The Death of Amy Winehouse

Club 27 strikes again.

Amy Winehouse has joined the infamous Club 27, which included such rising superstars as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain and Jim Morrison.

Winehouse will forever be enshrined in this club. Unlike the rest of us who live on, she will never grow a day older than the age of 27 and maybe that's the only upside to such a macabre club such as this. Or it could be, that this was the most humane way to go for tormented souls such as these...

I imagine that there are people in this world clinging to life as we speak, and battling for each breath to stay alive. Then there are those of us, and I will include Amy Winehouse in this picture, that have life and choose to throw it away. Some people have been given every possible advantage in life, and yet they have a perception so unique and tortured, that they can only see the dark side and victimatic way out.

I simply find this fascinating.

I am not here to bash Amy Winehouse, but to illustrate a point. I'm not here to lay blame or seek why this happened. I'm quite sure that every available resource was afforded to Amy to rid her of her demons, but if the individual doesn't want the help, none can be offered. There was obviously a perception issue, and Amy Winehouse's case won its plea.

So I will leave you with a fantastic example of the perception of this point...

There were a set of twin boys who grew up in a very abusive household. Their father was an alcoholic, and regularly beat them and his wife. He lost countless jobs and houses, which forced the family to move constantly throughout their lives, uprooting them along the way. Their father was a womanizer who lied, cheated and did whatever he could to survive before finally dying when the twins were in their early 20's.

Fast-forward to the end of the twins lives, and they are being interviewed by a behavioural psychologist. One twin is extremely successful in business and has a balanced family life with his wife and 2 children. He is a regular contributor to his community, and volunteers in society with his many charities. His wife and children love him, and view him as the model father. His, is a life of meaning and contribution.

Contrarily, his twin brother has had many failed marriages and relationships, he has served time in prison, has never been able to hold down a job, and he is an alcoholic without any life balance and has no meaningful relationships in his life.

Throughout their hours of interviews with the psychologist, there was an underlying question that was asked which paved the way for the reason behind the story of why they are the way they are. See, it occurred to the psychologist to ask each twin, "Why are you the way you are?"

And the answer was stunning... In fact, each twin answered it with the same reply which was remarkable seeing that their lives were polar opposites. Their reply when asked, "Why are you the way you are?" was...

"Just look at my father"

I find it simply amazing how one's perception can become one's destiny...