Saturday, December 24, 2011

It's a Wonderful Life

Was there ever a more lovable character than George Bailey?

Every year the one movie that I cannot do without around Christmas is Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life".  I think it's one of the greatest stories ever told.  A big dreamer in a small town who want's nothing more than to "See the world!", George Bailey is constantly pulled away from his dreams because his sense of duty outweighs his flight of fancy.  His life turns out nothing like the way he had hoped or planned, and at one point - his situation becomes so desperate he contemplates suicide.

That's when the magic happens.

George Bailey is given the ultimate gift of all.

He's given the chance to see what the world would be like had he not been in it.  He gets to see first hand the real and true impact of his life, a life that he had no idea had touched and changed the lives of so many.  Through this gift, he learns that despite not achieving his dreams - his life truly is wonderful..."Strange isn't it.  Each man's life touches so many other lives.  When he isn't around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"

Maybe some of you can relate to George Bailey.  Perhaps you have sacrificed your dreams and aspirations for some reason or another.  Maybe you feel disappointed that you're life hasn't turned out the way you had hoped.  Maybe you're just feeling blue this holiday season.  To you I would say: watch this movie.

Unfortunately for us who don't live in movie-land, we will never be able to see what the world would be like had we not been born.  We'll never really see just how many lives we have touched, affected or changed.  But it's important to think about, and to appreciate and trust that our lives - whether or not we've climbed the mountains or sailed the seas we had hoped - are wonderful.

Whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the Universe is unfolding as it should. - Max Ehrmann

Life is about human connection, sharing, loving and helping one another out.  It's not just a sum of the dreams you've ticked off of your bucket list.  I've met plenty of cruisers and world travelers who are miserable, sad and alone.  Life is about the gift of friendship, community and the sense of belonging to something bigger than yourself.   In the end, what George truly learns is that "No man is a failure who has friends".  And that is the truth.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Love,
Brittany & Scott

2 comments:

Kyra and Rick said...

A lovely post, that's our favourite Christmas movie as well! All the best to you and yours, the SV Nyon crew

Wil said...

Some people really get what is important in life! Thank you for all the great stories that you share with us, I love the way you see thru the layers and find the soul. SVFull Monty

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