The Right Frame of Reference

Last week, I watched The Blind Side (starring Sandra Bullock and Quinton Aaron).  Hands down, it’s the best movie I’ve seen this year.

Based on a true story, Sandra’s character, Leigh Anne, and Quinton’s character, Michael, epitomize the spiritual qualities we should all strive to unleash on the world ~ love, compassion, unity, courage, and hope.

A few days later, I watched Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire  (with award-winning performances by both Gabourey Sadibe and Mo’Nique).

Grittier and not as uplifting as The Blind Side, Precious excels at demonstrating the resiliency of youth even under the most abusive conditions.

Here are a few parallels between the two:

Both teens grew up in ghettos where they faced extreme hardship and challenges without parental support ~ one abandoned and neglected, the other abused.

Both teens were under-educated and over-weight ~ which made them less likely to “stand out from the crowd” in a positive way.

Both teens had yet-to-be discovered talents, skills, and abilities which came to light only after they received attention, nurturing, and love  from caring adult role models who encouraged them to believe in themselves both in and out of the classroom.

Both teens earn our respect and admiration ~ we stop pitying them, and start rooting for them.  Instead of sympathy, we gain empathy.

Both movies end on a positive note ~ Michael succeeds in sports; Precious continues to live, love, laugh, and learn (although her future is decidedly less certain).

I plan to use both movies as my Frame of Reference for the foreseeable future ~ not only for the spiritual qualities seen on screen, but for what I felt as the credits rolled by frame by frame:

Gratitude . . . overwhelming gratitude.