Life Lessons from The Big Miracle

Yesterday my husband, his friend Sam, and three of our kids with their friends and/or girlfriends all went to the opening night show of the Big Miracle at the Tikahatnu Theater on Muldoon.  There we watched the film and I was able to see more detail in Kelly's scene than I did at the first preview show where we were so excited that half of the scene we missed cheering and hugging each other. The camera is focused on Kelly long enough to not only capture his dialogue, but also some of his signature facial expressions, including an eye brow raise that I find particularly endearing.  It's a great addition to his resume and I am extremely proud of him!  If you haven't seen this movie, you must go!!!

The film, Big Miracle started out with the title "Everybody Loves Whales."  As production moved on, the title was changed.  The change seems fitting.  The biggest miracle shown in the film was the demonstration of what can happen when people put aside stress causing, political, cultural, and petty differences and truly work together towards a common goal.  This film shows how competition and conflict tearing groups of people apart can make reasonable, loving, passionate people look like assholes.  It shows that the people who are truly assholes have karma bite them and trip them up.  It also shows how we often rationalize stereotypes and feelings of superiority and allow our pride to stand in the way of reaching out to those who could really help us along our paths, even if it means failing miserably.

Appearances aren't everything.  You aren't always right.  Passion is beautiful.  Some conflict is necessary. The answers aren't always obvious.  Listen to more than your reactions.  Respect the feelings and culture and faith of those around you.  No one is as important as they think they are.

Fight for what you believe in, follow your dreams..... but take a moment to reflect on your method of fighting to make sure that it isn't alienating the very person that cares about you and can help you the most.