And the winner is ...

“And the Oscar goes to …” and somewhere within the assembled masses gathered in that huge auditorium an individual rises from their seat, hugs a few individuals and walks down that aisle to the applause of those in the hall. There usually are a few who cheer them on, shouting their approval and admiration. It is truly a surreal experience that is both humbling and exhilarating – based on the shared remembrances of those who have made that walk, heard the applause and received the golden trophy.

Over time there are very few actors, directors, screenplay writers, composures, set and costume designers, and special effects creators that have had this experience. Every year there are thousands upon thousands of individuals who aspire to just be nominated let alone win, but alas, that experience is reserved for very few indeed. For those who do get nominated and/or win they will forever be recognized as an Oscar nominated or Oscar winner … even if their career never brings them to this particular threshold again.

As one of this winners stated, “It is truly a surreal experience to realize that your colleagues think that you are the best of the best.”

What is within our personality that would elevate us to the status of a winner … someone special … the best of the best? What adulations could be thrown our way that would make us feel that we have arrived? What would create in us the sense of a surreal experience that we have been approved, admired and loved beyond all others? And, why is that important to us?

These are self-esteem issues. Too many of us are running around with a false-face on for the world to see. The question is asked, “How is it going?” and our answer is always, “Fine, just fine. Everything is great!” even if all hell is breaking lose in our families. We’ve been taught, or at least I was taught, that we never, ever expose our dirty laundry to the public. We keep our “unmentionables” hidden from plan view. We are crying on in the insides, but smiling on the outside. Even to our closest friends – the very individuals that should have a ready ear and a shoulder to cry on.

My guess is that most of us are craving that kind of recognition from significant individuals that comes to Oscar winners … if we were truly honest with ourselves. Some of us choose to cover it up with addictions to alcohol or harder drugs, pornography, or other such psychological altering devices … all the while slowly dying within for someone to understand the painful journey that we find ourselves on.

“While we were yet sinners …” scripture reads, “Jesus came.” While we were yet far off … while we were yet hurting … while we were yet … Jesus loved us, accepted us, approved us, admired us … through his unbelievable love and actions he was saying that we are the best of the best … and the winner is (insert your name) and know that if you were the only sinner who had ever committed a sin, Jesus still would have come for the likes of you and would have still died upon the cross for your redemptions … if you were the only one. That makes you and each of us very special indeed … with or without a golden Oscar!

Quote for today: A winner says, "I'm good, but not as good as I ought to be"; a loser says, "I'm not as bad as a lot of other people." ~Source Unknown