Are you in the middle of your annual Spring Cleaning? If so, you may be tackling the project one closet, drawer and box at a time. The general rule of thumb is to get rid of anything that no longer serves a purpose, brings you joy or is taking up much needed real estate in your home. What about the sentimental items? They are hard to part with, aren't they? Since I am a Health Coach and not a professional organizer, I am going to tell you to keep those things that once meant the world to you instead of relegating them to the local landfill. I specifically want you to unearth your old trophies.
The reason that I am thinking about trophies is because I recently heard one of my favorite actresses speaking about hers. I have loved the actress Tatum O'Neal since she starred in the movie Bad News Bears in 1976. She was 13 years old at the time and I was not much younger. Tatum played an extremely feisty and talented Little League pitcher on a team of misfits. I have fond memories of my sisters and I watching this movie together. Tatum O'Neal was already an Oscar winner for the movie Paper Moon which she starred in with her real-life father, actor Ryan O'Neal. Tatum was 10 years old when she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress and to this day, she is still the youngest person to ever win an Academy Award. Until recently, the Oscar trophy was at her father's home. Several years ago, Tatum retrieved her Oscar and now has it proudly on display in her own home. She talked about how much it means to her to have this trophy back and the happy memories she has been able to relive when she sees the gold statuette.
I bet that you have a box somewhere that is filled with old trophies, award ribbons, certificates and other momentos that were once your prized possessions. Like Tatum, you probably have many precious memories that are associated with these items. I was not a student athlete, so my box is not filled with team trophies or MVP ribbons. I received one trophy at my high school awards ceremony. I vividly remember my mother leaning over to me while we sat in the high school auditorium and whispering in my ear, "you are only receiving one award but it is an incredibly special one." That night I was awarded the trophy for Greatest Contribution to Somers High School. I often tell my sons, you will not remember the dates and details of what you are learning in high school, but you will long remember the life lessons that you learned and the way that people made you feel. I was so grateful to have received that little trophy and I still remember how proud I was to have been recognized for the work I had done as a student leader in my school. I decided that I should dust off that trophy that is over 30 years old and put it someplace where I can see it regularly and it can serve as a positive and happy reminder of precious times gone by.
When was the last time you looked at your trophies and awards? You probably received many more than I did and have lots of special stories and memories associated with each one. Find that box in the attic or the basement, get out your polishing cloth and restore those golden reminders of your accomplishments to their former state of glory! While you are at it, get out your old diplomas too. You worked extremely hard to earn those degrees! We so rarely give ourselves a pat on the back for a job well done. Your old awards will be a reminder of the times when you did something wonderful and were publicly praised and recognized for your hard work and efforts. It is time to RECLAIM YOUR OSCAR! I even give you permission to stand in front of the mirror and practice your acceptance speech! Congratulations on your accomplishments!