The Oscars and Parallel Universes… Sunday Musings
We live in and around parallel universes. I was reminded of this when I read A.O. Scott’s commentary on the Oscars in today’s New York Times, “And that, it should not be forgotten, is what the Academy Awards represent: the self-assessment of a self-interested, self-involved professional clique.”
Today, the parallel universe that is Hollyweird is all aflutter. Important things are happening! Starlets are getting high colonics so they can fit into their designer duds and look thin and cooool on the red carpet. Hair is being fluffed and sprayed, toes and fingers are shellacked beyond recognition, publicists are helicoptering around their charges and keeping them from any serious press. And the parties…let’s not forget the parties!
This is their world, and today, nothing else matters. Even the stars who are refusing to go to the Academy Awards “on principle” are in on the game. They also have publicists earnestly explaining why their actor is not going to bless the awards this year. “All of life’s a stage,” said that early denizen of this world, William Shakespeare.
But there are other worlds within feet, yards, blocks, and miles of this all-important (to them) universe.
Today there are speech contests somewhere. Somewhere a woman and man just fell in love at first sight and altered their world forever. Somewhere else, as I write this, a pastor is thumping the pulpit and a church congregation is safely ensconced in their universe. Across from the shopping mall a bowling alley is packed for the weekly tournament. The “boys” have gathered at their favorite pubs across America to watch the game. Any game.
There’s a play opening on Broadway and the people in line are all aflutter. An opera somewhere thrills the hearts of the audience. Someone’s universe was shattered by a car accident last night. Another family added a baby.
When we are wrapped up in what we think is all important, it’s valuable to lift our eyes and remember not everyone agrees with our priorities. Not everyone sees our universe.
I got great advice in college from our School Dean, Bob Emmel. He said, “Do two new things every year.” Years later I added, “and one of them should be scary.” I’ve been doing that for decades now. I learn new things just to get outside my comfort zone.
In that process there was an unexpected bonus: I started to see the people in their parallel universes.
I got into competitive weightlifting. That’s a world of achievement, goal setting, outperforming yourself. I found that many of the testosterone-laden denizens of the gym were pretty fascinating, intelligent, and interesting guys. Who knew?
I did a consulting job for a trucking firm. After work one day, several of the guys insisted that I get up into the cab of the 18 wheeler and find out what it takes to drive one of those monsters. I never took it off the lot, but I gained instant respect for their drivers and those trucks. I can tell you this much – I’ll never pull in front of one unless I have three or six truck-lengths between us and I’m haulin’ faster than they are.
I got my pilot’s license way back in college. Weekends were spent listening to old pilots tell tales about their their years in the air. “There I was, five thousand feet and inverted…” I loved the banter, and still do.
The benefits of getting outside my comfort zone were far more than having new knowledge or a new skill. I opened my mind and my heart to different goals for different people. I dumped a lot of prejudices I didn’t even know I had. I met people where they lived. I saw that even in our different universes, we are alike.
… And for all the differences in where we focus, for all our tendencies to become “self-interested, self-involved professional cliques,” we really do want the same three things: 1) to make it through our days, 2) to better our lives in some way, and 3) to take care of someone we love – even if that someone is us.
Just for a hoot – go wander into a different parallel universe this week. You might enjoy yourself.
Beth
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Beth Terry, CSP is a Professional Speaker, Trainer, and Author (and a pilot, olympic weightlifter, mountain climber, truck driver, cowgirl, international traveler, gunslinger, dancer, stepmom, and who knows what else in 2008!)
© 2008 Beth Terry Seminars, Inc. All international rights reserved.
