Another favorite from Season One. This post is a type of movie review, GBT style. No, it’s less of a movie review, and more of my random mental ramblings recorded for you to see. I did enjoy the movie. I’m looking forward to hearing your input. stay tailored -er-
17 THINGS I LEARNED WATCHING “THE SOLOIST” (S:1)
Let’s see if we are on the same page. Do you watch movies and come away with points and thoughts that the movie wasn’t even trying to bring out? For instance, if you’ve seen “Dance With Me,” with Vanessa Williams, did you mourn for a deeper relationship with God while she was dancing with Chayenne during the final ballroom scene? No? Oh, so you’re probably going to leave me hanging with this list of 17 things I learned while I watched “The Soloist” a few weeks ago. Great movie by the way.
Just a little warning before you get started, this list is in stream of consciousness according to the flow of the movie. I think we may be more alike than you think.
The 17 Things I Learned From the Soloist
1. I need to get a tape recorder: most artists, whether singers, sculpters, writers, etc, will tell you that a key tool for your craft is a notebook by the side of your bed, in your pocket or a mini-recorder. Robert Downey Jr’s character carried one with him and constantly talked to himself in it.
2. Give my writing all I got: I mean, really, shouldn’t I have been doing that already? This is why God’s Bespoke Tailoring is going to have quality doggonit!
3. Everyone has a story to tell; God has given me the gift to tell them: Essentially He has. You have the gift to tell yours, also. Maybe not in iambic pentameter as some can do, and maybe not in a chart topping rap song using autotune, but, you can tell it. Use the gift He’s given you even if that means telling a friend that you feel is more gifted. Just get it out!
4. I Like Myself: this movie was not about masturbation at all; in any sense of the word.
5. I Like Myself: Positive affirmation really does work. I have to use it sometimes, quite often actually, against the Devil when he continues to ride my case about my homosexual wiring. “Dude, I’m not gay! I’m complete in Christ. A new creature. The flesh and all its lust has been stripped away by the death of Christ and I’m resurrected to a new life in Him.” Ha! I just got geeked typing that.
6. I Like Myself: Being sure of yourself, your talents, your personality, your worth, is considered self-awareness. Sin is a disease and it doesn’t make you. God does. So, be a little confident and enjoy who you are because you were fearfully and wonderfully made. Once I accepted that then I was able to allow God to show me the things that needed to go (like my occasional meanness).
7. A good way to remember people’s names is to repeat it, spell it, then repeat it again: I’m just saying it’s worth a try for those of use that have a hard time remembering someone’s name 10 seconds after we’re told. I know my problem is sometimes I just don’t care (see #6), but that shouldn’t be a reason to forget a name. If it wasn’t important then people wouldn’t tell us.
Did We Watch the Same Movie?
8. People don’t need another person telling them they need the LORD: By now you’re wondering if “The Soloist” was a Christian movie, or even a faith-based movie. The answer is “No” to both questions. Maybe you’re wondering if I even saw “The Soloist.” Yes, I did, smarty pants. I told you I get different things than what the movie is trying to give. Just think about #8 for a moment. Do you need someone else telling you that you need Jesus? Or do you need to see someone with Jesus living inside of them? Or do you need to see someone living a life like they are a friend of God? {glasses clink} Here! Here!
9. Good musicians see colors when they hear music: I don’t know how that pans over to writers. Am I a good writer if I see words and visuals when people speak or are reading things to me? Or is that just classified as daydreaming?
10. It’s hard for me to be friends with people without expecting something from them: Bottom line…I’m selfish. Shocking? Maybe. And I’m not speaking of expectations like a guy that takes a girl to Taco Bell and expects a BJ in return. And neither am I speaking of a girl that puts out expecting a diamond studded choker for her services. Not at all. I expect from a friend certain graces, considerations, respect, and gratitude. As of late, I’m beginning to see that sometimes I shouldn’t expect that because some people just can’t give it. Well, at least not the way I expect it. And I’m sure the same is true for them regarding me.
11. I like the sounds of cello & violin: I thought I knew that already, but now I really know it.
12. I, as a Christian, am too focused on “saving” people instead of being a friend: Tina Turner had the children belt out, “We don’t need another hero. We don’t need to know the way home. All we want is life beyond Thunderdome.” There are a number of my friends, family, co-workers and associates that are looking for life beyond Thunderdome – the shell of a life they have made for themselves. They want a friend to see them for the jewel that they are and show them that there is life beyond.
13. I, as a friend, am too focused on befriending people instead of saving them: And even with that said, my friends still don’t need a hero. They just need me and what I have to offer. Jesus is the Savior.
14. Beethoven’s music is pretty hot: Am I the last to know this?
15. We don’t like “easy” or “simple”: Maybe we don’t like those because we like to work for things; feel a sense of accomplishment. Yet, when it comes down to it, God says, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” All He asks is that we come to Him by faith (a simple thing in its complex power) humbly recognizing our need. His invitation: “Come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”
16. Most of the time I’m lame: I guess my sister has always had it right about me. Robert Downey Jr’s character realizing his lameness was a redeeming quality for him, as well.
…And Finally…
17. The Soloist needs to be added to my DVD collection in the midst of “Almost Famous,” “Finding Forrester,” Antwone Fisher,” and “Good Will Hunting” :
Enough said.
-originally posted November 24, 2009