Wednesday 7 May 2008

words that resonate

"Hope, at the end of the day connects us all no matter how different we are"

Marketa Irglova

I have found myself gravitating towards quotes and words of wisdom, if you will. Words that encourage, lift up the soul and gently remind me that life is full and great and the good outweighs the ugly but only when we really believe in it, focus on it and keep it front and center. I admit, it takes effort on my part (sometimes more than I prefer) to do this. I'm not a negative person by nature, not even close, but I admit I have to work at keeping the*stinkin' thinkin'* out of my life.

It's not always easy and sometimes it's not as simple to say it's all about choice. I believe it’s more about awareness and inviting the positive into your life. Never assuming it will simply show up. It needs an invitation from each of us.

A few months ago, I recorded the Oscars. I know I did it out of a need for comfort. Allow me to digress here. You see, I use to be a big movie buff, although not anymore, and while I don't follow Hollywood gossip or buy into the whole celebrity craze I do have some very fond memories of gathering with friends and family (and food of course) to watch the big event. A dear friend of mine use to host an annual party at her house for a few years and it was *oh-so-much* fun and I miss those times.

Even though I had the privilege to watch it and fast forward through the commercials it still took me about three sittings to finish it all. I think I enjoyed it in small doses. It is after all, a three hour event and maybe, just maybe, I wanted to make it last longer because I didn’t want the comfort to end.

When the Oscar for best song was awarded I found myself rewinding several times so I could hear exactly what the recipient said. Even better was the fact that she was initially cued off stage via the orchestra but after the commercial they allowed her to come back and deliver her speech. I grabbed my pen and paper because I had to write it down. Her words moved me and I was excited to hear them spoken. I did rewind. And rewind. Again and again to make sure I heard it correctly. I didn’t mind hearing what she said over and over.

I’m just reveling in the fact that a simple acceptance speech delivered such beautiful words. They moved me and so I’m passing them on. There is a lot to be said of hope.

FYI: Turns out I didn’t need that pen and paper after all. They post the winner’s acceptance speeches on their official site. You can read Marketa’s here. I recommend it and it’s not long winded.

21 comments:

Nadine said...

I too used to love to watch the Oscars when I was younger. I don't watch it now. I was a good speech.

Michelle | Bleeding Espresso said...

Interesting. I've kind of "grown out" of the Oscars as well. Have you ever watched "Inside the Actor's Studio?" I think you might enjoy it--look for it on YouTube and you can see Al Pacino, Kevin Spacey, Andy Garcia, Kate Winslett, Matt Damon, Sharon Stone, Angelina Jolie, etc. talk about their craft...quite inspiring even though I have no real interest in acting. Just seeing artists connected with their passion...amazing :)

Louise said...

That was a cool moment! I still enjoy the Oscars and her speech was good....love that message of hope!!
Thanks for sharing :)

all over the map said...

Nadine,
I still enjoy certain elements about the idea of the Oscars but it was definiteley more about the tradition for me. The speech was a nice message.

be,
No I haven't but it sounds like an interesting program. I like to know why other people enjoy what it is they *do*. Hearing people talk about their passion for something is always fascinating tome.

Louise,
The message of hope gets to me every time. Without hope we have nothing.

Anonymous said...

I know what you mean about the "comfort" indulgences. I find myself more drawn to some American events now that I am away than I was when they were right in front of me. Strange huh??

Anonymous said...

Hello! Love your words about the positive, the life-giving, truth about good things...

"Never assuming it will simply show up. It needs an invitation from each of us."

I think you are exactly right, and I've never quite thought of it that way. :)

Thanks, friend! ~Suz.

deedee said...

"Dare to dream and don't give up"...those are words to live by.

Anonymous said...

I've reflected on your post at my blog. Oh, by the way, I host an Oscar Party every year :). And, Marketa's historic speech was the absolute best moment of this year's event! ~Suz.

http://madeforjoy.wordpress.com/2008/05/10/invitation/

Rebecca said...

Good words of wisdom in that speech. I didn't see the Oscars but that was a very unique acceptance speech, instead of the usual "Thanks to a million people" speech.

I like what she said about how most musicians and artists spent a lot of their time struggling. I think that it's true of people who have any sort of dream. We struggle a lot towards that dream...but don't give up! There's always hope.

Thanks for highlighting that speech!

Rebecca
My Adventures in History

Darlene said...

no matter who we are, hope connects us at the end of the day

What a beautiful sentiment

I'm going to say this over and over to mysef today.

Thank you, love
xoxoxo darlene

Anonymous said...

Oh, I know what you mean about inviting positive thinking in. I do think there is something to practicing being happy. I believe that we can (re)wire our brains or our nature to thinking more positively.

And I remember seeing that exact moment from the Oscars. I felt bad for her when the orchestra initially cut her off from saying a word. And then I wanted to cheer the host, John Stewart, for inviting her back out onto the stage so she could say her acceptance speech. I respect him for doing that for her. Have you seen her movie?

Darlene said...

just another quick hello, love
hope that all is well

xoxo
darlene

Anonymous said...

Did you coin that term, stinkin' thinkin'? I love it.

Scribbit said...

Sometimes I'll watch the Oscars if there are movies that I like featured but it's been a couple years since I watched.

Peter @ Enviroman said...

Hi all over the map,

Sorry about the long delay as I was on medical leave.

Thanks for leaving a comment in my blog post Scroll box for New Blogger labels. I have responded to your comment.

Peter Blog*Star
Blogger FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
(Blogger FAQ in progress. More will be added as I have the time)

marta said...

yes, yes, yes. i agree. i was astounded by that sweet speech. i do hope she doesn't get tainted by hollywood. i was happily delighted that they won!

i hope your quest for wise words comes to you, i get a daily email from the Real Simple website with a quote of the day.. which i love and has helped me expand my quote collection.

you make me happy. keep up the cheerfulness and your sweet persona. i can feel it across blogland. xo.

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's what I was searching for, what a material! present here at this webpage, thanks admin of this web site.

my site: auto insurance Carrollton
Feel free to surf my page car insurance

Anonymous said...

Тhis deѕign is ωicked! You most cегtainlу know how to keеρ a reaԁer аmuѕed.
Betωeen уour wit and your vіdеos, I ωaѕ almoѕt moveԁ to
start my оwn blog (well, almoѕt...HaΗa!
) Wonderful job. I rеally lοvеd what you hаԁ to say, and more than
thаt, how you presenteԁ іt. Tοo cool!


my weblоg :: tensunitsforpain.com

Anonymous said...

Ηello Therе. І found your blog the use of msn.
This is a very nеatly ωгіttеn
aгticle. Ӏ will be suгe to bookmark іt and cοme baсk to leaгn extra οf your uѕeful іnformation.
Thank you for the post. I will definіtely comebacκ.


my blog :: euless taxi
Also see my web site > street smart taxi irving tx

Anonymous said...

Hеу there, I thіnκ your sitе mіght bе havіng broωser сompatibility iѕѕuеs.
Whеn ӏ look at your blоg in Opеra,
it loοks fine but when οpening in Inteгnеt Explorer, it has some overlapping.
I just wanted to give yоu a quiсk heaԁѕ up!
Other then thаt, awеsоme blоg!


My web page :: dallas internet marketing agency

Anonymous said...

What a stuff of un-ambіguity аnd pгeservеneѕs
of νaluable κnoω-how on the topic οf unеxpеcted feelings.


Hеre is mу page: TENS units