The Tragedy of Heath Ledger
On Tuesday January 22, 2008, actor Heath Ledger was found dead in his SOHO New York apartment.
Ledger, who was a rising star among Hollywood's powerful A-list talent, was only 28 years old.
Currently, there are somewhat conflicting stories on the death of this young man.
Some say that Ledger had a long running problem with substance abuse, while other sources cite that the Australian actor, accidentally overdosed on sleeping pills.
Whatever the findings may be in the near future, this is a tragic story of a wasted talent.
The perception of our modern day culture believes that Hollywood's elite are subjected to a higher overindulgence in substance abuse than those who aren't involved in the culture of Tinseltown.
Those perceptions might have its roots grounded in truth, but the unfortunate reality is that the plague of substance abuse wreaks our society not unlike the 1918 Spanish Flu plague that was responsible for claiming the lives of nearly 100 million people worldwide.
This epidemic whether it is drugs or alcohol or other forms of substance abuse, affects every human being on this planet.
Unfortunately Hollywood's dark glamorization of celebrated artist and performers abusing these substances is having a hypnotic effect on people of all races, ages, cultures, and economic backgrounds.
The sad reality is that Mr.
Ledger was said to be a non-party type of a person.
He was said to be a young man who loved his family and enjoyed the company of friends, but was rather shy.
So how did such a shy and reserved young man, come under the influence of such abuse?He's an actor.
To understand his demise, one needs to know that "acting" is a psychic type of exchange.
Often actors move from one character role to another so rapidly that the mental anguish of their last role continues to live in them.
Heath Ledger was believed to be an exceptionally intuitive individual in the undertaking of his roles, which is the main reason he was known as a great actor.
Furthermore, in interviews, Mr.
Ledger spoke many times about death and his fascination with the other side.
He was just quoted as saying that he feels better about dying because a part of himself will live on with his daughter.
Several of his roles told his story of drugs, darkness and hysteria; from the films The Order and Candy, to his role as the Joker in this summer's latest installment in the Batman sequel, The Dark Knight.
In the latter film, film critics have defined the tormented actor's version of the Joker, as the scariest interpretation of all time.
As the world witnesses Heath Ledger and other young souls publicly battle with their demons, there isn't any type of counseling that these actors undergo before or after the undertaking of their project.
Many go along with the flow of moving from one project to the next, unsuspected of any warning signs.
Most of these individuals have problems with insomnia, paranoia, and other emotional issues that often go unresolved.
Searching for modalities and treatments to help them cope with the external manifestations of very real internal pain, many seek to self-medicate with substances made readily available to them in environment - the quick remedy that will put a bandage of the problem- drugs.
It doesn't matter if the substance was illegal or prescribed.
It is always a matter of abuse.
Accidental death or apparent suicide, Heath Ledger fell into the pattern that has hovered Hollywood's creative for decades.
Unfortunately, Heath Ledger now, in death, joins the rankings of the souls that also danced with the idea of the other side.
May he rest in peace along with society's other greats, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, River Phoenix, Rick James, Dorothy Dandridge, Sigmund Freud, Andy Gibb, Billie Holliday, David Ruffin, and two of the most heartbreaking deaths in Tinseltown, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley.
While it is tragic that the list of people whose lives were claimed by substance abuse are longer than the names given, there is help for those who want to be a part of the solution.
It's time to reeducate our communities and become a part of the healing process.
Artist are not the only community of people who could benefit from learning how to heal from the entrapment of substance abuse resulting from mental, physical, and emotional anguish.
Your community needs healing too.
Stop the cycle.
End the abuse.
Start the healing.
You can make a difference.
Ledger, who was a rising star among Hollywood's powerful A-list talent, was only 28 years old.
Currently, there are somewhat conflicting stories on the death of this young man.
Some say that Ledger had a long running problem with substance abuse, while other sources cite that the Australian actor, accidentally overdosed on sleeping pills.
Whatever the findings may be in the near future, this is a tragic story of a wasted talent.
The perception of our modern day culture believes that Hollywood's elite are subjected to a higher overindulgence in substance abuse than those who aren't involved in the culture of Tinseltown.
Those perceptions might have its roots grounded in truth, but the unfortunate reality is that the plague of substance abuse wreaks our society not unlike the 1918 Spanish Flu plague that was responsible for claiming the lives of nearly 100 million people worldwide.
This epidemic whether it is drugs or alcohol or other forms of substance abuse, affects every human being on this planet.
Unfortunately Hollywood's dark glamorization of celebrated artist and performers abusing these substances is having a hypnotic effect on people of all races, ages, cultures, and economic backgrounds.
The sad reality is that Mr.
Ledger was said to be a non-party type of a person.
He was said to be a young man who loved his family and enjoyed the company of friends, but was rather shy.
So how did such a shy and reserved young man, come under the influence of such abuse?He's an actor.
To understand his demise, one needs to know that "acting" is a psychic type of exchange.
Often actors move from one character role to another so rapidly that the mental anguish of their last role continues to live in them.
Heath Ledger was believed to be an exceptionally intuitive individual in the undertaking of his roles, which is the main reason he was known as a great actor.
Furthermore, in interviews, Mr.
Ledger spoke many times about death and his fascination with the other side.
He was just quoted as saying that he feels better about dying because a part of himself will live on with his daughter.
Several of his roles told his story of drugs, darkness and hysteria; from the films The Order and Candy, to his role as the Joker in this summer's latest installment in the Batman sequel, The Dark Knight.
In the latter film, film critics have defined the tormented actor's version of the Joker, as the scariest interpretation of all time.
As the world witnesses Heath Ledger and other young souls publicly battle with their demons, there isn't any type of counseling that these actors undergo before or after the undertaking of their project.
Many go along with the flow of moving from one project to the next, unsuspected of any warning signs.
Most of these individuals have problems with insomnia, paranoia, and other emotional issues that often go unresolved.
Searching for modalities and treatments to help them cope with the external manifestations of very real internal pain, many seek to self-medicate with substances made readily available to them in environment - the quick remedy that will put a bandage of the problem- drugs.
It doesn't matter if the substance was illegal or prescribed.
It is always a matter of abuse.
Accidental death or apparent suicide, Heath Ledger fell into the pattern that has hovered Hollywood's creative for decades.
Unfortunately, Heath Ledger now, in death, joins the rankings of the souls that also danced with the idea of the other side.
May he rest in peace along with society's other greats, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, River Phoenix, Rick James, Dorothy Dandridge, Sigmund Freud, Andy Gibb, Billie Holliday, David Ruffin, and two of the most heartbreaking deaths in Tinseltown, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley.
While it is tragic that the list of people whose lives were claimed by substance abuse are longer than the names given, there is help for those who want to be a part of the solution.
It's time to reeducate our communities and become a part of the healing process.
Artist are not the only community of people who could benefit from learning how to heal from the entrapment of substance abuse resulting from mental, physical, and emotional anguish.
Your community needs healing too.
Stop the cycle.
End the abuse.
Start the healing.
You can make a difference.
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