Why do we put people on pedestals? Why do we create an image of people that causes us to see them as superior to us? The only individual that ever deserved to be graced with such a position was Jesus. After all he was the one and only perfect human to walk this land. This is nothing new to anyone. All of us acknowledge that no other human is perfect and worthy of such honor yet we all do it. In fact I bet if you stop to think of all the people in your life I bet you would find that there is at least one person you look up to not just as an good example worthy of imitation but someone who at least subconsciously you feel could do no wrong.
My mother used to be upon a golden alter. She knew how to do almost everything, she possessed the answers to everything, she was the strongest, wisest, most talented woman I knew. As I grew older I realized that I was nothing like my mother and therefore inadequate in every way.
My brother was and is still residing humbly upon the marble stone I place him upon. When I was younger I was pained with envy because he was there, now I applaud him for all he is and seek him when I need help.
My ex-boyfriend possessed the highest of honors. I've known him for 17 years and from the first time I met him, not just I but my entire family placed him upon a lofty throne. In time I began to see that he was in his own right, a kind of superstar. And I was not the only one who clamored to be around him, hoping that some of his greatness would rub off.
However I've come to realize that there are a couple of problems that are created when we elevate others above their proper dwelling place. First of all we tend to devalue ourselves and our abilities or qualities because we compare ourselves to them and their real or perceived greatness that we will never reach. Second we really set ourselves up to be disappointed and hurt by them and can send the one perched high above us to a long hard painful fall. As was mentioned before, we know full well that they are not perfect, so the longer we know them, the more time we spend with them the chances of them doing the "one" thing that we never would imagine them doing are greatly increased. It's not to say that they will do the unthinkable, but the fact is they could and might and then, if or when it happens...
I'm just saying, why can't we admire qualities they posses, appreciate them and see them as they rightly are- Imperfect, flawed, good, wonderful people?
