"Green Lantern" Movie Review

Sozo (That's an inner healing/deliverance ministry I'm involved in at church) was canceled tonight, so my husband and I went to see “Green Lantern” on the spur of the moment, at the last minute. It felt really good to do something unplanned, unexpected, and unscheduled. It was what I imagine playing hookie must be like. You know...exciting, exhilarating, adventurous... But I never played hookie, so I can't know for sure.

First, let me say that I've not been a particular fan of adventure comics of the superhero variety (“Superman,” “Green Lantern,” etc.), but the movies are generally entertaining. Good versus evil. Good wins! But, of course, not without nail-bitingly tense situations requiring incredible superpowers for positive resolution.

“Green Lantern” did not disappoint me, but probably not for the reasons you might think. It wasn't the hunky star, although that certainly didn't hurt anything. It wasn't the special effects, although special effects are becoming so good that it's hard to tell fact from fiction. But I also thought that many years ago, when special effects were stupendously bad (We didn't know any better). It wasn't the plot, which was, let's face it, pretty standard superhero stuff. Nope. It was the message.

Yes, really. The message was amazing. And amazingly accurate. Fear is one of the most powerful tools of the enemy. And free will can be the weakest part of being human, especially when that free will is resident in an unfocused, undisciplined person. So easily swayed, we are. So easily distracted. So easily caught unaware. So easily choosing evil rather than doing good.

Partner with fear, and this weapon of the enemy's will destroy you. Exercise your free will to resist it, to overcome it, and you will grow stronger and less fearful. Focused and disciplined. Doesn't that sound simple? Well, it is simple. But it isn't easy. Nothing worthwhile is easy. But if you resist and keep on resisting, ah! You will be victorious.

If you see the film, be sure to stay for the credits. Hint.

A Poem Comes (Back) to Mind

I was walking down the hallway just now, thinking about how things very seldom end up the way we expect. Sometimes, that's a very good thing; other times, not so good. I guess I've just reached an introspective part of life as I sort through "opportunities for growth" (most often perceived as  "challenges") ahead.

Suddenly, the opening lines of a poem I started, but never finished, in high school popped into my mind. High school. The teenage years. You know, that time in life where you think you've lived so much. Makes you kind of want to smile wryly, eh? But let's laugh out loud together. SCOFF! SCOFF! There. Now I feel better.

I must have started it for some English class or another, having just read a terribly scandalous novel. I know this because high school is pretty much the last time I was required to write poetry, if you don't count French class in college. And this poem was obviously in English. It went like this:

"Bittersweet are memories
Of you and me
And of the trees
Beneath which we once made love."

I'm thinking this might be a good time to revive the old poetry writing skills. Or not. Just to clarify, I'm certain that the poem doesn't reference an actual person or event. Call it artistic license.

Anyway, "bittersweet." Now, that's an interesting word for a teenager to use about anything, what with the wealth of experience your average teenager has. It holds a tantalizing sense of loss and longing. It hints at a broken heart, teary eyes, a feeling of "almost, but not quite." Reaching but not attaining.

So much of my life has been about that. Reaching but not attaining, I mean. There's no bitterness or rancor involved. There's just angst. The realization that much of life is made up of fleeting moments that, once gone, will never be recaptured.

Memories. Make yours memorable. Laugh, love, give of yourself with abandon. Who knows? You might end up with some pretty good memories that you can take out and dust off occasionally, just to revive the sensations of youth. They might even be bittersweet and bring tears to your eyes. But I guarantee they'll warm your heart.

Reflections on Weddings

I love weddings. Two people, standing at the altar in front of their family and friends (or friends who ARE family, which is even better), gazing lovingly into each other's eyes, promising to love and honor and cherish. No matter what. Sickness or health, riches or poverty, better or worse. Ah, the endless hope of it all. It totally recharges the batteries of my romance-o-meter and makes me nostalgic for that time long ago when everything was new and fresh, and the bloom was still on the rose.

From this side of life, looking back, I realize that I had no idea what I was getting into. And that's a good thing, really. Imagine starting out with the knowledge of all the good things and not-so-good things coming your way. Nope. Much better to start out with stars in your eyes and hope in your heart and nothing to mar the beautiful, flower-lined, hearts-and-roses road ahead. The bumps will come soon enough, and then the commitment you made will be the glue that holds the relationship together until more good times arrive.

A lifetime of happiness is what we all sincerely wish the newlyweds will experience. A lifetime of growing closer and closer, more and more of one mind. Earnestly desiring the very best for each other, encouraging each other, loving each other. Hope springs eternal.

I must admit that as I watched your happiness and joy today, I looked at my man with fresh eyes. Starry eyes, and a bit teary, too. Yep. He's one handsome dude with devastatingly gorgeous baby blues. And I notice that my heart beats just a tiny bit faster as I remember that day long ago when we were the ones standing at the altar.

Congratulations and best wishes, you two! At the end of the road ahead, may you still gaze lovingly into each other's eyes, and may your hearts beat as one.