How to Navigate Life’s Highs and Lows
A story, quote and lesson about the awards given to the worst movies
From best to worst (and back again)
Winning an Academy Award is widely regarded as one of the pinnacles of achievement in Hollywood. But what about winning a Golden Raspberry Award (Razzie), the infamous prize for the worst performances in film? For some actors, these two extremes are not as far apart as they seem.
Take Joaquin Phoenix, for example. In 2020, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Joker. Just a few years later, he found himself nominated for a Razzie for the sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux.
Or consider Ben Affleck, who has both an Oscar for Good Will Hunting and Argo and multiple Razzies for films like Gigli and Batman v Superman. Even Hollywood legends like Kevin Costner and Halle Berry have seen their careers swing from Oscar glory to Razzie embarrassment.
The message? No one is immune to the highs and lows of their craft. Success and failure aren’t permanent destinations; they’re just different points along the journey.
The entertainment industry thrives on these dramatic turns. One year, you’re a celebrated genius; the next, you're the punchline of an industry-wide joke. But what separates those who fade away from those who rise again is the ability to weather the storms and seize opportunities when they come.
“You're riding high in April, shot down in May
But I know I'm gonna change that tune
When I'm back on top, back on top in June”
- From the lyrics of That’s Life by Frank Sinatra.
Life works the same way. Careers, relationships, and personal growth all come in waves. Sometimes you’re riding high, recognized for your efforts, and everything seems to fall into place. Other times, you’re in a slump, questioning your choices and waiting for your next break. But the people who sustain success aren’t necessarily the ones who never fall—they’re the ones who learn how to get back up.
The Razzies may be a joke, but the lesson they teach is serious: setbacks don’t define you, but how you respond to them does. Some actors let the criticism derail them; others use it as motivation to improve. The same applies to life.
There will be times when things don’t go your way. You might miss an opportunity, fail at something important, or find yourself facing unexpected challenges. But if you recognize that life moves in waves, you can prepare for the downturns and make the most of the upswings.
The best actors—and the most resilient people—know that no award, whether good or bad, is the final word on their story. There’s always another role, another project, another opportunity to turn things around.
So now I ask you:
Where in your life can you embrace the waves, making the most of the highs and preparing for the lows?
Wow. What a great way of relating the life in Hollywood to regular persons life. It reminded me of a scene at Rocky where he talked to his son saying "It does not matter how many times you fall, what matter is how many times you stand up and hit back" great message in your story and it inspires since human nature is to really feel bad when negative things happen. Thanks for this important message
Great advice 👏🏻