In my work with celebrities over the last few months, I can't help but to notice our tendency in this society to tear down the "high and mighty." We seem to take great pride in building people up, only to tear them down in scandal, rumor and innuendo. We just can't seem to get enough of celebrity trials and so-called "entertainment shows" that chronicle their marital and financial woes.

Of course, it wouldn't be so bad if this activity were confined to the rich and famous. After all, these people have enough power, influence and resources to be able to withstand a few verbal attacks. In fact, as they tell me, "It goes with the territory."

Yet, our tendency to attack super successful people isn't limited to those who have achieved national and international notoriety. We even attack the successful people in our own communities. For example, the local newspaper will gleefully chronicles the DUI arrest of the mayor's son. Or your neighbor will excitedly tell you about the impending divorce of the Smiths, the couple that owns the nicest house on the block.

Yet, we don't seem to realize that by spreading rumors and gossip about others we cause far greater harm to ourselves. This is for three reasons. For one, when you spread a rumor about someone, that person doesn't know if you are telling the truth. However, that person does know that you are someone who isn't to be trusted. And if people don't trust you, then they obviously won't invite you to be part of their inner circle.

If You Can't Say Something Nice, Shut Up! (Part II)

Second, and even worse, our fascination with the troubles of others focuses our attention away from where it should be aimed - at how to improve our own lives. Just minding your own business is a full- time job. You simply don't have the time to waste speculating about a celebrity's upcoming criminal trial or an actor's alleged drug addiction. You have enough troubles of your own to occupy our time.

And the third reason that tearing down others is harmful is because we are what we think about. We draw things into our lives through our thoughts. If our thoughts are about success, happiness and wealth, we tend to experience those things over time. Likewise, if our thoughts are about failure, misery and illness, we tend to get that too. Now, I don't know about you but I have no interest in drawing anything into my life except the best that life has to offer.

Therefore, the next time you come across a negative celebrity news story on television, turn the channel. Or if you read a salacious headline in the newspaper, turn the page. Or if you're confronted with the latest piece of hot gossip about a co-worker or a neighbor, politely excuse yourself from the conversation. And by all means, don't take part in spreading the gossip. Remember, gossip is a lot like cake frosting. It's impossible to spread without getting some on yourself.