It's a wonderful life

To all our wonderful readers: Wish you a Very Merry Christmas and/or Enjoyable Holidays.

Point to Ponder: “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without also helping himself.”  - Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Story Line: by Rajiv Shah 

My mind keeps returning to the film, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The film’s message has stayed with me as it has with so many viewers. The message I took away was this: the truth of one’s own life isn’t in the taking, in the acquisition of more and more things, but of the giving of oneself to others. And that giving will impact those around you.

The central character, George Bailey, is not acting like his usual self in the beginning of the film. The townspeople pray to God for George. God responds by sending an angel to show Bailey the positive impact his life has made on his community. 

Without going into a full-blown synopsis of the movie, I want to pose a few thoughts: Firstly, Bailey had always wanted to travel the world, and to leave the town that he was so integral to. Secondly, Bailey regretted the things he didn’t do but never saw the positive influence he had in those around him. Why is it that the “what ifs” seem to occupy us more than the “what is?” 

Finally, the angel showed George the purpose of his life and the good that was in his life all along. 

Reflection: The secret Bailey discovered was that you get what you give. If he had never given of himself to the community, the community would have suffered and George would have never affected the lives of so many people. The material things Bailey didn’t acquire were replaced by the wishes, love, and thoughts of those he impacted in Bedford Falls. As Bailey says at the end of the film, “No man can be poor as long as he has friends.”  

This reflection was originally published in December 2010 and then again in December 2014.It has been one of the favorites of the readers.

Comments

[sujat]

Wonderful! :)

I not only resonate with Emerson's words above, but go a step further. I am convinced of this.... that whatever we do, even if it is 'for others' like we are conditioned to believe, we do it for ourselves, if we can understand the essence in its fundamental level. For helping ourselves is not incidental or a by-product here; it is the very purpose as well as the driving force. - And why is that? The essence.. the crux.. is Empathy.

[sujat]

Continued from previous post....

If we do something driven by Empathy, we are necessarily doing it for ourselves. And if we do something driven by anything else other than empathy, we are doing it for satisfying/pleasing our ego at some or the other level.... that is, we are still doing it for ourselves. :)

[HUMBLE WARRIOR]

"FROM WHAT WE GET, WE CAN MAKE A LIVING; WHAT WE GIVE, HOWEVER, MAKES A LIFE"- WINSTON CHURCHILL

[Comments in 2010 publication ( posted by FR team)]

Zhicong
This is the first message I saw on my Xmas morning.
Happy holidays to you and your family and thanks for your “Friday reflections” in the passing year.

Posted by: Zhicong | December 25, 2010 at 08:35 AM

Joseph
Wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

Posted by: Joseph | December 25, 2010 at 08:46 AM

Hok-Kin
Have a happy holiday !

All the best in 2011 !
Posted by: Hok-Kin | December 25, 2010 at 08:48 AM

SH
Thanks. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May you have good health and happiness in everything that you do. Life is wonderful… so, enjoy and celebrate life…

Posted by: SH | December 25, 2010 at 09:08 AM

micro CEO
I think the message embedded in that timeless film is also one of taking action where one feels it is necessary. Carpe Diem. Selecting what is really important and making difficult decisions/sacrifices accordingly.

I recently got into a local taxi cab and the driver, an senior gentleman who appeared to me as well-read, though perhaps not highly educated, gave me his harangue about how the economy is going from bad to worse in Japan, and also in our city. I listened carefully, since his opinions reflected both a popular trend and the talk of famous experts. I could not refute him, but before I exited the cab I asked: "Sir how old are you? Do you consider yourself already dead or still alive?"

The meaning of my comment was that as long as we have energy left in us we should be working to create a future that suits us, rather than complaining passively about what may happen if things do not go well.

To paraphrase a documentary I recently watched, "it is too late to be pessimistic". We are committed to our lives and to our world.

I think the Wonderful Life makes this argument, and like Dicken's "Christmas Carol" story, it endures for it's message of hope.

Happy Holiday of Holidays everyone.

Posted by: micro CEO | December 26, 2010 at 04:48 AM

Comments received in emails by FR team
Wish you have a merry Christmas and Happy new year.Recently, Korea is cover on very cold air. But, whenever I meet your Reflection, I'm able to find a warm message from them. You have another ability to change the air in my mind.
MS: A friend from Korea

Blessed Christmas to u and all at home too!Mr. Lim a Malaysian Friend

Christmas wishes to you & your family and I hope 2011 is a great year for you. Best wishes, Steve.

Hope you have a very merry Christmas! CS Santa Clara

Posted by: Comments received in emails by FR team | December 26, 2010 at 10:51 AM

[comments in 2014 reflection (posted by FR team)]

Nice reflection.

Someone suggested to watch ‘The Shop Around the Corner (1940)’ as a movie similar to It’s A Wonderful Life. I will find a copy and let you know my verdict.

Merry Christmas!

Posted by: Pinoy in Taiwan | December 18, 2014 at 08:41 PM

NJ
I often ask myself "why people feel good after they've done something nice to others?" This good feeling happens to many people. I don't think we learned that from books or schools. My guess is that we were born with such tendency to help others. May be helping others is part of the design when humans were created?

Posted by: NJ | December 18, 2014 at 09:17 PM

Touched by an angel
"Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?" Clarence in It's a wonderful life

Posted by: Touched by an angel | December 18, 2014 at 09:37 PM

CH Cheok
Only 'riches' able to give. If you still have something to give away, then you are not 'poor'.

Posted by: CH Cheok | December 19, 2014 at 01:15 AM

Sam
Thanks for sharing this life truth. Whenever we break this law, we always face the consequences. Merry Christmas to all !

Posted by: Sam | December 19, 2014 at 05:48 AM

Talking from Experience
Outstanding movie that I watch every year after Thanksgiving .
Sometimes when I feel old, frustrated and betrayed like George Bailey, I have to reflect on the big difference I made .
Everything considered and staying focus on what we do best, , we can all choose to have a Wonderful life.
My Merry Xmas & Happy New Year to you & family . Best Wishes for 2015 !
Posted by: Talking from Experience | December 19, 2014 at 09:30 AM

Give give promoter
simple, painless, inexpensive and 100% guaranteed solution to get rid of all, let me repeat ALL, the miseries of the world that we see is to change from "take-take philosophy" which is prevalent among almost all of us to "give-give philosophy" which is practiced by a very few noble souls. If this wisdom is understood and accepted as a day to day, working attitude by people across the world, I guarantee that we will no longer desire to see paradise - we will be already living in it!!

Posted by: Give give promoter | December 29, 2014 at 11:17 PM