With the recent Boston Marathon tragedy and the extensive media coverage that followed, it would be easy to believe we live in an unsafe world. But the opposite is true. This beautiful world of ours is largely a safe place. Unfortunately, the relatively small percentage of people, who are not happy with the way things are, take it into their own hands and use violence to get their message across. Many innocents are harmed in the process. Fortunately, there are more good souls out there than not. The city of Boston and its visitors proved that by acting quickly and generously to help those in need. That’s the heart of the story.
What happened in Boston is an age-old battle between good and evil, between love and hate. It’s been going on since the dawn of man. What we saw in Boston was unbridled anger. Hatred. At what, we still don’t know. But it’s hatred nonetheless. Sigmund Freud, the eminent psychoanalyst defined hate as an ego state that wishes to destroy the source of its unhappiness.
Recently, I saw a remarkable film, I AM, that 
demonstrated how each one of us can make this world a better place. It spoke of the power of love. It also spoke of anger, and its power to divide. It was directed and written by Tom Shadyac, known for his blockbuster comedies starring Jim Carrey–Pet Detective; Liar, Liar; and Bruce Almighty. After a horrible cycling accident that shook him and his world, Tom Shadyac re-evaluated his purpose in life. This film speaks to that process, and his search for deeper meaning.
He’d been living the high life and coming to the conclusion that no matter how much bigger and more extravagant his homes became, he wasn’t any happier. It took an accident that nearly cost him his life to step back and see what changes he needed to make.
In his film I AM, he asks the big questions: What is wrong with our world? What can be done about it? Through conversations with his father–CEO of St. Jude’s Hospital in L.A., the one that treats children with cancer–and other luminaries, like David Suzuki, Desmond Tutu, and Noam Chomsky, he discovers some answers.
Tom Shadyac’s film also illustrates what we can learn from nature. How cooperative animals and plants are, how they only take what they need to survive. Drawing from science and wisdom passed down through the ages, the film shows how we are guided by our hearts more than our minds. We are interconnected through our energy, good or bad.
He also mentions the Butterfly effect. I’d heard before how the flutter of butterflies’ wings in one hemisphere can affect weather in another hemisphere. The truth of that is still being debated, but what isn’t is the fact that even the smallest energy has power. Ask anyone who is in a room with an angry person whether they feel the tension or not. Anger travels. So does love.
Every act, no matter how small, has a ripple effect. He gives an example of helping one homeless person. Though we can’t eradicate poverty, one act of kindness can make a difference. I’ m sure the people in Boston would agree.
Love or Hate, which one would you choose?
I agree with you on The butterfly effect. Whenever I am in the same room with a person who is angry, I can feel that tension travelling through the air! After all some claim that the butterfly effect can cause tsunami!
I have to catch hold of this movie, I AM.
Nina, I hope you get to see it. This movie is highly recommended. I don’t like to watch movies twice, but this is one I’m anxious to see again.
Yes. I think the remarkable thing is this – the people who ran to help, disregarding their own safety.
You’re so right, Julia. It’s astonishing how people have rushed in to help, risking their lives in the process. That’s what we need to take away from all of this.
Thank you for the info. Will catch the flick. When I was in art college as a 19 yr old, I had 2 professors in philosophy. One said, where ever you go in life, don’t become a fat cat! The other said, always remember, it is what little u do each and everyday that impacts the world. I will never forget those 2 things from those 2 instructors cos they were simple but life changing for me.
I believe this saying very much:
“You will never miss the right way if you only act according to your feelings and conscience”. Goethe.
Thanks Kim for the thoughts from your professors, also the quote from Goethe.
Powerful message, Diana.
Each time I think of heartbreaking losses–Oklahoma City, 9/11, Newtown, Boston–I close my eyes and picture the many images of people helping each other. Rushing to protect, carry, shelter complete strangers. Each is more truthful about the quality of life in our world than the original attacks. Danger is real; fear is a choice, and so is helping another person.
Beautifully put, Marylin. Though I’m distraught whenever there is senseless violence, I’m reminded almost immediately afterwards about the inherent goodness of most people.