Back To The Basics

Being born with a congenital spinal birth defect, having over 40 major surgeries thus far, it seems extraordinary to others that I maintain a positive upbeat outlook on life.  Well growing up in a hospital and learning the reality of life very young my perspective is different than most, as it was, my whole life.  Embracing each second I got to live or each surgery after which I got to come home to my siblings was a blessing as is each day, even when in debilitating pain.  It does not remove the pain, the struggle or fear, what it does is help me see life from the perspective of how full it is. 

A Smile Lights Up A Room

I have different ways to cope with pain and surgeries.  Certainly I am not alone in the plight against chronic pain and energy conservation.  I like to distract myself by listening to music (one of my favorite techniques) or by watching movies with positive, encouraging messages.  Usually each surgery or challenge I watch and re-watch the same movie.  There is comfort, somehow, in hearing and seeing the same movie repeatedly.  Actually it became a series, Legally Blonde with Reese Witherspoon and others is one which continually makes me laugh but also has many meanings within it. 

Perhaps there are some who think it's a frivolous "chick flick" about some blonde in L.A. (in the first one).  However upon watching these movies, yes there is embellishment of the L.A. culture and sororities with everything being pink, fuzzy, dressing her little dog and coming across as a space cadet.  Beneath the surface though the messages are clear.  In the first one, Reese (Elle) wanted to get her boyfriend back by becoming a "serious" law student so with much fortitude, support from her friends and plain optimism she did get accepted into Harvard Law School.
 
Once there it was quite clear the cultural differences between L.A. and the East Coast.  She was even called "Malibu Barbie."  In an attempt to win back her boyfriend, she puts her efforts into becoming a "serious law student."  Again she made friends and put her mind to accomplishing the goal (which she thought was to get her boyfriend back) and ends up graduating top of her class with prestigious offering at a law firm in Boston.  Yes her boyfriend (Warner) ended up wanting her back when he saw what a power house she was and how she beat all odds.  She realized that she inadvertently she found herself as a lawyer, able to use her voice and work for the common good.  Some of the movie is idealistic but isn't it nice to still be idealistic?  Isn't it nice to see the good in people and not jump quickly to a negative conclusion?  It's nice, quite frankly, to be like Elle in this movie.

In the second movie she takes on Washington to ban cosmetic testing on animals.  The irony is she is the picture of beauty and talks of makeup and fashion throughout both movies.  She realizes the injustice of animal testing makeup on for her own benefit.  Again when she arrives in Washington D.C. her "team" does not embrace her and finds her too "Polly Anna" and way to positive to ever succeed on The Hill.  She does it her way, with style, grace, integrity and kindness and in the movie ends up winning her fight.  It was not easy.  Again it was through her tenacity, positivity, close friends and smarts she overcomes the obstacles associated with politics.  She also makes it a point to give others credit, even if not due, to enhance team morale.  This shows the team she isn't out to knock someone down at her expense.

Lean On Each Other

So how can I NOT be happy with messages like these around me?  I am surprised our DVDs aren't worn out from watching these movies during recovery from numerous surgeries.  It shows that when we, as people, get back to the basics and focus on what is important, inherently walls are dismantled and people come together.  These are ideals which help me on a daily basis, remain true to your morals and ethics, have a solid inner circle of friends and family to trust and don't give up.  With such support it is easier to keep going to the finish line.  It does not mean there won't be pain or loneliness or fear, it means you aren't alone.  So to those who don't understand the basics of being happy, I say watch "Legally Blonde" and get beyond the stereotypes and embellishments to really see how Reese's character Elle overcomes challenges with such grace.

Humanity is about treating others the way they need to be treated and placing those around you that embrace you in good times and bad.  We are truly rich if we have just one person in our life who fills those shoes.  I am thankful for all these people and my dog too!  Although I don't dress mine since she's a yellow lab and all dog but she brings a smile to my face.  Stella helps put life in perspective as well.  The messages of how and why to be positive are around all of us, just open your eyes and be open to using these tools.  You'll be surprised at the positive changes in your life. Let's do it together!

Share Joy With Your Furry Baby