Embracing Your Joys
Early in my college career I had come to the life-altering realization that my passion and eternal curiosity for the human condition could become a career, and I embraced the idea of becoming a therapist. Then, I quickly realized that I had absolutely no idea what that meant or how to do it! I had no points of reference at that juncture in my life; I had not been to therapy and I didn’t know any therapists. I only knew that I wanted to help change my small corner of the world for the better.
Around the same time, the classic movie “Good Will Hunting” was released. I had found my muse! Robin Williams’ portrayal of the brilliant, aloof, damaged, healed and humble psychologist gave me my inspiration for what type of clinician I deeply wanted to emulate. I share this personal story only to affirm the incredible influence that cinema has had on my life. I remember my childhood home being littered with VHS tapes, dubbed over with movies that I would often watch, repeatedly, and always found some new, beautiful insight or line to quote. Cinema has had a powerful impact on how I view the world, human beings, culture, hope, faith, loss and myself.
Movies move our spirits. We connect with the stories, the victories and defeats, that our favorite characters experience. The tears of characters validate our vulnerability and raw emotion. The revelations of a director, the eloquence of the writers and vision of the cinematographers inspire us. Movies help us connect. They help us channel our anger around injustice. Even horror movies help us tap into our most primal human fears.
Cinema can help make us smile and laugh (insert any scene from 40 Year Old Virgin) and connect with the innocence our inner-child. They can remind us that we are all in this struggle together and the human experience is shared in every corner of the world (go watch Slumdog Millionaire). They can help us remember that hope is sometimes all we can hold on to when all else seems lost (says Andy Dufrene to Red in Shawshank Redemption). They can push us think more deeply about the truth or perception (I can wonder at The Life of Pi). They can teach us history we may have never learned and they can take our imagination and wonder beyond the constraints of earth (I’m still a sucker for Star Wars!). They can help us simply escape for a couple of hours and they can teach us life lessons that mold our views on humanity (I still live by many of The Godfather’s rules).
Embrace the joys that watching a fantastic movie can provide. Enjoy great company and debate the best and worst parts of timeless films. Or, go by yourself to enjoy time just for you. Explore foreign films, seeing life through the eyes and language of other cultures. See an animated film and laugh without a care with every child in the theatre. Part of a healthy life is enjoying what we love. Find what you love.
My joy is movies.
