Now, let’s be clear. It is not like anyone in Hollywood really cares if I spend my Sunday evening in February watching the various celebrities win or not win Academy Awards. I realize that it will not impact anyone except me. I am not so self-centered that I believe otherwise.

What I am doing, however, is making another choice to protect my heart and mind. As I continue on my ‘positivity’ journey, I need to be mindful of what sorts of things bring out a negative attitude. We all have different triggers. Mine is being in a group of friends where the focus is on judging people.

You see, I have participated in an annual Oscars-watching party for years. It has always been fun to gather with a bunch of women and watch the pageantry. But as I think about the things we end up saying, thinking and feeling, I start to feel a bit heavy.

“What an awful choice!” “Who wears that?!?!?” “Why is that movie even nominated?!”

Can you feel the judgement? No, there is no way that anyone in Hollywood will ever hear our comments. I highly doubt they care. But the reality is that those comments are unkind and the targets of them are human beings.  And when I happen to like a movie that has been panned by critics (or friends in the same room) I don’t like having to defend my choices.

It is so easy to forget that celebrities are also people. Yes, I know they choose that life of notoriety and being in the public eye. They must deal with the consequences of fame. I get it. But I don’t have to. I can choose to perceive them as humans who have thoughts and feelings. I can give them respect just because.

So I am going to stay home this year. I will miss being with my friends, but I would just be a downer if I went. I will focus, instead, on organizing my new house and spending time with my daughters. And if I do happen to flip the show on at my own house, I will keep my thoughts and comments positive.