Glimpses

I tuned in Sunday night for the Oscar ceremonies. Honestly, I saw only a few of the movies nominated (Atonement and Juno) and I don't really keep up on the craft of acting, directing, editing, sound mixing, etc. Yet, there is something that draws me each year to watch a fairly self-obsessed industry congratulate itself. Maybe, it's the pretty dresses or the comedy or the random moments of audacity that occur when you have a room full of performers semi-live (that 5 second delay prevents some of the truly honest moments).

This year might have been my favorite Oscar experience, if only for the glimpses of true humility and delight in some of the winners. Sure there are those people who feel they deserve recognition for their work, the academy owes them a pat on the back and they sit smugly in their seat waiting for their named to be called, their peers to rise in applause and their egos to be stroked once again on their amazing achievement. Then there are those people who sit in their seat with a look of disbelief that they were even invited, that their name is mentioned among others of such stature, that the honor of even having a seat on the floor (near the front) might push them over the edge. Then when you watch their face as their name is called you see that glimpse of shock, awe, fear, excitement, and glee that is so refreshing it makes you smile and want to stand in applause for them.

Two such cases stuck out to me on Sunday night, Marion Cotillard who won for Best Actress and Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova who won for Best Song. From the looks on their faces as their names were announced to the humble and joyful speeches (if you can call them that) they gave in thanks I was impressed and taken back by the humility of three people who took complete pride in what they did and were flabbergasted to have been honored for something they love to do.

Humility is something we search for but rarely find. In a world of self gratification, self absorption, self obsession, and just plain self the humble spirit is squashed by our clamoring to compete and be better than the guy next to us. Now humility isn't self-depreciation or even lack of self worth but it's a special quality that is quietly sufficient in the knowledge that you gave your best and you don't need accolades to confirm that for you. It's a contentment with self that is possessed within you instead of determined by the ebb and flow of opinions of others.

We seek for humility but how often do we celebrate it? We call it a fresh breeze but seem to only notice it in the stifling air of arrogance and pride. Why is humility the exception and not the norm?