Living My Own Movie

I am 32 years old, and after all these years have had an epiphany. Maybe it’s because 32 isn’t very old, but who knows.

One day, I was talking with a friend about some of the movies that I love. He asked me why I thought I loved those movies so much. I pondered this after our discussion. Why did I love these movies so much? What did they all have in common? Well, for me anyway, my movie choices always involve intense emotion, dramatic story lines, and usually passionate love that may or may not triumph in the end.

I reflected on my life. Up until this point, I have spent my days trying to avoid problems, trouble, and heartbreak. But what was that all about? The same things that make a great movie are the exact things I have spent my entire life trying to avoid! Could it be that maybe I need to look at life as an adventure?

What a concept. How many times have I read a story or watched a movie, all the while secretly yearning to have experiences the folks in them have? What makes life beautiful? Isn’t it the whole story? The beginning all the way through to the end? The Fall and the Salvation? The persecution and the justification? The poverty and the prosperity? The sickness and the healing? The broken heart and the restored love? Would any of these stories or movies have been even a portion as beautiful if they had not had the bad to help appreciate the good?

This may not sound like a very remarkable breakthrough to some, but for me it is a big deal. I intend, with God’s help, to approach life with arms wide open, seeking new and exciting opportunities, to welcome the uncertainties and pain, all because I believe now more than ever that life is a gift, my own personal movie script. I intend to make it a movie that I would love to see!

Movies I Love	Reasons	Conclusion
Dances With Wolves	historical value, plus I really like Rodney A Grant (actor)	This movie reflects my love for Native American culture
Passion of the Christ	it's about my Savior	This movie gives me a reality check every time I see it, restores my own passion for my Jesus
Phantom of the Opera	The Phantom's love for Christine	Oh, to be in love that deeply!
The Mummy The Mummy Returns	Imhotep's love for Anuksunamun, Egyptology	Oh, to be in love that deeply!
Diary of a Mad Black Woman	Redemption, healing of a broken heart	This movie represents my hope for the future.
The Notebook	Noah & Allie's true love	I believe true love survives years of separation if it is what is meant to be.
Serendipity	The idea of "destiny"	I believe true love survives years of separation if it is what is meant to be.
The Godfather I, II, III	Besides the fact that Al Pacino is about as cool as they come, I love mafia movies, I assume for the justice that inevitably occurs	I have a deep sense of justice.
City of Angels	Seth gave up eternity to spend moments with his true love	Oh, to be in love that deeply!
You've Got Mail	The deep friendship that blossomed into true love	I desire to be in love some day with my best friend
What Dreams May Come	Robin Williams goes through hell to save his true love	Oh, to be in love that deeply!
Devil's Advocate	Defeat of evil	I have a deep sense of justice.
End of the Spear	historical value, seeing God's perfect will come to pass	I love indigenous rainforest cultures, and I love seeing God's plan unfold
Hope Floats	Redemption, healing of a broken heart	This movie represents my hope for the future.
Stolen Women, Captured Hearts	Oh man, I guess this movie is just my perfect fantasy ;)	I long for passion in a relationship!
Gone With The Wind	Rhett's love for the intolerable Scarlett	Oh, to be in love that deeply!

If you enjoy reading or movies, I encourage you to make your own list.

You just might be surprised what that list will tell you about yourself. My own list showed me how important it is for my future love to be my best friend, passionate, protective, and deeply in love with me; basically how important a romantic relationship is to me in general. I also discovered how important justice, redemption, and following God's perfect plan are in my life. My list also reflects my love for archaeology and Native American cultures.

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