I was the only person on the planet that hadn’t drunk the kool-aid when it came to Orpah (no, not a typo, that’s her real name). Seems not.

I’ve been mulling over writing about my lack of positive feelings towards Orpah and a NYT article this morning pushed me further in that direction, especially with “But nobody can copy her unique gift for mixing philanthropy and self-interest.” Then a friend on Facebook made a comment that expressed relief that the great farewell was finally over. (I don’t have permission to quote or name the person, so I won’t.)

One of her tactics that always annoyed me, I mean really annoyed me to the point that I yelled at the tv, was that she always interrupted the person she was interviewing and turned what they were saying into a story about her. It was always about HER. Plus I really get peeved at people who interrupt, that little habit can so come back to bite you. (Are you listening, dear husband?)

Did Orpah give lots of money away to do good things? Yes, and if you missed any of these acts of generosity, have no fear because she will tell you about it, again and again and again!

I was brought up with the motto “Do good and forget about it”. There is some failure in me that makes self-aggrandizement in others irksome to the nth degree. People with the extra-long arms that they developed patting themselves on the back – irk me. The “you don’t believe I’m wonderful, just ask me” people irk me. There is nothing wrong with saying you’re good at this or that or whatever but I’m not talking about “Yeah, I make a pretty good chocolate cake”, I’m talking about “Oh, that’s nice but look what I can do”. The “I don’t want to brag but…”

Back to Miss Orpah – the other thing that irked me is her guru-ish attitude. I am so not into “The Secret” (what a load of bull shit THAT is); or the “be all that you can be” – wait maybe that’s the Army or “You are where you are supposed to be” – Is that not the most moronic statement ever? I envision people watching this who are living less than optimal lives, folks who are scrambling just to get a loaf of bread on the table, wondering what the hell she is talking about.

But then I have great antipathy towards the self-help movement; the pop psychology patter, all of this ooga-booga dancing around the oak trees, navel gazing, chakra chanting bush-wa. Do I support psychology, absolutely – a great therapist saved my life. Do I have “spiritual” beliefs – yes, I do. Are they for public consumption and discussion – no, they’re not. Do I think some people are better than others – No, I do not. I don’t give a rat’s ass what your title is or how big your bank account or even what your skills are – ain’t no one on this planet any more important, or deserving or better than any other person.

We happen to watch the 5 pm local news on the same station as Orpah’s show so we caught the last 2 minutes of the Orpah soap opera – and there she was standing on an elevated platform, hands and eyes raised to the ceiling and all I thought was “What is she waiting for – the ascension?”

This sounds so very petty, doesn’t it? And I do chastise myself for these feelings – they are not kind. But they are also naive. We all like to have our good deeds acknowledged. Are some good deeds more deserving of praise than others? No, you know what – No.

“I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.”         William Penn