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Monday Movie Meme – Give Me a G for… #atozchallenge
Monday, April 8, 2013 at 8:00PM ;){kind=icon}
My Art History teacher once said “Life sucks and then you die – but you get to pay some taxes in between.” It is a statement that always makes me laugh because I’ve replayed that classroom lesson back in my head quite a few times since then.
Anyone who has gone through the brunt of some of life’s troubles such as disaster, illness and related woes would agree that, yes, it does suck.
Let’s not forget, however, the one truism that we can always count on in life whether we want to or not – it could always suck more!
You do not have to look far to realize that on any given day, you’re in a much better position than someone else, somewhere, who would kill to walk a mile – maybe even literally -- in your shoes. While everybody’s situation is different, there are usually options for finding an upside in the circumstances, thoughts, people or feelings that often bring you down.
It’s a shame that most of the time, it takes a funeral or the learning of someone else’s plight for us to realize that in some ways, we pretty much have it made – at least compared to worse-case scenarios. Still, looking in from the outside gives us a glimpse of what it’s like to really live a life that sucks. Then maybe we would start to appreciate the small edge that we do have, even if it’s a small one.
Do you want to trade your friends or family for a new set because they aren’t treating you well or showing you respect? Do you think they’re annoying? Mean? Embarrassing? Careless? Well, at least they’re not like throwing televisions or other large electronics at you like Precious’ mother is doing in Lee Daniels’ drama, “Precious” starring Monique, Paula Patton, Gabourey Sidibe and Lenny Kravitz. You’re also lucky that they didn’t lock you up in a cage and act like you didn’t exist, the way King Louis XIV’s twin brother does in the action adventure film “Man in the Iron Mask” starring Leonardo DiCaprio. You also might want to keep in mind that the people in your life aren’t deliberately trying to get you killed like Faramir’s father, Lord Denethor, is in “Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.”
Do you hate your job and or co-workers? Do the administrators or teaching staff at your school stressing you out? At least they aren’t black mailing you, following you and putting wiretaps on your every move the way a Harvard Law school grad’s employer and colleagues are doing in the thriller “The Firm” starring Tom Cruise and Gene Hackman. By now, you get the idea that whatever misfortunes have come your way, they can be better tackled – or at least managed well -- with a more frequent practice of one thing: Gratitude.
Share on your blog or in the comments section, ONE movie you can think of that features people showing gratitude. Be sure to link back to this post and visit the blogs of fellow Monday Movie Meme or A to Z Challenge participants. Here is my selection for this week’s Gratitude theme.
Gran Torino
Walt’s neighbors leave flowers and baskets of food on his front porch after he chases away a local gang who attacked their son.
What movie can YOU think of that features a form of gratitude from one person to another?
Can YOU describe one of the most poignant “it could always suck more” moments that you ever had?
Reader Comments (9)
Great option for G! It's so important to have gratitude, whether rich or poor, if you want to have a happy life. Good movie choice too! :)
From A to Z, Kristen's blog: kristenhead.blogspot.com
I think you caught me on a bad day...having quite the pity party about our finances as of late with the medical stuff. But i guess on the gratitude scale, I don't have cancer. Can't really think of a movie right now...though life really sucked for Julianne Moore in that movie with Dennis Quaid. Something about heaven only so not...
Tina @ Life is Good
Co-host, April 2013 A-Z Challenge Blog
@TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge
All I can think of is "Pay It Forward.' Must be a Monday
"There, but for the grace of God, go I." Actually, I think about that often, and am always grateful for my place in life and the people who care about me. I feel lucky.
As for showing gratitude in the movies, I'll have to go with Jet Li's "Fearless", where he fights for the honor of China and acts and a rallying point against western manipulation of the country. Very cool movie.
This is a great post. I don't know of a movie with a very specific theme of gratitude, but I do remember it being played out in "The Sound of Music," after Captain von Trapp realizes the gift of what Maria is doing for his children and for him--bringing music, love, and life back into their home and their lives after the death of his wife. Eventually he realizes the value of that and is obviously grateful.
My hubby and I have been watching a lot of the TV shows "24" and "Criminal Minds" lately, and although I know those are fictional, it's still a reminder of how much worse my life could be. Honestly, I have an amazing life. I'm so blessed. God is so, so good.
Jaimie
Living in the Light
A to Z Ambassador
I was going to say "Pay it Forward" as an obvious movie, but I think a few others that I thought had gratitude in them as well as ups and down of life were 'Beaches' and 'Fried Green Tomatoes'--I love those movies--Especially Bette Midler singing 'Wind Beneath my Wings'!
Kids Math Teacher
A movie featuring a form of gratitdue.... Ladyhawke, where Mouse takes Navarre's hawk to a priest so he can save her after she's been shot by an arrow. When Navarre arrives, he tells Mouse, "Thank you, for this," and lets him out of his obligation to lead him into Aquila. (Mouse still goes with him and helps him...) but that was the moment that popped into my head just now.
Stopping by from A-Z!
Life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death. I am grateful for a lot and count my blessings every day!
Nice post- have a happy Tuesday!
How about Les Mis? Very current and lots of gratitude is shown throughout the movie, some of which I probably missed due to my sobbing which started early on and I just couldn't control. Many of the characters showed gratitude, even and especially in death.
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Julie Jordan Scott
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