Do we substitute happiness with food, pleasure, power, or technology? Let’s change our lives. Stop using “artificial ingredients”. Time to live in Wisdom! Here are 10 movie quotes to start with.
1. Know the difference between the pursuit of happiness and the happiness of pursuit
In the recently released 2014 movie “Hector and the Search for Happiness”, Hector (played by Simon Pegg) decides to embark on a journey to find happiness.
Professor Coreman (played by Christopher Plummer) states that “We should concern ourselves not so much with the pursuit of happiness, but with the happiness of pursuit”.
The journey is the key. So let’s think about what our journey has revealed to us?
2. “Pay it Forward”
In the 2000 movie “Pay it Forward”, Eugene Simonet (played by Kevin Spacey) challenges his seventh grade social studies class to complete a very special class project. Help three people accomplish something that they can’t do by themselves. Then ask them to help three people to “Pay it Forward”. It will give your life a new meaning.
3. Focus on “Doing”not “Trying”
In the 1979 Star Wars movie, “The Empire Strikes Back“, Yoda (voice played by Frank Oz) mentors young Luke Skywalker (played by Mark Hamill) on what it takes to be a Jedi Master.
Yoda explains: “No! Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try.“
Think about, what word you use more often, “try” or do”?
4. Ask yourself: Is there a normal life?
In the 1993 movie “Tombstone” Doc Holiday (played by Val Kilmer) comments on Wyatt Earp’s (played by Kurt Russell) desire to live a normal life.
Doc answers: “There’s no normal life….there’s just life.”
Are our expectations of how our life will go limiting our imagination and opportunities?
5. Find out what’s in your box of chocolates
In the 2000 movie “Forest Gump (played by Tom Hanks), Forest comments:
“Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get!”
Be ready to taste them all!
6. Accept that our lives are bound by each other
In the 2012 movie, “Cloud Atlas“, Ursula (the young one played by Laura Vietzin and the old one played by Susan Sarandon) says:
“Our lives are not our own. We are bound to others, Past and Present. And by each crime and every kindness, we build our Future.”
Do you appreciate the impact of the relationships you have had with the people in you life? Or should you reconnect with some of them?
7. Wonder: Is anything free?
In the 2012 remake movie, “True Grit“, Mattie Ross (played by Hailee Steinfeld) says:
“You must pay for everything in this world, one way and another. There is nothing free except the grace of God.”
Coming from a 14 year old girl who is determined to avenge her father’s murder, that is a harsh message to accept. Visit the Film Doctor to better understand this quote. Are we willing to pay the bill for everything we do or don’t do?
8. Realize that the many are served by the few
In the 1982 Star Trek Movie, “The Wrath of Khan” Spock (played by Leonard Nemoy) and Captain Kirk (played by William Shatner) combine to say:
“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one.”
There are real-life heroes living in our midst that do this every day. They humbly serve in our fire, police, emergency, and armed forces units. We should appreciate them or even become one of them.
9. Realize the need of alterations
In the 1985 western film, “Silverado“, Stella (played by Linda Hunt) states from behind her bar:
“The world is what you make of it, friend. If it doesn’t fit, you make alterations”.
She was standing on a ramp that she had installed since she was a bit shorter in height than most bartenders. Have you made any changes lately?
10. Understand that fear is the “mind-killer”
In the SyFy 1984 movie “Dune”, Paul Atreides (played by Kyle MacLachlan) is tested by a member of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood. The Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam (played by Sian Phillips) applies nerve-induced pain. As Paul endures this test, he says to himself:
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear… And when it is gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear is gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
Let’s face our fear the way Paul did!
Featured photo credit: Genea-Musings via 4.bp.blogspot.com
