Facing Life’s Difficulties

Movies That Show The Value Of Acceptance

Image by L.E. Wilson from RedBubble based on work on Pixabay

We are nothing; what we are looking for is everything.

—Friedrich Holderlin

There is a song written in 1967 by American country singer Billy Joe Royal with the lyrics:

I beg your pardon—I never promised you a rose garden. Along with the sunshine, there’s gotta be a little rain sometime.

Isn’t it absolutely true that no one has ever promised you a rose garden? So why do you think you should get everything you want?

There is relief and peace of mind to be found in realizing that it is a bit demanding, a little bratty, and a tad strange to be disappointed that you don’t have it all right now. Why should you have it all? Didn’t you ever notice that life is struggle? You’re lucky if you have something. Cherish what you do have, and it will likely feel like it’s enough. Actually, if you do it well—it will feel like you have it all.

Below are a few movies that restate and reimagine this essential message, which is that perhaps you already have what you are looking for, so open your eyes and appreciate the wonders around you. But if you really don’t see it, then you should make getting it a priority. Here, the words of Alfred Lord Tennyson come to mind, particularly the last three:

Though much is taken, much abides; and though we are not now that strength which in old days moved Earth and Heaven, that which we are, we are—One equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate, but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

Life will bring with it difficulties, but the ability to be happy and get through pain is also within you. Here are a few movies that demonstrate exactly how to do that:

The Wizard of Oz (1939) is a fantasy co-directed by Victor Fleming, based on the book by L. Frank Baum, about Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland), a farm girl from Kansas who travels to Oz, a strange city where she meets many unusual characters.

Life Lesson: You already have what you are looking for.

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This classic and amazing movie has a time-honored, quintessential message that for some reason we constantly forget: There is no place like home. It’s a cousin to the idea that the things and people we take for granted will be greatly missed when they are gone. So why not make the effort to enjoy and cherish the time you can spend at home with your loved ones? If you can do this, then a curious thing happens: You realize that you can be happy anywhere.

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Scrooged (1988) is a comedy directed by Richard Donner, adapted from Charles Dickens’ classic book, A Christmas Carol, about Frank Cross (Bill Murray), a cold-hearted TV executive who is given the chance to change his callous ways by three ghosts.

Life Lesson: “Put a little love in your heart, and the world will be a better place.”
—Jackie DeShannon

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Scrooged is a modern retelling of Charles Dickens’A Christmas Carol, which is the standard-bearer for the message that you already have everything you need to be happy, and what’s more, your happiness can positively impact other people. To rephrase Jackie DeShannon’s words: put a little joy in your heart by celebrating special occasions, and the world will be a better place.

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Kung Fu Panda (2008) is a humorous animated fantasy directed by Mark Osborne and John Stevenson about an unlikely hero, Po, a warrior panda voiced by Jack Black, who trains to become the legendary Dragon Warrior.

Life Lesson: Physical appearance does not determine ability.

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To be able to see your own potential is a gift. To be able to see your potential when you don’t fit the mold is a superpower. And this is the core of the message the movies listed here are trying to get at. You don’t need to look a particular way, or act like someone else, or be anyone else. With the combinations of traits and experiences that you possess, you have what you need to succeed even if you’ve never seen someone like you do so. The words of Albert Camus come to mind, “But above all—in order to be, never try to seem.”

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Big (1988) is a comedic fantasy directed by Penny Marshall about Josh Baskin (Tom Hanks), a 12-year-old boy who wants to be “big” and gets his wish granted by a Zoltar Speaks fair machine, which turns him into an adult who gets a job at a toy company and a girlfriend, Susan (Elizabeth Perkins).

Life Lesson: Be careful what you wish for; you might just get it.

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With this wonderful, funny movie we get a modern retelling of Dorothy’s journey to Oz, which is now New York City. Again, the main character, Josh, played masterfully by Tom Hanks, learns that there is no place like home. And again we get to see the same theme materialize that lets you know you had it good all along. If only we could accept that which we are, we are—then we could open ourselves to experiencing so much more joy and contentment.

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There are always flowers for those who want to see them.

— Henri Matisse

It’s an interesting observation that if we feel satisfied and happy with our lives, then being kind to others and ourselves is quite effortless. Moreover, it is during these times that we are able to truly—from the bottom of our hearts—feel happy for the achievements and successes of other people. We are able to partake in their triumph. We rejoice for them. We are sincerely glad for them. Life seems beautiful and we all feel blessed.

But if things are not going well, and we are not satisfied or happy with our lives, then it is quite a monumental task to bury the jealousy, resentment, anger, and/or bitterness that may bubble up in order to muster the energy to force yourself to feel happy for someone who at that point will seem to unfairly have it all—while you have nothing! It is through clenched teeth then that you offer your congratulations because there are few things more painful than seeing someone succeed in life while you struggle to survive. But overcome this pain we must.

No one said it would be easy. No one promised you a rose garden. But if you can put yourself in the right mindset to gracefully show love and appreciation to everyone—everyone—around you while you are in pain, then you are truly a hero who is really helping others as you help yourself.

How? It’s simple. More happy people means more kindness to go around. Therefore, the world needs you to find a way to feel satisfied with your life, and to be happy. So look again. Isn’t life wonderful?

So smile for a while and let's be jolly… Come on and share the good times while we can.

—Rose Garden by Billy Joe Royal.

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Visit the moviewise catalogue—a searchable database of one sentence movie summaries, movie quotes, and movie wisdom—for movie recommendations.

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