I watched this movie the other day, and it got to me on so many different levels. This movie is about an average, hometown guy who finds himself with some incredible powers and insights. I won't spoil the ending by telling you all of what happens to him, but I will say that this movie resonates with me quite a bit for 2 reasons.
The first reason is because I sometimes feel like I'm an alien with powers that don't make much sense to me or those around me. Now I've never moved a pen with my mind nor have I read 4 books in a day, but I do tend to be sensitive to or aware of things (some of which I'd prefer not to). And I suspect that everyone of us has that thing within us that we feel sets us apart or makes us a bit strange. We may have certain insights or gifts or things that are part of who we are (without even trying) that can sometimes catch people off guard. In some cases, like in the movie, they can bring us isolation or ridicule, and this is a scary thing. This can sometimes cause us to try to hide those things about ourselves to fit and not be rejected (I'll be the first to admit that I've been guilty). But you were created to be uniquely, awesomely, FULLY you. As Marianne Williamson so famously said, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." You have no right to hold back for fear of other people. God has gifted you, and you must love God and yourself enough to be fully present and fully you.
The second reason is because of the love story. From the beginning of the movie, he has been in love with this woman and is trying to get with her. Initially, she resists, because she's afraid of being hurt and of complications in her life, especially because she has her kids to consider. Even though she has some feelings for him, she resists, and she is even given reason to justify her resistance when she finds out he lied. Yet, he reaches out to her in friendship and begins to open up a bit. Then one day after he's been essentially rejected by everyone, she goes to visit him. She sees the state he's in - unshaven, looking crazy - and she has compassion on him. She washes his hair and shaves him, and this is the beginning of their love affair. Even though she doesn't fully understand (and even when she does), she supports him, giving him the love that others are afraid to. This got to me, because it reminds me that even Superman needs love. No matter our intelligence, bank balance, status, education, or any of those other things, all everyone of us really want is someone who will look at us in all of our crazy, quirky, uniqueness and love us just as we are.
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