Tuesday, June 24, 2014

ABC - Jackson 5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-aSjHnbw18




This song is one of my earliest of my own choosing.  Up until ABC, my music was that which was passed to me by my parents.  I owned the 45 and knew all the words.  This song takes me back to a very carefree period in my life.  It never occurred to me then, that I would have to learn to know who I was.  My life is more complicated now.   To help me sleep at night I have been making lists in my head.  I recently started trying to make a list of my top 5 movies.


I have had the most lively debate in my head, paring down a long list of favorites.  It would seem making the list taught me much about myself.  Well, four months later...I have a firm top 5.


 I have had a good time with this endeavor.  I watched several of my favorite movies again.  It has helped me be my own friend.  I have dissected what I loved about each.  It is as if I have written an essay in my head about the themes, music, places and people in each.  I have championed the cause in each movie and I have felt privileged to watch the stories unfold. 




After much thought my top 5 are as follows:






1. Out of Africa.  I have loved this movie since I saw it when it opened in 1978.  Now that I have been to many of the places in the movie...I love it more.  I have a love for Africa because of this movie.  It gave me the courage to see it for myself.  I plan to return there as part of my retirement plan.  I loved the strength of the main character.  I felt her flaws as my own.  I had no idea the day I saw this movie for the first time, that I would fly to Africa...all by myself...and live an adventure. 






2. The Color Purple.  I love a tale of strength among women.  I love their loyalty to each other.  I love the narration.  I admire the hope that the women have in the face of adversity.  The way the story is woven, I  witnessed women making their own peace in their souls.  It made me realize, I could confront my own, albeit lessor challenges.












3. The Shawshank Redemption.  This movie was all about the relationships of men.  That is a rarity for me.  I tend to gravitate towards movies about women, strong women.  Ahhh, but I loved this movie.  I will say I love their loyalty, their bond.  They were men living in a tough environment, but they related to each other with all the love and strength of women.  I loved the narration in this movie as well.  I loved the audacity of hope... the humanity in such an abrasive environment.






4. My Cousin Vinny.  You can't go deep with this movie.  It made me howl.  There are a million little plots in this movie.  Sometimes, you just need to be dazzled with witty-sharp dialogue.  For good measure there is the hairdresser-car mechanic heroine who saves the day.  What is there not to
love.





5. The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio.  I think I like the story this movie tells the most.  I think it is important to remember why women fought for equal rights.  More importantly I was proud of way the mother fought for her cubs.  The mother was a gentle giant.  I was watching this movie and heard a line that made me lift my head in attention.  The mother tells her husband..."I don't need you to make me happy, I just need you to leave me alone when I am".  That line describes the state of my marriage, just before it fell.  We all think we want someone to make us happy.  I don't think that anymore.  I want someone who won't make me unhappy.  I am responsible for my own happiness.






I know this list is a trivial thing of little importance; but I enjoyed this journey.    I have been thinking about what I do in life that makes me happy.  Looking at these stories I thought of the days I was taking classes in literature.  I love looking at the mechanics of a story as much as the story it's self.  I would love a degree in women's studies, for no other reason than the joy of doing it.  Do I have a new bucket list item?  






Sometimes you have to spend time with yourself.  I found out mundane thoughts gave me a good look inward.  Sometimes in life, you can be your own best friend.   It is as simple as ABC, 1 2 3.



No comments:

Post a Comment