Gilmore Girls vs. The Matrix or Don't Believe The Oracle

 

Has anyone ever told you who you are or who you are NOT? Did you believe them? It occurred to me that we are all so effected by what people say - how people label us. Of course, my inspiration for this post was after watching The Matrix again. Because all my inspirations are from movies. Wait until I watch Fletch again. :)

In the movie, Morpheus tells Neo that he is the "One" or the one to save the world. He starts to believe him even though he as no evidence to suggest he was the one. Then the Oracle tells Neo he is NOT the one. Now he believes her. Why? Because she is supposed to be the expert. She can foresee the future. It turns out (spoiler alert) he IS the "One."

Another good example of the effects of this is illustrated in the TV show, Gilmore Girls. Rory is told by Mr. Huntzberger, the big newspaper man, that she doesn't have what it takes to be a newspaper editor. She quits Yale.

So yes, my tastes run from The Matrix to Gilmore Girls, but this is not about me. It is about excellent writing - the authors of those shows, not me. My writing is crap.

Wait. I am getting off topic. People cannot define you. People cannot tell you who you are or are not. Oh they like to try, but don't let them. We are so impressionable. The words that people say have so much impact. You will all be able to recall a fight that you and your spouse, beau or family member had when the one of you said something ... horrible. You still remember it and it still hurts. Jeez! Why is this? We all know that people say stupid things in a fight, but somehow, THAT comment has gravity. It is surely a sign that the sayer of such acerbic stupidity has some deep truth that slipped out in anger. No it is not!

So this is not a rant. This is a blog about love. Watch me turn this around. So we know that people are impressionable. They believe anything. Lets use this to our advantage. Start by telling people, especially your kids, that they are geniuses. Tell them that they are most likely to be the next Steve Jobs. Encourage everyone you meet that they are amazing. They just might believe you and it is better than the contrary. There is a fallacy that some will tell you. That they are doing you a favor - saving you from a life of misery, when they tell you that you suck. You will be miserable for years with that conversation running through your brain. You see, NOT saved. It is love to encourage. It is love to tell people that they are good at something.

One short anecdote. Someone at Genevieve's school told her she was a natural at swinging a baseball bat. She came home asked for a ball and bat and now, we practice baseball. Well, not NOW, it is winter. Actually she might go out and play if I ... Genevieve! Play ball!