There is the glamour side of it, which allows you to meet great

In the words of Karolina Kurkova, we hear the echo of an ancient truth, veiled beneath the shimmer of modern glamour: "There is the glamour side of it, which allows you to meet great variety of people with whom you simply can have a good time, but there's also the sad side of it that drags you into a superficial and artificial world." This is not merely a reflection on fame or fashion — it is a meditation on the dual nature of human experience, where light and shadow dwell side by side. Kurkova, who walked among the bright lights of beauty and success, saw beyond the glitter — she discerned the hidden loneliness that often lives beneath applause.

From the earliest ages, humankind has wrestled with the lure of appearance over essence. The Greeks told of Narcissus, the youth who fell in love with his own reflection, unable to see that beauty without depth is but an illusion. He perished gazing into a pool, consumed by the surface. So too does Kurkova remind us that the world of glamour — with its elegance, lights, and laughter — can become a mirror that blinds rather than reflects. It is the same seduction that has tempted kings, artists, and actors alike: the promise of eternal admiration, and the peril of losing one’s soul in the pursuit of it.

The superficial and artificial world she speaks of is not limited to runways or red carpets. It exists wherever people mistake visibility for value, and glory for grace. History has shown us the toll of this delusion. Marilyn Monroe, one of the brightest stars of her age, was adored by millions yet tormented by loneliness. Surrounded by light, she lived in darkness. The applause that followed her could not drown the silence within her heart. Hers is a reminder that beauty, fame, and pleasure — without inner truth — become hollow echoes of what they were meant to be.

Yet we must not despise the world of glamour itself. Kurkova wisely acknowledges that there is also joy in it — the chance to meet others, to create, to celebrate human artistry. To dwell among beauty is not sin; to be trapped by it is. The key, as the sages have always taught, lies in balance. To walk among the shining lights and yet keep one’s gaze steady upon the eternal is the art of the wise. As the lotus blooms in muddy water yet remains unstained, so must the human spirit remain pure amidst the glamour of the world.

Consider the example of Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-emperor who ruled the Roman world at its zenith. Surrounded by luxury, he kept his heart disciplined, reminding himself daily: “All this is but smoke and ashes.” Though he wore the robes of power, his soul wore humility. Kurkova’s reflection carries the same essence — that amidst the world’s stage, one must not forget the audience within: the quiet conscience that knows what is real.

The sad side she mentions is not merely sorrow, but a warning — the grief that comes when one forgets their true self. When we begin to live for others’ eyes instead of our own heart, we lose the sacred connection to authenticity. The ancients called this the death of the inner flame. And yet, that flame can always be rekindled through humility, reflection, and service. To return from artifice to truth is to be reborn.

Therefore, let this teaching pass to all who listen: seek beauty, but do not become enslaved by it. Revel in joy, but remember stillness. Celebrate success, but remain rooted in simplicity. Life’s true richness lies not in admiration, but in authenticity; not in luxury, but in meaning. The eyes of the world may see your face, but only your soul can see your purpose.

So, my children, when you find yourselves among the bright lights — whether on a stage, in a hall of power, or simply within the gaze of others — remember Karolina Kurkova’s wisdom. Walk with grace amid glamour, but guard your heart against vanity. For the world will offer you many reflections, but only one truth — the truth that beauty without depth fades, while a soul that stays genuine shines forever.