I’ve never really been one for super artistic movies or ‘Indie films.’ Die Hard (one AND three), the Batman Dark Knight trilogy, Despicable Me, and Aristocats are all in my top favorite movies of all time. Action, adventure, animation, cheesiness…all pretty standard major film features. There is one less Hollywood-esque movie that I’ve always adored, though: Garden State.
No, I don’t think it’s a life-changing, earth-shattering, “holy crap, I totally get what he’s going through” kind of movie. I don’t relate to Zach Braff’s character and I don’t really get the whole deeper meaning, of which I’m sure there is one intended. I think it’s a neat movie with an awesome soundtrack, and my favorite Natalie Portman character of all-time. (If you haven’t seen it, I’ll spare you a synapsis.)
But one line has always stood out to me from Garden State, always stuck in my head: ‘Of course you’re alright; you’re alive.’
Of course you’re alright…you’re alive.
This line always seems to pop into my head when the universe knows I need a little perspective.
This week I had to complete one of the most lengthy, tedious, excruciating work projects of my life. And it was dropped on my desk as a last-minute task, so I’m three days behind on all other work. I’ve felt exhausted and frustrated and willing to do anything to make the project go away. Not to mention filled with anxiety of knowing clients won’t be happy that I may miss some deadlines because this project sprang up so last-minute. Then, I watched the news.
I’ve been doing an okay job keeping up with the Hurricane Harvey stories over the past week on social media. I’ve seen dozens and dozens of posts and updates about how bad things have been. I knew it was bad. But it still wasn’t really hitting me how bad. Until today.
This morning I watched footage of people wading through waist-deep water with no dry place to go. I watched people get lifted out of flooded streets in a basket attached to a helicopter. I watched parents desperately clinging to their children and pets. I watched one family re-enter their home for the first time in days to see almost everything they owned destroyed, save for a few things, including a bowl of Ramen noodles unfinished on the counter because they had to evacuate so abruptly in the first place. A family who managed to escape with a pick-up truck and a couple of boxes in the back filled with family photos – literally their only possessions left in the world.
Heartbreaking doesn’t begin to cover it. I think for many of us, at least I know for myself, it’s impossible to imagine what tragedy of that magnitude would actually be like. But even just seeing that footage – perspective. Some folks lost everything. Everything. Yet they are filled with gratitude just to be alive.
For the lives that were lost…I honestly do not have words. But my heart and thoughts and prayers are with those folks who lost loved ones and pets and homes. And I hope they know that, no matter how bad things are right now, they will be okay. They’re alive.
Maybe this random sentiment from a totally hipster movie won’t stick with you like it has for me. But I hope that maybe it does. We could all use a little perspective sometimes, right? (Obvi by sometimes, I mean ALL the time.)
And if you’re reading this: OF COURSE you’re alright. You’re ALIVE.
Curiously,
Tori
