I don’t know too many people who don’t enjoy a good movie from time to time, or if you’re like me, all the time. We all have those movies that speak to us. Maybe we relate to something in the story that touches a part or time in our life; maybe we can compare ourselves to the characters, or maybe as we experience the movie, it hits on a deeper level and we learn something from the film, taking it with us in life. As a day dreamer, this may come easier to me than it does others, but here are the five biggest lessons from movies that have stuck with me:

5. “Be mindful of the choices we make today because they form our future.”

The Terminator.   Yes, this science fiction movie taught me to be conscious in my decision making process. This is true in everything; even as simple as what to eat. You eat a greasy burger and fries, you feel thick and run down afterwards. The bigger the decision, the more of an impact it makes on you and the people that surround you.  Now, you probably won’t get attacked by a cyborg from the future depending on the new car or house you buy, but think of decisions you have made and what may have come if you chose differently.  For example, there's the (unconfirmed) story about the person who didn’t want to walk into their boss’ office to talk person to person, so e-mail was created.

4. “You can do the wrong things for the right reasons.”

I picked up this pearl of wisdom from The Fast and the Furious. Now, I'm not out there stealing from tracker trailers and racing exotic cars, nor do I suggest you go out try that. What I mean is there might be those situations where you feel the "right" thing will result in hurting someone, so you refrain in an attempt to spare their feelings. This is a judgment call that should be weighed on a case by case basis.  And, sometimes the wrong thing can seem to be what is right.  I offer the example that you don’t always have to be the one to fix other people’s problems. Let them make their mistakes and figure out their own fix.

 

3. “Just because you think you know someone doesn’t always mean you do.”

The Breakfast Club taught me you shouldn’t label someone by what others say or even what you see. You don't know the path they’re on and you won’t know if you don’t take the time to reach out and let them in. If you take a chance and the time to know someone new, you may learn that they are as similar to you as different. I believe that if they’re willing, anyone can love anyone.

2. “There is absolute love.”

The Crow may be the most romantic movie that you didn’t realize was romantic. This is where you see my dreamer side. The Crow showed me about self-sacrificing love. We should attempt to do the impossible for our loved ones because we want the best for them. Also, the small things you do may not be so small to others.  One of my favorite quotes from the movie is, “The small things used to mean so much to Shelly.  I used to think it was kind of trivial - believe me, nothing is trivial."

1. “Deal with and appreciate all life brings you, good or bad.”

Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship Of The Ring has quite simply taught me what all the other lessons on a whole have shown me.  Regardless of what life brings us, enjoyable good times or roughing it through bad, we need only to decide what to do with the time given to us. Good and bad happenings won’t follow your timeline, but take something with you from everything and learn from it.

 

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