What I Learned from a Movie

Troy and I got to go on a date last night. It was the first time in a while that we got to go out, just the two of us. We went to the movies to see Catching Fire since Troy hasn't seen it yet. But they sold out. We looked at what else was playing, and decided to see Mandela.

What I didn't see

I don't know a lot about him. I read the rugby book Invictus, and to be honest I can't remember a whole bunch. But the movie was powerful none the less. There were two big lessons I took from his life.

1. Fight for what you believe in...peacefully.

Today we just go with the flow. I've caught myself doing it. We just accept what is in front of us and try to work around it or with it. But why not try to change it?
Why not attend a (peaceful) rally for something you believe in? 
I've attended a few rallies for something I believe in.  One was to educate women on their options for birth, the second was to remove the term "mentally retarded." Two things I feel strongly about. Both of these rallies were quiet. But we were heard.
In the movie when Medela was sent to jail he told his friends "we are going to make the guards respect us." Everyone was confused how this was going to happen. He simply stated "we are going to ask them for pants." They had been given shorts. Through this simple request that he quietly yet repeatedly put in. They got their pants... And the respect of the guards.



2. Never give up.

"The more they oppress us the harder we fight."- Winnie Mendela.
Nelson Mendela served 27 years in prison. Then he became the President of South Africa. Never give up. It may seem like the harder you fight the worse it gets. But if it's something you truly believe in, and believe is best for you, your family, neighbor hood, etc. I bet you might be surprised on the outcome.
If life seems like it's thrown you a crappy hand. Do what you can to make it happen. I did not plan on having any children til I was done with school. When I found out I was pregnant I thought about quitting. "How can do I do it all?" is what I kept asking myself.... And I still ask myself. But I've been able to push through. I continue to go to school and do well. I will never give up.

Stuck on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving I got to spend in Arizona with my husbands family and it was great! We didn't do a lot but just spending time with them was great. We stayed with his Grandma Mary. I love her. Her and I are two peas in a pod. We love to talk, boy do we love to talk! Our conversations could go on for hours.

Grandma Mary and Troy

One thing we did do was go hiking on Silly Mountain, it was actually a lot of fun. I know, the first thing to your mind is:

Silly Mountain

"Who is this imposter?... Julia doesn't hike!"

And I don't. By no means do I have a desire to go hiking every week. But once a year is good. ;)

It was my idea to go up the mountain. I didn't want go through the Arizona Botanical Gardens... How many cactus's do I need to see?!

So we started our way up. I had Kelli strapped on my back in my fancy Boba carrier (I love my Boba!) and up we went.

Kelli Loves the Boba

Now as many as you know, you can't just go straight up the hill (which in my mind is silly) but you have to walk on a diagonal. So up we went. And we were doing great! I felt good I was excited to get to the top and see the the other mountains and the city from another view.

There was some rocky points, and even a cactus slap tab in the middle of the path. And I kept pushing through

But then I saw a snake.

He was just lounging on the path. Sunbathing. Not a care in the world. Troy says he was maybe 8 inches, but I stand by he was at least 2 feet long!

And I turned around. I started yelling "Done! All done!" And started walking down. Troy kept asking "are you really going to let a little snake stop you?"
And my answer every time was a faithful "Yes!"

So we turned around and started heading back. But then we say another trail. So we started going up that one. And we made it a little over half way. Until it was almost straight up on rocks.

Troy could do it, but I was hesitant with Kelli on back. So again we turned around.

Just before the rocks

We got in the car and drove back to Grandma Mary's. I was bummed we didn't make it to the top.

But it's the journey not the destination, right?
I started thinking about my life. About the times where it seemed really rocky. And how I would sit there and think "how am I supposed to get through this?"

About the cactus's that have been in the middle of my path and I have to find a creative way to get around it.

And yes, the snakes. The snakes that have made me quit and turn around. But there is always another path to try. And when that one fails we walk on a different one with the lessons learned. And we keep trying.

And eventually, some how. We might make it to the top.