The Blind Side

I've been waiting for months for The Blind Side to finally open in theaters. I saw the trailer during previews while at a different movie this past summer and stopped shoving popcorn in my mouth for the 2 minutes 30 seconds of it and fell into a trance.

For those not familiar, The Blind Side is the film of a true story about Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle, Michael Oher. The film is from the book of the same name and chronicles his rise from a homeless neglected child of the projects in Memphis to a highly sought after draft pick for the NFL all with the help and love of an unlikely source: the well to do, white, Christian family, the Tuohys.

Finally last night I went to see it both excited and nervous. I had set such high expectations for the film, I was worried it may not measure up. Much to my [pleasant] surprise, it far exceeded my expectations. Fun fact: I've never cried at a movie in my entire life. That's not to say that I'm not often touched or moved by them, I'm just not really crier. However last night, the tears came.

Most people cry at movies when someone gets sick, dies, or is defeated in someway. Typically they are tears of sorrow or heartbreak. My tears, as well as the rest of the audience's tears, were tears of joy, inspiration, and happiness. The Blind Side is a movie that promotes boundless love and compassion. It is a film about the human spirit. It's refreshingly realistic. Never did I feel like things were embellished, melodramatic, or glamorized for Hollywood. This story and these characters are real; no embellishment needed. I find that true stories are the ones that are most inspirational because they are rooted in reality. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things or going through an extraordinary transformation. These are the stories we need.

It's well known that I'm a cinemaphile with varied taste. I love movies and see them often. This is simply the best movie I've seen in years, very possibly the past decade, and perhaps, in my entire life. It's fabulous. I don't know what else I can say besides, it's a wonderful story that's been beautifully captured in film and is endlessly entertaining and moving. Please see it.

love

I like peeps

Oh ye handful of readers, I have failed you once again. School has been owning me lately and my time and energy seem to simply evaporate. Regardless, here I am to repent and share.

Lately I've had a wonderful new ....we'll call it "revolution of the heart". Most would say that I've always been a pretty affable/friendly/approachable person that typically wins over people with my sense of humor. However I've had a long internal struggle with feeling somewhat intolerant of certain kinds of people & personalities. I typically run into this trouble with two kinds of people.

A)I struggle with allowing myself to love people who are difficult to love and show kindness too. I think my trouble was rooted in feeling that if I were to show them some kind of benevolence that it would be rewarding people for things I despise about them. Perhaps it is the lack of love and mercy they are shown that is to be blamed for any obnoxious or hateful behavior.

B) I also struggle showing love to people who are in situations that make me uncomfortable or unbelievably sad. People with disabilities or special needs, people who are sick, homeless/poor, or some other unfortunate circumstance. I have several feelings when I come into any kind of contact with these people. I feel overwhelmed by their struggle and it makes my heart start to bleed so much that I try to shut off my caring completely to shield myself from becoming consumed with grief and sadness. Many of these people have troubles that seem unsolvable...like a lost cause. But of course that doesn't mean that they are a lost cause. I think I also feel guilty to a certain extent for having such a blessed life, coming from a well-educated, stable, affluent family that is supportive and loving. I have no disabilities or special needs. I'm healthy and fully capable of nearly anything. The opportunities that have been laid before me in this life are abundant. I look at these people who seem to have mountains too great to climb, and live a life of unmet needs and despair. nothing but tough breaks. Any human has to wonder where the justice and love is in the world. How can there be such a great divide between the privileged and the destitute? The more painful question is how can I deny or withhold love or compassion from these people? Love is something that every human is given in infinite supply. To be greedy with love is perhaps the worst sin/greatest tragedy of all. There is no greater disservice to the human race.

However, I've found in the past few months that my efforts to love more generously and be more understanding have opened my heart so much that it's remarkable. I feel more whole and more connected to humankind. Honesty is freeing. Love is fulfilling. Luckily, neither of them cost a penny.

love