The Oscars Get Real
by Hannah Keeley
I’m not one for television. In fact, we hardly turn it on during the week, but I have to indulge once a year in this foray into stars, fashion, and movie magic. There is so much I love about this show. I love seeing the dresses on the runway. They are truly stunning–all the glitz and glimmer! And I love hearing all the stars doing their presentations, and the tearful gratitude speeches. In honor of the 2016 Oscars tomorrow, I think back to the year the Oscars got real, in 2014. It wasn’t the fashion, music, or movie clips that I loved. It was the reality!
That was the first year that I saw the stars on the runway…
become real people. Usually you see them on the runway and on the stage. But when Ellen Degeneres hosted it, all of a sudden the stars on the screen transformed. They were snapping pics of themselves and posting them on Twitter, ordering pizza and passing it around, and even cracking jokes at each other. The truth is, people love seeing REAL.
And that got me thinking…are we real enough? When people see you, do they see the real you?
Sometimes, as moms, we think we need to put out an impression of what we think people want to see, instead of who we really are. When people ask how we’re doing, we answer, “Fine, and you?” When people stop by, we tidy up and pretend our living rooms never have any clutter strewn all over the floor.
Now, I’m not saying we need to expose the ugly. I’m just saying that maybe it’s time to get real. Fake is so overrated, and so boring as well. People want to see real–it’s refreshing! I’m sure everyone would admit that the best part of the Oscars wasn’t the canned speeches or the scripted presentations. It was when Ellen was wandering around the audience, surprising people, asking real questions, and interacting with all the attendees.
Mama, the world needs YOU! The real YOU! You have a unique perspective and a specific gifting from God that no one else has. There is a reason you are here, on this earth, at this time, in this place. The world needs what you’ve got. Quit worrying about how you’re going to be perceived, or what people may think. Just be you and let your light shine! No one else can do what you were put here to do. So, me and you…here we go. We’re going to start right here, right now. We’re going to get real. Are you with me?
I would love to know what “real” is to you. Who are you? What is your unique gifting? What do you bring to the party?
– Hannah
Hannah Keeley was once in overwhelmed mom living in a cluttered house, deep in debt, out of shape, and barely hanging on. But one day, after finding herself sobbing uncontrollably into a pile of clean laundry, she realized God has bigger and better plans for her (just like He does for each one of His children). Beginning that day, she began making changes in her life that took her from overwhelmed to overjoyed. Today, she’s helping moms do the same. Hannah, her husband, Blair, and their seven children live in Richmond, Virginia, and are having the time of their lives!
Check out Hannah’s Website Here!
