We all need a pinch of inspiration
January 30, 2008
Posted by CindyW in : For Kids , trackback
Inspiration (n). 1. Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of activity or feeling. 2. One that moves the intellect or emotions or prompts action or invention…
Believing in the causes, many of us endeavor to live greener lives, despite of all the bad news from the global warming front and the blatant inaction (or rather anti-action) by our own government. We talk to each other, encourage and learn from each other. Then we go back to our homes and try to do the right thing. But even the heartiest among us need a pinch of inspiration now and then.
Inspiration is by definition an abstract concept. It may be words, images, voices, acts, events or other forms of stimulation of the mind or emotion. We cannot force inspiration, but when it happens upon us, it drives us to do the right things despite of ourselves, it elevates us to find the strength that we did not know we had, and it makes us yearn for our better selves.
Recently the seemingly non-stop Californian rain has forced us indoors more than usual. And for once I am glad, because in the last two weeks, I, together with my family, found unexpected inspiration in two children/family movies. You heard it right, children’s movies – Duma and Fly Away Home, both directed by the brilliant Carroll Ballard. Never heard of them? Apparently the media “power” decided a while ago that children could only absorb and be entertained by animated films with clichés, shallow jokes, and cheap snippets of moral lessons.
In a review for Duma, L.A. Times stated, “In a sane world, there would be dancing in the streets at the arrival of a film as magical and entertaining as Carroll Ballard’s “Duma.” Television and radio advertising would trumpet its arrival, and audiences nationwide would be streaming to theaters to see it. Sadly, we do not live in that world.”
In any case, Duma was about a young boy (Xan) becoming a man during a journey to return Duma (Swahili for “cheetah”) back to the wild. The adventure spoke of heart-breaking loss and grief, the indescribable majesty and harshness of nature, friendship and loyalty, and most importantly, the strength and wisdom in himself Xan gradually found and learned to trust. The vast green-gold South African plains and the cheetah that moves like lightening are in themselves great treats. I whole-heartedly agree with one of the reviewers:“ (Duma) is an adventure tale with lots of danger and suspense, made in a way that doesn’t abuse children’s emotions or underestimate their intelligence. Needless to say, adults are likely to enjoy it just as much, if not more.”
After finishing Duma with teary eyes and bubbling love, we had to find other films directed by Ballard. When the rain kept us inside a bit more last weekend and “forced” us to watch “Fly Away Home”, we were all too willing to oblige. 13-year-old Amy lost her mother in a car accident and had to live with her estranged sculptor father whom she could barely remember. In the desolate yet beautiful land of Ontario, she accidentally became a “mama goose” to a flock of newborn geese. Against all odds and with the help from dad, Amy taught and led the geese along a migratory route from Ontario to North Carolina. Through the process, Amy gained unyielding confidence in herself and opened to new possibilities. Yes, she flew with the geese.
Both of my girls ( 5&1/2 and 3) were enthralled with the movies, especially Fly Away Home. They could not tell me the specific reasons, but they begged me to buy a copy so they could “watch it again and again and again”.
But I know why the movies were so riveting to them as they were to me. It was that deep nourishing connection the hero/heroin found between their young souls and the animals in nature. It was the innocent and relentless belief that everything was possible. It was the surprising and delightful realization of their inner strength and wisdom.
It was that pinch of inspiration we all need, now and then.
Now, I can go back to trying to do the right thing.
CindyW at Organicpicks
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Comments»
Thanks Cindy, for these movie recs. I am trying to move away from the standard movie fare of CARS, Mickey and such for the kids. They hardly ever watch TV or movies but once in a while would be nice. We’ll see if our library has a copy of these.