The recent deaths of Whitney Houston and many other celebrities throughout the past few years have shown how much people do not care until someone is gone.

I know plenty of people who had no idea who Houston was until they heard the news of her death. Then, all of a sudden they are her biggest fans. After celebrities die, their sales and publicity go up.

Before Houston’s death, she had not been in the news, and her fan base was the same as ever — people who grew up in the ’80s.

After her death, many people were saddened, and that is understandable; however, do not wait until they are dead to appreciate what they did for the world.

Appreciate them while they are still around. This includes celebrities, friends and family members.

Appreciate celebrities by actually listening, watching or reading what they do.

When one takes time to learn what the celebrity is like outside of her spotlight life, and find out where, how and when she grew up, a new found appreciation for that person may spark.

By taking opportunities to see the celebrity in person if it arises, whether in concert or a book signing, one’s admiration for the particular “icon” may be reinforced.

Also, how about appreciating the people who are actually in one’s everyday life?

There are many opportunities to show the people we care about how much we love and appreciate them for being in our lives.

By showing them compassion and being there for them when life is not treating them well is a great way to demonstrate appreciation for a loved one.

Understanding and accepting the opinions and backgrounds of friends and family members is practically required in any relationship and by loving them for who they are, appreciation — at its finest — is being showcased.

I know family reunions are not the most exciting or even the most comfortable, but attending them and genuinely caring about each family member should definitely be appreciated.

We never know the next time that family member will be present in our lives.

By asking questions about a family member’s background and history, the opportunity is provided to get to know a family member on a level that was unknown before.

Also, try opening up to them in return.

If all of these are done, then, at the very least, when that person dies, a person will be able to say, “I knew them pretty well, and enjoyed the time I got to spend with them.”

The future is a big surprise, so do not wait until the last minute to appreciate everything in life.

Recently, I lost a friend of mine to drug overdose. It was the first time he had ever done anything like that and took too much, but, now, I look back and think I should have gotten to know him better than I did.

He was only one year younger than I am, and he was smart. However, he experimented with the wrong combination of drugs and died.

That has opened my eyes to live life to the fullest and not to let one little thing get in my way. Not only should everyone enjoy friends and family while they are around, but people need to enjoy their lives, as well.

The song “Live Like You Were Dying,” by Tim McGraw talks about how a guy he knows was dying and he finally did all the things that he had always wanted because he thought he was going to die.

A person should not wait until death is on his neck to live his life to the fullest. People should live it up every day.

Being afraid to show feelings for someone or to not take advantage of a great opportunity is not living.

Life is going to throw some pretty nasty curve balls, and, when it does, be ready for them. If it is upsetting, then be upset, but do not let it ruin life or worse — end it.

There is always at least one person who cares enough to listen about what is going on, and sometimes they are the least likely person out there.

Life is too big of a gift to waste it, especially in a country that allows so many freedoms.

By BRYAN JONES

Features Editor

jonesbry@umail.iu.edu