Saturday, July 4, 2020

Podcast S1 E5- Stamping Lives

Hi Welcome to Lost in Labyrinth. It's my pleasure to have you here!

I am a huge movie buff and can watch them back to back at a stretch! That has however changed bringing up 2 small children, and sometimes I wish to go back to those days of being an absolute couch potato!! But that's not why I am here. I am here to talk about a gem I stumbled upon a few months back. Good Will Hunting starring Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck. For all of those who missed out on watching this 1997 classic, I will lay it out briefly for you.

The class struggle is at the film's core.This well crafted film pieces psychological symmetries but in the just plain messiness of its humanity- that rings of life! Will, played by Matt Damon, who grew up as an abused foster child in tough South Boston, works as a janitor at MIT. He solves a complicated maths problem that stumped the students and professor alike. Upon searching,   the professor,played by Stellan Skarsgard, finds this person in jail for hitting a policeman. It doesn't take the prof long to realize,Will- this head strong, working class genius was failing the lessons of life.The professor gets him off and promises he'll work with Will and get him the psychiatric help. When Will manages to scare off  a string of therapist, the prof seeks out to his estranged friend from college, Sean, played by Robin Williams- who by the way won his only Oscar for portraying this role! Without giving much away, the psychiatrist forced him to deal with his past and Will discovers the only thing holding him back is himself! 

Narrating this film brings us to the topic today, the underlying theme- Life & Influences-something that makes or mars our existence.

I come from the family of educationalists. The more I sit to review my actions, I more I realize how subtle were the influences that shaped my personality!  Every single person is affected by 3 kinds of influences in their life:

Input- What you feed your mind
This is discretionary. Invest your time wisely, choose the medium you connect with the most and extract the best out of it- be it books, cinema, travel, experiences! Whatever lights your candle!

Associates- People who you spend your time with
While our family is the immediate sphere of influence we are brought up in. As we grow older, it is for us to decide what company we keep! Never underestimate the influence people have that you have allowed in your life. Most of the habits- good or bad have been picked from these people. So be discerning!

Environment- Your surrounding
Be selective about what your external influences are. Like other factors you can equally contribute into making your environment opportune. 

Our multi-dimensional persona is affected by everything we see, hear, read, smell, touch, feel or say!

As a parent, now, I am endowed with the huge responsibility of setting a proper example for my children. I can clearly see how that has influenced my choices in every aspect of life. Afterall children understand with eyes more than with ears.They imitate and internalize the behavior, the environment they are subjected to.

Additionally, try and influence your childrens' exposure to experiences, things, ideas and beliefs which will have far reaching impact on them in future. Give it a thought before handing kids with books,a fancy tablet or allowing them to watch a cartoon/movie. Sit and engage with them!! Last year at one of the press conferences when Twinkle Khanna spoke against handing girls with princess books, where they are some damsel in distress and need a prince to rescue them- it resonated deeply!! As a new age mother I want to influence my daughter into thinking that she is, and will be self sufficient among other things.

So today I dedicate this post to all the parents, teachers, mentors, friends, families and neighbors. Thanks for enriching our lives, sometimes knowingly and sometimes without! And hoping that may we become as instrumental in shaping the lives associated with us to the best of our capacity! May we continue to receive and impart, one that begets the other- a profound stamp!!

As someone rightly put, 

The teaching of one virtuous person can influence many;
That which has been learned well by one generation
Can be passed on to a hundred.

Untill the next Friday , good bye!







 

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