truth, justice, and a little validation (or yes i saw the movie, but there are no spoilers in this post)
There are moments when your heart kind of swells in your chest and you feel little tears form behind your eyes. Something feels a little bit lighter...as though everything might be right in the world. Right now. In this moment.
A moment like this happened for me today. The music swelled and once again, Superman saved the day.
I am a sucker for movies where the good guy really does stand for truth and justice and all that stuff. Where the good guy doesn't lie. Where the good guy says something along the lines of "Swell." Yes, I am a sucker for that.
I have to tell you that in high school, I knew a guy like this. Truth, justice, and "swell." And when I heard the music as the opening credits began, I thought about him a bit. When we were seniors, the show Lois & Clark was on TV. Do you remember it? Dean Cain and Terry Hatcher? The banter between them always made me smile. And this guy and I had a bit of that banter sometimes. I think I might have thought we were a bit like Lois and Clark or rather, wished that we were. And now he is off saving the world in his own way, standing for justice and all that stuff as he serves in the Army over the big ocean in the midst of some scariness I try not to think about. A "golly gee" Clark Kent of a guy turning into a Superman of sorts. Perfect. (Be safe my friend. Remember that you know how to fly.)
As I watched the movie though, I realized that what I really wanted back in high school was that moment when Superman shows Lois the world from his perspective. He invites her to change her perspective a bit. When I found someone who wanted to do this, well, it was all over for me. To challenge me to see things I never even looked at before knowing him, this is the gift my husband gives me, and he has the desire for me to do the same for him. And of course, the need to protect me from any that might harm me is a nice thing too. (Oh and the way he always gets me water each night before I go to bed; how it just appears there on my bedside table...I could go on...)
As the movie continued, I also noticed the theme of acceptance. Isn't this what we are ultimately searching for over and over? Validation. There is a scene in the movie that visually illustrates the opposite of this: rejection, prejudice, and brutality. This scene will haunt me for a while. Why is it that we want to destroy one another? Why don't we try to understand instead of harm? Naive questions, maybe, but I think it is true that we all seek validation. Why is it that we do not give it so easily? Or is it that people do not recognize it when it is offered to them?
At the beginning of the movie, when the characters are put in their first of many tense moments, I found myself sitting hunched forward in my seat, chewing on my lip, brow furrowed, and I had to laugh at myself. I turned to Jon and whispered, "I forgot that a Superman movie means lots of bad stuff happens so that Superman can save the day." He grabbed my hand and nodded.
This is life, yes? A lot of bad stuff has to happen. But, there is something to the idea that inviting someone to see your perspective, to walk in your shoes for a moment (or at least recognize that you walk or fly on your own path), to really see you as a person, well, this may be the way to save each other. To save ourselves. Validation is a powerful gift.
I know that I seek this in my own life. I look for ways to reassure myself that I am not alone. This is why there are so many books that line the shelves in my home. I am seeking a kinship with others; an understanding that the way I look at things, this way that seemed to invite a theme of loneliness in my life, is perhaps not as lonely as I thought. This is what I found by reading poetry. This is what I have found by coming here to this place and writing and reading and writing some more. This is what I have found through my journey with yoga. Perhaps, this is the new theme of my life. The understanding that I am not alone.
As the music swelled, my heart felt a bit lighter. Someone was coming along to save the day. We are not alone in our struggles, even on the days when it feels like we might be. We are here for each other.
liz lamoreux
Reader Comments (18)
What a lovely non-spoiler review and comment on life!
I'm really hoping to see Superman this weekend if Real Life cooperates. We'll see.
Yes, it's tremendously validating to realize that we are not alone in our thoughts and feelings. Finding common ground, companionship, some sense of belonging, is such a relief.
I have to say too, that I read this post with your voice in my mind - it became so much more personal.
Yes, so true. How life changing it is when you realise that you´re not alone, the people who understand you and accept you are out there, you just have to find them and then like yourself as much as they do!
I love that you turned to Jon and spoke that observation....
you are so right about the loneliness and trying to connect
so happy I connected with you
my bloggie sister
you are stupendous
Oh Liz, I just absolutely LOVE this!! It's exactly how I feel, exactly the search I am on to find kindred spirits (like YOU) to fill my life with. Yes, this is how we save each other, to understand and be understood, to love and be loved. You are wonderful. Thanks for understanding and loving. The world is a better place for it, for superheros like you.
Beautiful post, Liz.
I love this post. Validation to save ourselves and each other. Kindness, love and acceptance. I too feel a bit naive at times, because it really couldn't be any more simple and true right? We just love and accept each other. What else could there be? I want this for the world, for our selves, I dont want the bad stuff to happen in order for someone to save the day. I just want love love love... ;)
Thanks for the review, the words and the validation that there are quite a few superheroes out there.
e
Thanks for such a resassuring post.
I'm feeling horribly homesick these days. I miss my family and my cat and my friends back home. I have Ricardo here, but no friends. I've lived in Mozambique for over a year. I feel very, very alone here, but still I feel it's where I need to be at the moment.
I don't know what I'd do without the internet and my blog friends. It's what keeps me going, knowing that someone across the world is typing out a message that can resonante so completely with me.
you have taken so much
from a movie others may
not have realized any lesson
or truth
could be taken from...
good for you!
:)
i love when you rise me above our world and show me your perspective...
superwoman.
love to you, my friend.
I think we need more examples of truth, justice, kindness, and acceptance. I know I'm eager for things to believe in, people to trust and count on, a sense that we can put ideals into practice.
What a thoughtful review.
I sat back and thought about your posts for a moment...why is it that we don't offer validation more. We do all seek it. I know I do and have written about my need for validation many times on my blog.
The word dichotomy comes to mind(of course I had to look it up to make sure I spelled it correctly and had the right meaning of the word)
Yes...the dichotomy of wanting to be unique and simultaneously wanting to feel connected to every one else.
This is true for me. There are moments when I know we are all one...yet there are moments I know I have (as I believe everyone else has as well) unique gifts to give to the world.
I will ponder this some more today.
I was a big fan of Lois and Clark and I remember rushing home on Sunday nights after work to make myself some dinner so I could enjoy my favorite show!
Superpost!
,,,
I just saw Superman this weekend and I felt the same way when the music gets going and there he is saving everything that needs to be saved. Alas, we sure need a Superman now, not just to save stuff, but to take some people away so that they can separately form their own little planet of corprorate evil and leave the rest of us ALONE! I also was surprised at how nostalgic the Superman theme made me feel-brought back visceral feelings & memories I hadn't thought of in years! Then I came home and downloaded the theme onto my IPOD- imagine me jogging (or rather, walking) to this music. I keep feeling like I am about to be lifted off the ground and transported somewhere exciting. (p.S.) It was wonderful to see you Sunday!!!)
I must go and see this film, now. It seems to had quite an effect of lots of people.
I love the relationship you hadwith your friend. You are superwoman!
I think that the support and kinship of the blogworld is a saviour to many of us. :)
Loved the movie, and loved your take on it here. So many good important themes! (And he was cute, too!)
amen!