Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Excuse Me For Just One Moment



I finally got around to seeing "Beasts Of The Southern Wild," a stunning film about love, pride, loyalty and survival. It has been a long while since a movie has affected me so deeply.  Benh Zeitlin's film is a beautiful and powerful achievement, and I can't recommend it enough.

There's a lot to take away from this movie, but the one line that resonated and continues to replay over and over in my mind is, "Learn how to take care of those smaller and sweeter than you are."

In light of recent events, that line reverberated in a deafening way. The words "smaller" and "sweeter" paint a somewhat obvious picture. But they can also mean so much more.

We all have our personal obstacles that stymie our progress in achieving our ultimate goal---happiness. With just a few days left in the year, it's a perfect time to reconsider the importance of those obstacles. Look around you, read a newspaper, watch the news. See how long it takes for you to see someone worse off than you are.

"Smaller and sweeter" can just as well be "lost and lonely" or "older and delicate" or "sensitive and cranky," or simply "unhappy."

We are all trying. But we can try harder. Find something that makes you happy and hold onto it like a most precious jewel, because it is. You will not be better off without it.

"Learn to take care of those smaller and sweeter than you are."



9 comments:

cmealha said...

Because of the daily distractions we all deal with, we often forget the important things. Thanks for the reminder. Beautifully done.

Terri H. said...

Thanks for the beauty, Sal; best of days to you. xoxT

michele said...

Nicely said Sal. I try to think of this EVERYDAY. It's been a difficult time lately with such horror in the news. Life is fleeting and the "sweet and small things" are the most important

A walk in the woods said...

Nice writing... and makes me want to see that movie for sure. Happy holidays Sal!

whattawino said...

That was one of the most beautifully expressed sentiments I've read on these pages and while reading it out loud to Nina, we both were dabbing at our eyes by the last line. We both thank you for all the great music, opinions, reviews, etc, throughout the entire year. Hope you and all the Wood readers have a wonderful New Year and let us all take that message to heart...and then share it. Peace!

vanwoert said...

Lovely. Thanks for all the music this year Sal and Happy New Year.

Anonymous said...

Sal, I loved that movie; the young girl was an unforgettable character. And i love the sentiments and the song it made you think of. Thanks for better things all year long, and happy New Year!
Alexi

Eric said...

kudos to the king of the well deserved kvetch................

Elizabeth said...

beautifully said.