As much of the known world prepares for the 2024 Academy Awards, my thoughts go back to my childhood in North Carolina and my first experience to the world of movies. In my rural town of tractor-pulls, gun racks, and running barefoot through the woods, I was also the kid who loved disappearing into the magical world of cinema.
Movies like, The Wizard of Oz and, Gone with the Wind activated my imagination, while phrases like, “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore,” still float in my brain, bubbling up now and then to make me smile. I didn’t know that I was “trailer trash” until an elementary school teacher said I was. Uncertain of the characteristics of my newly declared identity, I figured I better add fried Spam® sandwiches and chewing tobacco in my bag lunches.
Then I watched the Academy Awards on our family’s small black-and-white television. I was captivated by the pure intention behind that magical world of beautiful people dripping in diamonds and evening attire as their peers floated on clouds of applause, accepting Oscars and thanking everyone. I immediately loved the idea of being part of an artistic community of like-minded people working toward creating something beautiful for others to enjoy.
Later that night I stood on my bed and quietly gave my Oscar acceptance speech while clutching my G.I. Joe doll until I fell asleep on my Bozo-the-Clown sheets. This memory had faded until I moved to Los Angeles back in 1995. Living in Tinsel Town surrounded by movie studios and all aspects of the entertainment industry reactivated my boyhood imagination.
“It’s not so silly to imagine holding an Oscar,” I thought as my phone rang.
It was a dear friend, excited to share the news that she was going to the Academy Awards and was also working at the “Meet the Oscar’s” exhibit. I cheered when she suggested, “Come to the exhibit and take a picture holding the Oscar!”
From pretending as a kid to consciously applying the laws of creative mind, I was reminded of Natalie Goldberg’s words, “Trust in what you love, continue to do it, and it will take you where you need to go.”
…TO “OSCAR GOLD”
A week later I had my picture taken with an Oscar. The statue is surprisingly heavy and has a magical effect on all who handle it. I left joyous and uplifted. How must Vivian Leigh and Hattie McDaniel have felt winning their Oscars.
Driving home from the exhibit, I recalled the teacher calling me trailer trash and remembered my first Academy Award program and clutching my make-believe statuette. Hillary Swank’s Oscar speech floated into my thoughts. “I’m just a girl from a trailer park who had a dream. I never thought this would ever happen.” She had won Best Actress for, Million Dollar Baby.
I often send prayers to that teacher for helping me understand there’s more unlimited potential within me than she could see. Today I’m especially grateful for the contrast of my early years and the foundation they laid for my spiritual growth.
Each day I intend my desired dreams and professional aspirations. Even when I forget to intend or waver in trusting my decisions I always trust the Universe and its unconditional part in co-creating on my behalf.
We’ve all come a long way from someone in our past who could not see our hopes, dreams and desires sparkling bright in our energy fields. Let’s trust they were doing the best they could at the time, while trusting that we can, and will create the lives we want.
Driving past the front gates of my driveway in Los Angeles I smiled; I was home. Holding the Oscar had truly tickled my spirit. Walking through the front door I laughed, tossed my keys on my table and rummaged through the kitchen cabinets for the Spam. I was suddenly craving a sandwich. “There’s no place like home.”