This week, I had nothing going on in my brain to trigger a writing topic, so I did a marathon movie day. Movies take me out of my life and provide new perspectives. A movie is a story in pictures. Add emotions, and, presto, I have a path to thinking about what matters in life—what contributes to mental wellness.
The first movie was 12 Mighty Orphans, a true story about a high school football team during the Great Depression. All the boys lived in an orphanage, and the coach, Rusty Russell, was also orphaned as a child. My
takeaway was how grit and drive could win or rise above abandonment, trauma, and poverty. The closing credits showed what all 12 boys and the coach achieved after the football season. As in most good stories, challenges resulted from nasty, unkind treatment, but each boy grew from tenacity, knowing team members and the coach had his back.
The second movie was Cruella, starring Emma Stone. Other than the bizarre behavior and survival by stealing, two women found their power in being wicked. They had more friends when they were civil and kind but had more 
admirers and control when they were mean and superior. The message was multi-faceted: Power by treating people inferior works for narcissists because it feeds their insecurities — true power, on the flip-side, rights wrongs and benefits others.
The third movie was Queen Bees, a story of life in assisted living. It addressed the hard conversations needed to transition from one’s home to an apartment-type building with strangers. Pressure from family to enjoy the new living environment, dealing with mean older adults, making new friends, and falling in love were wrapped together in an entertaining story reminding me of the
importance of lifecycle connections.
Putting myself in someone else’s story while sitting in the dark watching a movie helps me keep healthy thoughts. I don’t watch violent movies, but I’ve seen enough of them to know they, too, provide a message. I don’t have to learn all my lessons the hard way — I can learn from other’s experiences. Movies provide those reminders — little nuggets I know but forget to practice.
What did I take away from my movie marathon Sunday? 1) Try hard, give my best, and never give up. 2) There is strength in teamwork. 3) Use whatever power I have for the benefit of good. 4) Rich relationships are possible during all of life. 5) Mean people invade every stage of life — confront their behavior and show superior power with kindness and competence.
What do YOU learn from movies?
Until the next time: Live while you live.
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