The Post-Oscar Blahs

My dad and I used to watch the Academy Awards together every year, and when I was younger I would often daydream of becoming a famous actress and someday receiving an Oscar. I'm sure I wasn't the only kid to rehearse her acceptance speech in front of the mirror on more than one occasion (some of you probably still do this!). And I figured if I made sure to thank God, He'd be even more willing to pave my way to the red carpet. I wonder how many award winners mention God in their speeches due to a bargain they made like this, anyway :-)

Inside each one of us is a desire to be recognized and appreciated, hence the fanfare of all these award shows (and our unrealistic daydreams). And, of course, we also secretly long to be the BEST. We're drawn to award shows not just to watch the movie clips or make fun of fashion nightmares (ahem, can you say J. Lo?) -- at some level, all of us can relate to Hollywood's desire to puff itself up and seek approval. As I watched the Oscars last night, I wondered what was on the minds of the nominees in the room. For many, an Oscar represents the pinnacle of their career -- the ultimate prize that validates their identity, and then gathers dust in the display case while they glory about their past triumph. What happens if they don't win, or even if they do win? Can a little gold statue really do all that they hope it will?

Some years back, I went on a trip to Hollwood to do some prayer walking with my church. We partnered with a really cool ministry called The Hollywood Prayer Network, and the president said something that really struck me. She explained that the day after the Oscars is the darkest day in Hollywood. Those who didn't win an award feel like failures, which is an understandable response to disappointment. However, those who did win are struck with the thought of "I finally got an Oscar. Is this all there is?" There's no where to go but down when so much emphasis is placed on some symbol of recognition. After they get home at 5 am from their post-Oscar parties and the hype is all over, what do they do?

This begs the question, what is your dream? And what would you do if it were achieved? It would certainly provide a temporary euphoria, but what then? There's nothing wrong with dreaming big and wanting to achieve goals -- but there is something wrong with the belief that it will be enough. We're setting ourselves up for disappointment if our identity is based on what we do.

At this year's Academy Awards, something really stuck out at me. For the best actor and actress presentations, they invited one of the nominees' colleagues to say something about that person. My favorite was Michelle Pfeiffer's encouraging words to Jeff Bridges, who was later announced as the winner. I just thought, I would rather have the encouraging and uplifting words of a friend any day instead of a silly trophy, even if it is made of gold. There may have only been one winner, but each person was able to leave that theatre with those words on his or her heart. A good reminder of how important it is to build each other up.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the Oscars. What were your impressions of the actors and actresses there?