I vividly remember sitting in a small theater in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina with my soon-to-be-husband Thom watching Star Wars for the first time in 1977. The innovative film technology brought the classic story of good versus evil to the screen in a visually exhilarating way. That summer we sat enthralled by the movie seven times and since then at home, probably a dozen more. Fast forward to 2016. After all these years the Force has been reawakened. Not only does the new Star Wars revive pleasant recollections of all the space adventures we’ve witnessed during the last 39 years, it also reinforces timeless lessons that are now simply part of our culture. Regardless of whether you are a fan or not, and irrespective of your age, Star Wars offers, at least, five big ideas that can lead to a happy and SMART life.
#1. “May the Force be with you.” A primary directive from the Star Wars collection is that there is a Force in the universe, and it is available to us all. An aspect of every Star Wars movie, the Force mostly appears as a benevolent feature of nature, or energy, flowing through and binding everything together. It is mostly available to those receptive and open to its influence—but there appears nothing to keep any of us tapping into and using it to accomplish extraordinary things. The more sensitive a person is to it, or the “stronger” it flows within us, the more likely that person will find it either leading them to the light or the dark side. Regardless of whether each of us sees this Force as just an aspect of nature or something far more spiritual, the presence of something bigger than ourselves alone can be ultimately rewarding. Or as Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi said, “Remember, the force will be with you….always.”
#2 Each of us uses the Force for good or evil. One of my favorite folktales is the one about choosing to feed either the good wolf or the bad wolf. In a nutshell, the one we feed is the one that grows strongest. In Star Wars the Force is always strongest in those who train to first be Jedi Knights, and then those who go on to master the Force and call themselves, Jedi Master. The oldest and most honored Jedi Master was a character named Yoda. Yoda said, “…to be a Jedi is to face the truth, and choose. Give off life or darkness…. be a candle or the night.” And while having an awareness of the Force within offers us certain advantages, unless we train and practice to perfect our craft, we will likely fall toward the Dark Side like Darth Vader. As Yoda says, “If you end your training now—if you choose the quick and easy path as Vader did—you will become an agent of evil.” With great power comes great responsibility. What we feed, grows.
#3 “Do or not do, there is no try.” This timeless message isn’t new. Its delivery from a small and seemly inconsequential Yoda reminds us that wisdom often comes from hidden sources. Yoda uses this expression, and others, when teaching young Luke Skywalker how to use the Force flowing through him and exhorts him to stay focused on the present moment. Over and over Yoda teaches that fear, anger and hate are all paths to the dark side. Ultimately Yoda proves that size does not matter and that it is essential we believe we can, or, “That is why you fail.”
#4 Help always shows up in unexpected ways. One thing I have always appreciated about the Star Wars movies is that no matter how dismal things appear, help usually arrives in ways you least expect. The lovable scoundrel Han Solo does it again in the latest episode. Plus, the current Jedi Rey is saved several times by the unlikely hero Finn. While not everything turns out perfectly, and yes there is sadness, the overall theme of Star Wars is that the Force continues and that there is always hope for the future. Yoda yet again offers words of wisdom with, ““Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not. Attachment leads to jealously. The shadow of greed, that is.”
#5 Age, color or gender doesn’t matter when it comes to saving the Galaxy. While the first Star Wars movie made it clear that the Jedi Masters were wise elders like Yoda and Obi-Wan, the current Star Wars makes it clear that women, men, and even unexplainable species are essential at any age. The deciding factor is always the direction of the Force within and the willingness to be of service
The reviews for this latest Star Wars movie have been only marginally positive. Of course, as time goes by it becomes harder and harder to impress us with action sequences. And movie story lines usually take a back seat to technology these days. But a young boy of seven named Jack lives across the street from me. Jack has already seen the new movie twice since it’s release. Plus, according to his mother he’s seen the original Star Wars on DVD at least 50 times. So, regardless of whether I or other critics think the latest Star Wars movie is better or worse than the first, what matters is that young Jack and others like him are hearing the wisdom of Jedi Masters. I’m betting that the Force is “strong” in Jack, and like us all, hoping he will be guided to choose the light over the dark. That is a timeless and SMART message we can all use every day.
Loved the first three, pretty much ignored the 2nd 3, loved the new one (except for [spoiler deleted]).
The first Star Wars is I think the first movie I specifically remembered going to see. My folks were not big moviegoers and I think I was in 5th grade. We were temporarily in Vallejo, California, and we went to a theater called Cine 21, and being a kid from Hawaii, where you pronounce all the syllables, I remember asked what “ky-nee” meant. My folks cleared that up for me and then we saw the movie. The hugeness of that first big spaceship that flies over…wow! so cool!
Here is something fun – the original NY Times review of Star Wars. Before it became part of our culture. My favorite line: “hand-to-hand combat with what appear to be lethal neon swords.” Wow. It’s so hard to imaging NOT knowing what a light saber was nowadays!
http://www.nytimes.com/1977/05/26/movies/moviesspecial/26STAR.html?_r=0
Hi Bonnie! I agree that the middle 3 were just okay…and never did see the animated one. But the new one ties in with so many memories for most of us that it was definitely important to see. As you say, it was so novel at the time that I think memories associated with it are often very strong–it sure was for me! And yes, isn’t it amazing how so much of the movie is now just part of our world? Thanks for sharing the article! ~Kathy
I saw the Star Wars film in 1977 but honestly? I don’t remember much of it and I don’t have a real desire to see the sequel. That said, after reading your piece I am definitely going to watch it again with new eyes. Mature eyes, wiser eyes and spiritual eyes. I want to look at it through the lens you wrote about here. Your gift, Kathy, is how you can take something as ordinary as a movie and see meanings beyond what the original writers (probably) originally thought when they wrote the diaglogue. That is your brilliance.
Hi Cathy! I know not everyone is into Syfy as much as Thom and I, but I couldn’t help picking out a few gems from this one. And yes, it is a compulsion I’m afraid to find nuggets of gold wherever I can 🙂 In the scheme of things I guess it is a good habit to have. And if I can encourage others to see things in a different and more helpful way then I’m doing my job. Thanks for saying so! ~Kathy
Sorry, but I have to say that I really object to the “Do, or do not. There is no try.”
You will never know whether you can do a thing unless you try. The power of positive thinking aside, no one is going to succeed at everything they try in life. To suggest that having tried and failed is no different from not having tried at all is not in my view a very positive message. It takes away any credit for having made the effort. Why try, then, if there’s a possibility you might fail?
I say Yoda was wrong. There is a valid and valuable thing called “try.” Please don’t take that away from us, and may the Force with your efforts, always.
Hi Carol! Very good point. I agree that we should never stop putting out any effort that gets us closer to where we want to be. But do you remember when Yoda was saying that to Luke Skywalker? Luke was whining that it was impossible to do something Yoda asked. Yoda had been training Luke to face the biggest obstacle of his life (fighting Darth Vader) in battle and if he couldn’t manage to use the Force he would either die or be converted to the Dark Side himself. Yoda knew that Luke could do it, but Luke didn’t. That phrase was a good reminder that much of the time the only thing holding us back is ourselves. And let’s face it, sometimes when we say we’ll “try” we are only offering an excuse to get someone from pushing us to our limit. While we all have different motivational styles and some of us do well with constant encouragement, others need a swift kick to the butt–especially when it will or won’t keep us alive. Knowing the difference is something we all need to do. But thank you for raising the question because I’m sure others have it as well. And yes, the Force is with us both–always! ~Kathy
After calming down and thinking about this – Of course we can hold ourselves back by not believing we can do something. And that is Luke’s problem here, not that he just doesn’t want to put in the hard work to do something that he ought to know he can do. No one should be shamed or blamed for not being able to believe something that he or she finds unconvincing. Luke’s whole life experience would have led him naturally to the conclusion that lifting a spaceship with his mind was impossible. Yoda, on the other hand, we find out later was presumably raised from an early age among a community of Force-users. To him it may be obvious, but to Luke it’s not, and Yoda is not being a good teacher in that scene because he fails to approach Luke from Luke’s perspective. Yoda should be trying to convince Luke that it is possible by giving him evidence that will be meaningful to Luke. Lifting the ship as a demonstration was useful evidence. Yoda’s belief that Luke can do it should also be evidence, but it only comes through as a subtext to Yoda’s contemptuous dismissal of Luke’s sincere effort and frustration – and of Luke’s very understandable lack of belief. Yoda would have done much better to sit down with Luke and say, “I can see why you have trouble believing this, but I’ve taught dozens of students in my nine hundred years, and all of them who had as much talent as I can see in you were able to do this. I’m sure you can do it, too.” Obiwan was a better teacher for Luke than Yoda was because Obiwan seemed able to relate better to Luke’s perceptions and experiences.
Hi Carol! Interesting discussion. I think the evidence that Yoda was the right teacher with the right approach is obvious because it worked. Luke did become the Jedi Knight that Yoda and all of them hoped he would be. While you or I might not like his methods–they did work. Is there a kinder or more gentle approach? Yes. But while I personally like the “kinder” approach I have never had someone train me or teach me to keep me alive. When your life depends on you “believing” that you can do something, then a much stricter approach may be called for. While you might feel that Yoda was contemptuous and dismissive of Luke’s efforts, that ignores the heartache he and all the master’s suffered by losing the prize pupil Anakin to the Dark Side. And now that I think about it…wasn’t Anakin’s (Darth Vader) primary teacher Obiwan? That doesn’t bode well for his style. Ultimately though, I think it shows that we are all different and that different things under different circumstances are appropriate. ~Kathy
I love what you did with this piece! When I saw the first movie as a kid, these nuggets were lost on me, but it all makes perfect sense now!
Hi Laura! You’re welcome. I think you must be younger than me if you saw it first as a kid. 🙂 And I’ve actually morphed a few of the movies (and their quotes) together to come up with my take-aways. But I do appreciate the mythology of the series in a big way and am glad to see them unfold in this way. ~Kathy
I saw the first Star Wars movie at the drive in cinema with an old boyfriend. It wasn’t until I saw how little the new one differs from it in special effects that I’ve come to realize how ahead of its time the original one was. I loved the lessons you took away from it – especially that we aren’t the be-all and end-all of everything – there are bigger forces at work!
Hi Leanne! I think most people our age that saw that first movie have “memories” that return when we see the new one. I’ll bet you haven’t thought about that old boyfriend OR a drive in cinema in a while! I vastly preferred a new movie rather than a “remake” of the original. And it was fun to see some of the older characters as their current age too. Good for the writers and producers by realizing that we would LIKE to see that and keeping it that way. Thanks for letting me know you liked it! ~Kathy
Loved it, and timely post!, Kathy. Excellent lessons for all of us!
Hi Terri! ARe you a Star Wars fan? I know several people who aren’t into Syfi at all. But we’ve always loved it and enjoy the best of them.~Kathy
Some great lessons! Terrific piece Kathy. I wish more people would pick up on those lessons.
Hi Rena! Thank you. I’ll bet you’ve noticed I have a “habit” of looking at a lot of things and doing my best to focus on the positive take-aways. Like most of us bloggers, I write the things that I most want to learn or at least remember. ~Kathy
Yes we saw and enjoyed the movie. Great ways to look at this subject. ” Each of us uses the Force for good or evil…Yoda yet again offers words of wisdom with, “Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force.”
Hi Gary! Yes don’t you love that Yoda quote about death? I think if we really and truly embraced that 100% then all fear or worry about death would disappear and we would never be sad when someone we love passes on. Am I there yet myself? I’m happy to say I’m much, much closer than I used to be but I know that there is still work to be done. May the Force be with us both! ~Kathy
I like the parallels you make. I have not seen the movie yet. I am more of a Harrison Ford fan than a Star Wars fan. I know that is heresy in some circles but there you have it!
Hi Haralee! Well you’ll be happy to know that Harrison Ford is “classic” in this movie as well. If you can handle the action I think you’ll enjoy the movie. ~Kathy
If you liked Episode IV (from 1977), you’ll like this version, IMO. Original? Meh, not so much. But still fun.
Hi Beverly! You’re right. If you liked the original then you’ll probably like this one too. Thom and I have always been big syfi and supernatural fans so we found that first one so many years ago, amazing. And if you liked that first one–you CAN’T miss this one! ~Kathy
We haven’t see the new Star Wars yet but plan to soon (probably one of the few this year that we’ll actually see in a theater). I also love the messages the prior movies held and look forward to reuniting with my old friends – and meeting some new ones – in this installment. May the force be with you, Kathy!
We are actually at Hollywood studios right now at the Star Wars funny that I saw the article. Enjoyed reading it
Hi Charles! Synchronicity for sure. Enjoy the day and say “Hi!” to Yoda for us! ~Kathy
Lovely! I personally LOVED the movie.
Hi Jody! Yes it was a good movie and wonderful to see so many of the old characters still saving the galaxy! Did you have any take-aways you want to share with us???? ~Kathy
So very true, Kathy. Thank you for this post. It’s very reinforcing, happy and wise.
Hi Lynn! Thank you. I make an effort to make all my posts as happy as possible — and as wise as I can. ~Kathy