Last night, at the MTV Movie & TV Awards, actor Chris Pratt — who’s become a public Christian — laid down his nine rules for living in an acceptance speech for winning the Generation Award.
Speaking as an “elder” (he’s 38) here’s the list … some silly, some serious and some reflecting his faith.
- Breathe. If you don’t, you will suffocate.
- You have a soul. Be careful with it.
- Don’t be a turd. If you’re strong, be a protector. If you are smart, be a humble influencer. Strength and intelligence can be weapons, so do not wield them against the weak. That makes you a bully. Be bigger than that.
- When giving a dog medicine, put the medicine in a little piece of hamburger, and they won’t even know they’re eating medicine.
- It doesn’t matter what it is. Earn it. A good deed. Reach out to someone in pain. Be of service. It feels good, and it’s good for your soul.
- God is real. God loves you. God wants the best for you. Believe that; I do.
- (OK, this one has to with the rules for pooping during a party. Check the video below for details. As he said, “Just trust me; it’s science.”)
- Learn to pray. It’s easy, and it’s so good for your soul.
- Nobody is perfect. People will tell you that you are perfect just the way that you are, you are not! You are imperfect. You always will be, but there is a powerful force that designed you that way, and if you are willing to accept that, you will have grace. And grace is a gift. Like the freedom that we enjoy in this country, that grace was paid for with somebody else’s blood. Do not forget that. Don’t take that for granted.
Pratt has had an up-and-down life. Born in Minnesota, he lost his father to multiple sclerosis in 2014. The college dropout was homeless in Hawaii for a while, got discovered at 19 by actress/director Rae Dawn Chong waiting tables at a restaurant in Maui, who cast him in a horror short (apparently that does happen).
His first regular TV gig was in The WB’s acclaimed family drama “Everwood,” where he played the ironically named “Bright” Abbott, who was sweet but not overly bright.
(As a side note, I have a hilarious Pratt anecdote from being on location with “Everwood” at a Catholic high school outside of Salt Lake City, but unfortunately, it’s not for mixed company. Buy me a cup of coffee sometime. Anyway …)
He hit it big as a regular on “Parks and Recreation,” appeared in “Moneyball,” “10 Years,” “Zero Dark Thirty” and “Her.”
On screen, Pratt achieved mega-stardom with “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Jurassic World.” Along the way, he married actress Anna Faris. Their son, Jack, now 5, was born premature with health issues. Raised Lutheran, Pratt reawakened his Christian faith during Jack’s struggles and has become a vocal proponent of it in interviews and on social media.
Unfortunately, Pratt’s marriage to Faris (they eloped and wed in Bali) has fallen apart, but he continues to lean on faith.
In front of what may be considered one of the least friendly audiences for a public profession of faith, Pratt — injecting his customary goofy humor — gave a powerful testimony.
And, his dog and party-pooping advice weren’t bad either.
Image: Gage Skidmore
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