Is It All About ME?

Here's the situation. You and your friends are hanging out on a Friday night. You're having a good time. Maybe you're at a music store looking at discs . . .maybe you're at Starbucks sipping a Frappuccino . . . maybe you're standing in line to see X-Men 2 or checking out a friend's party or somewhere listening to a band. It doesn't matter. You fill in the blanks with whatever you and your friends do on Friday night. The point is . . .

At some point in the evening, you turn around and see Kelli Osbourne standing there. Yes, the famous Kelli Osbourne - star of MTV's "The Osbournes," wanna-be punk musician, daughter of the infamous Ozzy Osbourne. . . and most importantly, Jack's brother. There stands Kelli Osbourne talking with a group of friends. It's not that you're being nosey and listening to her conversation, but you hear Kelli say:

"It might sound selfish, but I do whatever makes me happy, as long as I don't hurt anyone . . . in the end you have to care more about what you think of yourself and whether you're a good person." (which she actually said in Teen People, April 2003)

You don't have the guts to interrupt her conversation, but on the way home you and your friends talk about what Kelli said. What do you think about what you heard? How did it make you feel? Do you think she's super-wise and really knows what she's talking about, or is way off base and flying around in space? How self-absorbed do you think it's ok to be? Is it really all about me?

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I feel that what she said is half way true. I feel that as you go through life you do not need to conform to the world and follow the crowd. I think you should be yourself. But the most important thing is we need to live for Christ and what he wants for us. We are put on this earth for a reason and that reason is to live out Gods will for our lives. So we are not living for ourselves but for Him. Brittnay, age 18

I think Kelli's right and wrong in two different ways. You should be allowed to do some things that make you happy (not sex or drugs or anything crazy like that), but never anything that could hurt anyone. You should care about yourself and others, not just yourself. As far as whether you're a good person or not, that's up to your personal opinion; however, the only way to know if you're a good person and to be a good person is to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and make him Lord of your life. Will, age 16

I would have to somewhat agree with what she said. I think it is very important what you think of yourself and that you like yourself and at the end of the day make yourself happy. I don't like trying to please others. I did that for a rather long time and I just got sick of it. It doesn't do you any good. You just end up getting eaten alive because all you are doing is worrying about everyone else and not yourself. Your opinion of yourself is all that matters at the end of the day. Jami, age 16

It's kind of like what my mom says, "No person is an island." Eventually what you do will affect someone else. Just because you don't think you are hurting anyone, doesn't mean that you aren't. You can think that sleeping around doesn't hurt anyone but yourself, but what about AIDS, diseases, or that unwanted baby. Your choices should be made more on what would please God than what would please you. Sara, age 16

Actually, we should care more about what God thinks of us first. Yes, we need to please ourselves too, but God should be our number one, and we should be concerned with God's impression of us. Anna, age 16

For the most part what she says sounds understandable, but some parts are a little self absorbed. I mean yeah, do what makes you happy, do the things that make you the person that you are. But if it comes down to drinking, doing drugs and sleeping around? Then those are not good things... plain and simple. And yes it's important to think of yourself, but if that's all that you do then you'll become a very self righteous kind of person . . . Yes think of yourself so you're not a doormat, but also be aware of those around you. Betsy, age 15

They say they never want to hurt anyone. Their language shows their true side. People are hurt and dislike listening to f___ this and f___ that. She says she does not want to hurt anyone then use proper language and make Christ your life not music. Christ is life, the rest is details. So if she wants to live out her quote then she should follow the Lord. Bethany, age 14

I think Kelli is "in space" and has no idea what she's talking about. I mean, not to be judgmental or anything, it's just if she wants to be good, I believe she needs God in her life. Everyone knows that their whole family needs God. Personally, if she speaks like that, I think she needs to take some time and think about what she's saying and apply it to her own life. Steph

If she thinks that she can do what she wants to, then it'll be her fault if she messes up her life. She may not think that it'll hurt her now, but in the long run it will hurt her spiritually and physically. She won't care what anyone says about what she does. Her parents ARE lenient, but when they tell her not to do anything, she still ignores them. So in my opinion, no matter what we say, she's gonna do what she wants. The only thing we can do is pray...... Cassidy, age 14

It all depends on the meaning of "good person". One person's idea of being a good person may be different that another person's idea. It is not just what YOU think about yourself, it is also about what God thinks about you. If God thinks you're a bad person, then consider yourself screwed with an eternal life in hell. But if you repent and God forgives you, then you're a good person in God's mind and that is what matters in the end. Also if you're a good person in God's mind then the chances of hurting anybody is very slim unless you offend them by following God. If you follow God then you will be happy. Tyler, age 18

I agree with Kelli. Today, people try and live up to the standards of society. Society has this set image of what the perfect person looks like and acts like. People are losing their individuality and instead, changing themselves for everyone else. People try and make other people happy, and end up making themselves miserable. If being yourself makes you happy, then go for it. I know that I kind of go with society some, but I also do what makes me happy. People can take it or leave it. If you don't like me for who I am, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have to change to be how you want me. You have to not care, but yet you can't get too caught up and become selfish. You just have to make sure you don't say or do things that hurt others, and you'll be fine. Brandee, age 15

Kelli Osbourne means well, but her philosophical statement just isn't cutting it for me. Granted, she desires happiness without incurring pain on others--and that's respectable. But what gets to me is her final statement: "in the end you have to care more about what you think of yourself and whether you're a good person." Can she speak from experience? Has she ever reached "the end"? Because if she has, then I think the last thing that would ever be on her mind would be whether she thinks she's a good person. I may be looking too far into this, but she certainly is not looking into this enough. In "A Purpose-Driven Life," Rick Warren says that, in the end, God will judge us by two basic questions: (1) What have you done with my Son, Jesus Christ? and (2) what have you done with the gifts I have given you? One question determines where we will spend eternity, and the other determines what we will be doing in eternity. And I can tell Kelli this--a sheer quest for happiness with an independent sense of self-evaluation would not yield success before God's throne. I would tell Ms. Osbourne that God has given her the gift of being a major influence on thousands of teenagers, nationwide, and that, after answering the call to salvation, she can definitely contribute to the eternal Kingdom. That way, the Lord would fill her with joy (even better than happiness), and, in the end, she would never be hurting anyone by carrying the Gospel at heart. Thomas, age 19

I agree with Miss Osborne in saying that her response was a very selfish comment. It was very egotistical and flirted with the fact that one only needs to be a "good person." In God's Word, it tells us that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and that he is the only way to eternal life in heaven. Miss Osborne's comment was very contrary to what scripture tells and what the Holy Spirit confirms. Gwen, age 17

I disagree with what Kelly said completely. Because she is famous, many people see what she does and they hear what she has to say. She also has many people that look up to her so what she does can effect another person. She could easily offend someone or influence another person with her actions and that makes what she does very important. anonymous

We should care what God thinks before anyone else. Why care what others think? I mean, I know she means well but she should care more about what God thinks. We try to stay "in style" or "cool" but it's not worth it. Most teenagers care what others think and do not care what God thinks when it should be the other way around. You should care what God thinks and not others. If you have ever watched the Osbournes there is very obscene language and is a bad influence on teenagers. You should care what God thinks.Sarah, age 14

I think that Kelli was somewhat right but for different reasons, I guess. I somewhat pride myself on not conforming to what everyone else thinks is cool or what not. To an extent she is right by saying that it is important to be okay with yourself and if you think you're a good person. But that line of thinking ends when you start doing stuff that just isn't right with God and his set limits. Once you've started to disobey God with your "individuality" and "personal happiness" then you've hit the line. If you cross the line then you become a hypocritical christian (which a hint to all of you out there to know -- it makes the rest of the Christian population look bad) and you become the excuse for others to use when they do the same thing and get caught. Meaning if you go out drinking because it makes you happy then you've crossed a line because the alcholic sitting next to you figures that if you're a christian and you can handle a couple drinks then so can he. Now you've become responisble for that man/woman. Do you really want to have to carry that with you? Becca, age 16

I think that what Kelly said was wrong. You shoud not care about just just yourself there is more to life than just you. Like it says in the Bible "give and you shall recive." It is worng to think just about yourself. There are alot of of people out there that can't even afford to buy a shirt, and all she can think of is herself. And do what makes you happy. I'm sure if she was one of the poor people she would have second thoughts about "do what makes you happy". If she was the poor little girl on the side of the street that couldn't even buy a one dollar shirt. Jaimie, age 12

I think that she is right about you need to feel good about yourself but the thing is in my life it's not all about ME. I learned that this week at a Camp I went to and honestly I think that Kelli is wise to a certain point. But what Kelli said kinda got me thinking that it should be just trying to make yourself be happy. If you're like me I love making people laugh when they have bad days. Making them feel better giving them money that I could use some other time I put making people happy before mine. What she says about only caring about making herself happy makes her self centered to me. Caitlyn, age 15

It just seems to amaze me that people can think like that! What she said is wrong! I mean yea it's important to be confident in yourself but as far as what you do it should always be what God wants of you. And in the long run it's more important to make Him happy and pleased with you than your friends, family, and anyone else you can think of. God wants you to follow His plan for your life, not your own. Before I started going to church and really following God I always did what I wanted to do And I was honestly never happy with myself cause it always left room for people to talk bad about me or start rumors. Well now that I've been saved and really turned mylife around, when I follow God I am the happiest person ever in this world. I mean I'm floating on cloud 9, can't stop smiling from ear to ear. If I heard someone say that I would be so upset and disappointed. And I would also make it a point to pray for that person and any others like them. Just to let God touch them and come into their hearts cause its the best thing that can happen to ANYONE! And well Kelli isn't super wise or smart for saying somethin like that. I'm glad she has confidence and all but she is a little to confident w/ herself. Im' not exactly sure where to draw the line about the whole being self absorbed, but you should always put others before yourself and always do what God wants of you, even if you don't want to or you don't understand. He won't put you in harms way and He wont give you too much to handle, EVER! Stephanie

I would have said something to Kelly like all that counts is that you're saved by the Lord and then I would have told her how to become a chistian. Nicole

I think she shouldn't be so self-centered and she should think more highly of others than herself. After all, it's not all about me, It's all about HIM! Matt

I think that if you did whatever made you happy it would hurt the most important person that has walked this earth Jesus Christ and in return yourself. The only way you could do whatever makes you happy is make what God wants make you happy. Josh, age 18

She must think it is all about her and it really isn't. She also doesn't know what she is talking about and I bet the reason is that she is not a Christian. Glenn



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