Last night I watched the movie “Into the Wild.” I know it seems like a strange movie to not be able to get out of your head on Valentine’s Day, still I can’t seem to shake it. My family all thought that it was a terrible movie because somehow they were expecting a different type of happy ending. Everyone walked away saying things like “what a horrible movie” and “I’ll never watch that again.” Except for me, I spent all night and a good part of the day wondering why I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Not exactly the romantic movie that one should have on their mind on this the day of love. Or was it ?
The only thing anyone else saw was a movie about a guy with a dream, who made his dream come true, at the cost of his life. I saw so much more than just the end. I’ve been talking a lot lately about the hero’s journey that we all take in life and this was Christopher McCandles hero’s journey. His journey didn’t end with the typical happily ever after that we are accustomed to. I suspect that is why it turned everyone else off so much. Ralph Waldo Emerson told us that “Life is a journey, not a destination.” It’s amazing how most of us forget that. We take our relationships for granted and sometimes like Christopher believe that life’s about our adventures and not the people in them. Although if you think about the stories that we love so much what would Cinderella have been with out Prince Charming ? Romeo without Juliet ?
In the movie Christopher believed that happiness could only be found by getting away from everyone and having an amazing adventure all alone in the wilds of Alaska. Up until the last of his days he took for granted all of the people he met, and hearts he touched along the way. When trapped in the wilderness and knowing he was going to die alone Chris finally understood that it wasn’t solitude but connection that he was searching for. Not long before he died, Chris penned the words “happiness is only real when it's shared.”
I guess that’s why it seems to me like a proper movie to think about on Valentine’s Day. Today everywhere you look are modern day signs of love. Flowers, cards, candy, and expensive jewelry. Everyone running around trying to find the perfect gift and take their special someone out for a romantic dinner at just the right restaurant. People everywhere trying to make sure that someone knows that they love them. I find myself wondering today what the world would be like if people worked as hard at loving everyday as they do on Valentine’s Day ? My wish this day is for everyone to take to heart the lesson that Chris learned during his travels. Work harder at paying attention to the journey and those who’s lives we touch and those that touch ours. I wish for the world to remember that it is in sharing our lives with others that we find real happiness. None of us ever know when our journey, or the journey of those we love will end. Lets make everyday like Valentine’s Day. Treat everyone, everyday with love and kindness. Tell those you love, you love them often. Give flowers and cards for no reason at all. Most importantly, open your heart to the love of those around you and life will never be the same. Life is precious, live it. Love is fragile, handle it with care. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Recent Comments