was not the birth of Hallmark and corporate cash cows. *Wink* I'd better save THAT commentary for another entry.....haha...Soooo......take care and always remember to spread the sunshine! Bye for now! ~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-. " When You Look Outside, Look Inside To Your Soul " ~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-.~.*-. SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD: "All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey LAST 3 SONGS I LISTENED TO: * "Yellow" by Emm Gryner * "Impossible" by Christina Aguilera * "Winter" by Tori Amos 
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Tuesday December 2nd, 2003. - 5:00 PM