Slowing down is a concept, not everyone will appreciate and comprehend. Slowing down, reflecting and permitting things to happen in their own time is an option. Some live the concept while others look deep down inside them and long to be a part of it. They keep longing till they conk off. A time comes when one needs to spend some time with one’s own self.
I saw The Straight Story by David Lynch today. It reminded me and substantiated my view and outlook, that one should learn to slow down. Life can best be compared to driving. Speeding, changing lanes and jumping into the fast track is necessary in the 2nd phase of one’s life after learning how to drive in the 1st phase. Then one needs to slow down and enjoy life. This is the 3rd [& perhaps the final] phase of one’s life.
Some real memorable scenes were :
- Alvin the protagonist goes to the Doc
- Alvin enjoying a plain thunder and lightening, sitting inside his house with his daughter Rose, and later under the barn shed by the highway, sitting on top of his small tractor.
- The determination exhibited by Alvin to visit his brother when he heard that the latter had a stroke.
- The American way of lifting the hand and waving to total strangers and getting a response
- Driving the lawn mover across the US highway.
- When a cyclist asked Alvin during a night camp on what was the worst part being old – Alvin’s reply was that the worst part of being old was remembering the time when one was young. The cyclist was throwing a ball - he stopped.
- The woman getting hyper after hitting a deer with her car.
- Alvin negotiating with the twin mechanics and expressing himself as far as his relationship with his brother was concerned. The twins were flabbergasted.
- Alvin’s narration to the priest about the time he and his brothers spent during their youth and in the years growing up and how anger and vanity mixed with liquour throws up relationships.
- And finally when the brothers meet.
Note :
1st Phase of Life : You enter this earth-grow-study-enjoy childhood and youth-get some degrees and certificates-prepare for the 2nd phase of life
2nd Phase of life : You look for a job-marry-build up a career-have children-build up a house-make money-strive for fame and power-fulfill your responsibilities.
3rd Phase of Life : Do nothing - You come out of the rat race-mature-throw away your mobile-lead a life that you want to life and not what others expect you to live-spend all your time with your family-get rid of that watch-catch up on all the readings, the serious music and movies that you wanted to read, hear and see-write-travel at leisure-learn to cook, paint and/or play an instrument-patch up and hope that you don’t have to see the 4th phase of life !
cheers_
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