Hollywood's Biggest Night...the Oscars...and Many Viewers Confronted With Unfulfilled Dreams

Hello everyone,

Well, tonight is Hollywood's biggest night....the Oscars. Several celebrities will spend their day primping, preparing, and of course dressing for a night of glitz, glamour, and celebration. Some people will wake up wondering...will Kate Winslet win the gold or two golds....and will Angelina Jolie wear Oscar de la Renta or Versace?

This night will also bring millions of viewers worldwide to witness Hollywood's mirage moment of 2008 film accomplishments. Many of these viewers will watch with eager anticipation to see if their favorite actors and films will take the gold. Others viewers will watch with a deep sense of yearning, or even disappointment, as the award shows act as a reminder that they have not yet fulfilled a deep seated dream or desire they hold within their soul.

Once again, I can relate....can you? While you watch the Oscars, do you find yourself wishing it were you on the red carpet being interviewed by Entertainment Tonight's Rep regarding your academy nomination? Do you daydream that you are nominated for your work in front of the camera (e.g. actor), or perhaps behind the camera (e.g. directing, screenplay, art direction)?

Regardless of what kind of viewer you are, I want to point out a priceless fact that will help you to keep this night in a realistic, and more enjoyable perspective. I also want to challenge those of you who feel a sense of yearning, to entertain (no pun intended) a simple course of action that just may put you smack dab in the middle of the red carpet some day.

The priceless fact that I love to recall during moments of heightened popularity, is a simple scientific one; WE ARE 99.90% THE SAME. Yep, that is right folks. Scientists will confirm that as human beings, we are actually 99.90% the same. It is the .01% that distinguishes us from one another. Oh, how our eyes deceive us of this simple yet profound fact. So, when you are watching Brad Pitt or Penelope Cruz walk down the red carpet, just take a quick moment (or a long one) and smile knowing that in reality, you share 99.9% the same make-up as they do. Even if your eyes tell you that you are from two different worlds.

The challenge that I want to present to many of you who feel a sense of yearning, is a simple one. Take a turtle step or two, tonight if possible while watching the Oscars, and list those awards that sound interesting to you. Whether that be best actor, director, or editing. Then take just a little time, in the next week or two, and research each of those career paths. If you are feeling really inspired, sign up for a nearby acting workshop or an Intro to Film course. Just taking simple steps can start to pave a road for you that just might lead you to a red carpet. For others it may confirm that a future in the entertainment industry is not their true path after all, which will then quite the yearning voice that haunts you every time you are faced with an award show that leaves you feeling a sense of "what if".

So, for those of you who will be tuning in to the Oscars tonight....enjoy the show from these new perspectives, and who knows....you just might be the one on the big screen some day being watched by millions of viewers, accepting a golden award, and forgetting to thank those you meant too.

Cyber hugs,

Shannon

Valentine’s Day and Being Your Own Greatest Valentine. *

Well, low and behold this weekend included a special day in which love is widely recognized and celebrated, with a plethora of poetic greeting cards, beautiful red and pink flowers, and heart-shaped boxes filled with delectable chocolates. Some people call this a “Hallmark Holiday”, however there is quite a history to this day we call Valentine’s Day.

For example, there were several Saints named Valentine, who were martyrs to many but none of which associated the day with love or romance. It is documented that during the middle ages, it became associated with romance during a time of courtly love and the works of Geoffrey Chaucer, among others.

Another example is the well known Greek mythological god, Cupid. The legend of Cupid is rather fascinating with a version that deems cupid as the son of Venus (the goddess of love) and Mars (the god of war). In any case, clearly Valentine’s Day for many is much more then a mere Hallmark Holiday. It is a day filled with rich past history.

Traditionally, in the west anyway, Valentine’s Day is celebrated and shared by couples and lovers in the forms of romantic dinners and gift exchanges. Many restaurants will be packing in tables mostly in even increments (i.e. couples), with a majority of the requests for “two”. While this can be an enjoyable and satisfying custom, I love to point out that you are your own best Valentine!

When we look forward too, or even expect, someone else to shower us with Valentine greetings, gifts, and plans, we are also setting ourselves up for disappointment, and dare I say a little heartache….*

I would like recommend that every Valentine’s Day, you give yourself a special Valentine gift. Whether that be in the form of sending yourself a Valentine greeting card or buying a yummy box of chocolates wedged in a heart-shaped box. That way, you will most certainly enjoy this special day filled with love. Regardless if you are in a relationship or not, regardless of whether someone else celebrates it with you….*

Self-love is one of the most beautiful gifts we can give to ourselves, and one in which can be expressed and celebrated on Valentine’s Day.

* Please note, these are highlights from an entire article in Higher-Self Living Paychecks. For more information, please visit our website at www.higherselflifecoaching.com.

The Super Bowl, Friends, and the Power of Eye Contact

This weekend was Super Bowl XLIII. Now, if you’re like me, you either missed school the day they taught Roman numerals or just can’t recall what the heck XLIII represents. So let me translate (and thank you Google)…..this weekend was Super Bowl 43.

Many people gather during the Super Bowl to visit and watch one of the most important night’s in football. I was fortunate enough to be invited to a friend’s home to visit, as well as root for my favorite underdog team.

Some of my friends I had not seen in years, and it was great to reconnect and catch up. I realized that during most of the game, many of us were not even paying much attention to the game and in fact were enjoying talking and sharing old time stories that still gave us a good laugh as if they happened yesterday.

One thing that I made a point to do was to make eye contact with nearly every friend, especially when they were talking to me. I looked into their eyes and really listened to what they were saying and sharing with me. As a result, I felt a special quality about our conversations and felt more of a connection then in the past. I also realized how similar we all really are in so many ways. We share similar ups and downs, and joys and challenges. Time had flown by and I was surprised when the clocks had reached an hour in which we had to logically leave. This was a pleasurable night that I would not forget….*

This gathering reminded me of how important something simple as having eye contact with another person you are conversing with really is. The quality of the conversation is heightened and a special connection is made. Common ground is found and a kinship is realized.…*

So the next time you are with family or friends, try to be aware of your eye contact when you are engaged with them. A simple conversation may just turn into a memorable connection.

* Please note, these are highlights from an entire article in Higher-Self Living Paychecks. For more information, please visit our website at www.higherselflifecoaching.com.