Peaceful Warrior

First, I'd like to use this opportunity to congratulate Bono on his recent Knighting by the Queen Mum. Now my favorite rock star would go by SIR Bono. I like that. Congrats Bono!

Second, last night I attended a free screening of Peaceful Warrior. It's based on an autobiographical work by Dan Millman (which I had never heard of). I came across the passes at Best Buy, it was free, I'd seen the previews and I was stoked to see Nick Nolte act again. My friend and I attended and I must say I enjoyed that film a GREAT deal, and I teared up more than once. I'm sure I'll be trying to work things out in my head for a bit, and when the DVD comes out I'll at least review it, or probably buy it. There are a million points of interest in there, but the point that struck me the hardest is, "Life is about the journey, not the destination". It's true, isn't it? The best part of anticipating a vacation or a concert or a holiday is the excitement leading up to it and the planning. The actual event is generally okay, but not nearly so good as the time leading up to it.

I was already aware that I spend a great deal of my personal life wishing it was a day later than it is because there is something "better" happening next week. Another big point in the movie was "all that matters is what is happening right now" NOT what just did happen or what is going to happen. You know, that's right...but how hard is it to appreciate the moment? In this age of multi-tasking and anticipating future needs, who even bothers to really think about the moment they are experiencing RIGHT THEN? Rarely do I. If you do, well, then I tip my hat.

Another line Nolte has is at one point he expresses how sad it is that most people go through their entire lives without ever actually really living. How easy would that be to do? I know my first 40 years have whipped by, and I'm hyper aware that I could very well time warp the next 40 if I'm not careful. But how to live in the moment? How to teach oneself how to stop stressing what was and what will be and just enjoy (or at least acknowledge) what IS? I sure don't know...but I guess the important thing is that I'm trying to figure it out.

I recommend everybody give this film a try. This was opening weekend, so it should be around for a bit. Although I don't really understand all the lessons or even how to start learning them, I am aware there was something there to be absorbed and instilled. If any of you figure it out, let me know and clue me in. :-)