I was telling friends recently how much I love this movie much to their chagrin. But I love it for all the reasons you listed and also because I too am not a perfect mom, wife, daughter, friend, or grandma, but I know with my whole heart they would mourn greatly if I was gone. Selfless love is painful. If it wasn't, everyone would do it.
This was one of the best articles I have read this year. I deeply appreciated your wider lens to view George Bailey’s life, and how much it reflects how we all struggle from day to day, and yet how much each life impacts another. Thank you for sharing your insights.
I love this so much. Will keep it in mind as I watch it for the zillionth time. (As much as I love watching with others I always need a private viewing so I can sob in peace, thank you.) How can I see other people and love them well? A good thought to take into the new year.
This is one of the best essays I've ever read about one of my very favourite movies (which continues to teach me important lessons). I really appreciate your insights and your vulnerability, Amy. I loved this.
I really cannot stand that movie (forced childhood viewings and cinematic reasons), but I frequently think of the ending, especially when I am desperately lonely. I am the oldest daughter who had to raise her siblings, who did all the right things, shouldered weight I never should have been given, who was responsible because everyone assumed I was. The wider lens viewpoint was ingrained into me from the first viewing, because actions were the focal point of my family, and our character witness was THE THING™ we had to safe guard. (That and how suicide is wrong and the heretical portrayal of angels.)
George realized at the end that people really did see HIM, and the moral was that you're always being watched, so make sure when you screw up, people forgive you, because of your impeccable character.
I have a picture in my wall that reminds me, every day, of one time I was shown myself through other's eyes; it gives me courage. I was drowning, trying to figure out how to die, unable to live.
This picture does say how my actions were appreciated, but expresses that the woman behind the actions was the one loved. My actions were missed because I was missed, not vice versa. "George Bailey, the richest man in town" is the ending, and also the promise of a brand new beginning. It's cliche, and overquoted, and impossible to imagine in our influencer society.
It is also the perfect encapsulation of our lives in Christ, provided we learn that we are already worth saving. Not because we earn it, but because we are loved. Believing that each person has an inherent worth changes the perspective from constantly worrying that my actions will fail me, and trusting in the One who cannot. His sacrifice was enough. My works demonstrate my faith, but they are not the end. When I fail, because He defines me, I can accept the wider viewpoint, and keep holding on, knowing I can keep living.
Even if I am determined to ONLY make it through tomorrow, there's another and another one and another one.
I was telling friends recently how much I love this movie much to their chagrin. But I love it for all the reasons you listed and also because I too am not a perfect mom, wife, daughter, friend, or grandma, but I know with my whole heart they would mourn greatly if I was gone. Selfless love is painful. If it wasn't, everyone would do it.
This was one of the best articles I have read this year. I deeply appreciated your wider lens to view George Bailey’s life, and how much it reflects how we all struggle from day to day, and yet how much each life impacts another. Thank you for sharing your insights.
I love this so much. Will keep it in mind as I watch it for the zillionth time. (As much as I love watching with others I always need a private viewing so I can sob in peace, thank you.) How can I see other people and love them well? A good thought to take into the new year.
This is one of the best articles I've read this December! Thank you!
I loved this!
That was lovely and profound. Thank you!
This made me cry! I was pondering some of these same questions this year while watching the movie, and you put it so beautifully!
This is one of the best essays I've ever read about one of my very favourite movies (which continues to teach me important lessons). I really appreciate your insights and your vulnerability, Amy. I loved this.
Beautiful essay!!
I really cannot stand that movie (forced childhood viewings and cinematic reasons), but I frequently think of the ending, especially when I am desperately lonely. I am the oldest daughter who had to raise her siblings, who did all the right things, shouldered weight I never should have been given, who was responsible because everyone assumed I was. The wider lens viewpoint was ingrained into me from the first viewing, because actions were the focal point of my family, and our character witness was THE THING™ we had to safe guard. (That and how suicide is wrong and the heretical portrayal of angels.)
George realized at the end that people really did see HIM, and the moral was that you're always being watched, so make sure when you screw up, people forgive you, because of your impeccable character.
I have a picture in my wall that reminds me, every day, of one time I was shown myself through other's eyes; it gives me courage. I was drowning, trying to figure out how to die, unable to live.
This picture does say how my actions were appreciated, but expresses that the woman behind the actions was the one loved. My actions were missed because I was missed, not vice versa. "George Bailey, the richest man in town" is the ending, and also the promise of a brand new beginning. It's cliche, and overquoted, and impossible to imagine in our influencer society.
It is also the perfect encapsulation of our lives in Christ, provided we learn that we are already worth saving. Not because we earn it, but because we are loved. Believing that each person has an inherent worth changes the perspective from constantly worrying that my actions will fail me, and trusting in the One who cannot. His sacrifice was enough. My works demonstrate my faith, but they are not the end. When I fail, because He defines me, I can accept the wider viewpoint, and keep holding on, knowing I can keep living.
Even if I am determined to ONLY make it through tomorrow, there's another and another one and another one.