Every year I watch the classic Christmas movie, It’s A Wonderful Life, and this year I was particularly struck by the scene close to the end of the movie, where the protagonist George, contemplates suicide. He is in a financial pickle and he can’t see any way out. He prays to God to show him a way and God sends an angel down to set George straight, to show him that his life is worth living. As George stands on the bridge agonizing about jumping into the river and ending it all, he hears a cry for help coming from the murky waters. George jumps into the water and saves the drowning man , who is really his guardian angel in disguie.
As they are warming themselves and chatting, George mentions that he wished he was never born. The angel decides to show George what the world would be like if George was not alive to make his contribution to life. They go into the town where George lives, but it is in an alternate reality to the one that George knows. Everywhere George goes that was familiar to him in his own reality, he encounters the antithesis in this alternate reality. Because George is a kind and compassionate businessman, through his help, the community prospered. George only finds hostility, harshness and economic depression in this alternate reality. He could not understand how this could be, and the angel reminds him that in this reality he does not exist; he is not there to make a difference in the community. The angel continues to show him people he knows and how different their lives turned out because the good deeds he did to help those people, does not happen in this alternate reality.
George saw how important his being alive is, that his life matters to the rest of his community and his family. George turns around his desire to end his life and goes rushing home to celebrate Christmas with his family. When his friends heard about his predicament, everyone chipped in to help him and his business was saved.
This scene from the movie reminds me of the quote from Socrates: An unexamined life is not worth living. If we do not contemplate and become unaware of the effect our life has on others, we may not honor and value ourselves, we may belittle who we are, and we will not be able to see how being alive is a gift to ourselves and all of humanity. Looking at our own lives, doing some journaling around this subject, can be a good exercise to heal depression, apathy and low self-esteem.
On the other hand many of us feel that we have something important to contribute to mankind but feel that we are not doing anything with our lives. We may think that we have to become famous, that only people who write books, and accomplish great things, have an effect on the world. We may think that we must find our purpose, our mission in the world before we can give value to our lives. On the contrary, most of us are called to have an effect amongst a small circle of friends or in raising our own families. Many people live quiet anonymous lives, may not be active in their communities but by the grace of their peaceful presence, have a deep effect on those around them. Through their prayers and intention they hold the energy of peace for the rest of the world and that is valuable work that anyone can do.
Whoever we are, whatever we do, it matters that we are here to give the gift of our lives. The uniqueness of our input in life adds to the greatness of the whole. Stephen Covey said, “Synergy is the highest activity of life; it creates new untapped alternatives; it values and exploits the mental, emotional, and psychological differences between people.” Each one of is unique in character and wisdom and only we can make the impact on the world with our own stamp. No one else can duplicate how we do whatever we do. Think about it, the world would be a very different place if you were not in it to participate. Every time you offer your kindness, your love, your wisdom, it has a ripple effect in the lives of all those who are in contact with the recipients of your virtues. You touch lives that you are not even aware of; you make this a better world for all of us. Thank God you were born!
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you so much for this amazing post. I think we undervalue ourselves if we don’t measure up to these strange expectations we have about success. I thought for so long that I had to have a great career, money in the bank and lots of friends around. Deep down I think I always knew that true success is measured in the amounts of love and joy we share with others. I know now that by just listening, I am contributing.
Thanks again for the great post, I always look forward to reading this blog!
Hi Ed,
When reading your post I couldn’t help but think of Miruh. Miruh is like a deep pool. Quiet, not yammering for attention, but life giving. She fills the space around her with peace and loving. She is a gift to the world. You too of course, but you are famous for your healing needles – at least in our family – and so have a certain celebrity.
My love to you both.
Kate
The Sound of Music is a classic film I have watched over and over during the holiday season. I marvel at how it is possible to get something new out of an experience, no matter how many times you have had it before. We are constantly expanding, growing and learning. It is our evolving awareness that becomes a great teacher.
Hello Nicole ,
You speak so eloquently of the true meaning of success, “true success is measured in the amounts of love and joy we share with others. I know now that by just listening, I am contributing.”
Thanks for sharing these wise words here.
I send you blessings of deep peace as you travel along the path this year, may it be joyful!
Hello Kate,
Wow, I must get to know this Miruh you speak of, she will tell you though that she balances her Yin and Yang, she is a closet yammerer. LOL.
Thank you for your generous, kind comment!
Sending you warm love and deep peace. May 2009 bring many creative ideas for awesome writing!
Hello Liara,
That’s an old favorite of mine too. This is true, “It is our evolving awareness that becomes a great teacher.”
When the student is ready the master will appear! Everything we need is already there if we but have the eyes to see and the ears to hear.
Thank you my friend, it is always a pleasure to hear your wisdom!
Silence quiets mental jabber. The love of nonverbal tenderness
deepens our perception of the frequency of freedom and peace.
Hi Miruh,
What a wonderful post about It’s A Wondeful Life. Have you noticed that the film is a different version of the Charles Dickens classic, Scrooge? When things look bleak, some can’t help but to think that they don’t belong here , but it is only because we are not seeing the big picture. It’s like a person finding out that they have to wear glasses, but instead of wearing them, they keep their eyes completely shut.
It may take a new pair of eyes to help us see our role in the universe. We can never forget that we not only see with our eyes, but we help others to see – that’s the nature of our spirit.
Thanks for sharing this bright gem.
Much love and light to you my friend.
Hello David,
Thanks for dropping by.
Your words speak of the beauty of deep stillness.
Peace to you!
Hello Alexys,
Wow, thanks for pointing it out, It’s a Wonderful Life is a different version of Scrooge! They both had help to see their role in the universe with fresh eyes.
Wise beautiful words, “We can never forget that we not only see with our eyes, but we help others to see – that’s the nature of our spirit.”
Yes, I am ever grateful for all those who have helped me to see through their eyes, and open to a whole new world of wonder.
Thank you my friend for always giving and sharing through your unique perspective. True to your avatar!
Much love to you, may you always see the unity of light and love in all!
Hi Miruh – Yes, we did write posts with a very similar message at the same time! It is a message which bears repeating, because so many of us need to hear it. In this age of celebrity, we have lost sight of the truth: few of us can be famous, but all of us can be important.
Hello Simon,
Yes, and the message was related three times that we know of during the same period, so that synchronistic event is meaningful for us three bloggers at least.
You say it so eloquently, and to quote Emily Dickinson from an e-mail I received today:
IF I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
Deep peace to you !
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