"All you need is love"

Sometimes I just have these moments where my head is so full of thoughts that I can hardley put them to words, and when I do finally get them written down they don't even make sense because they are so jumbled together. I'm having one of those moments right now. I've written the first sentence to my blog at least 10 ten times. Earlier today I wrote down a portion of what i wanted to say and when I finally stopped to take an overall look at it I realized it was long enough to be an entire novel. I guess you just have to understand that I have a constant flow of thoughts and ideas running through my head all day; most of which are forgotten because i don't get the opportunity to record them. So, though I have much more I'd like to say, I'm going to try and focus on one thing...Harold and Maude.

Tonight I watched Harold and Maude for the first time with my friends Kerri and Caroline who have both seen it before. I still remember the first time Kerri tried to explain the plot of this 1970's film to me. The idea of a 20 year old man and an 80 year old woman falling in love just didn't click for me. I just couldn't understand what would posses someone to watch a movie like that; but the minute it began playing tonight, i gained a sudden understanding.

At first glance the relationship between Harold and Maude is kind of disturbing, but as you get deeper into the movie, a whole new meaning begins to surface. For those who haven't seen the movie, you may be curious as to what I'm talking about. In this movie, Harold is a young man who spends the majority of his time attending funerals and faking his own suicide when suddenly he meets Maude, a slightly crazy old woman who, essentially, teaches him how to live.

After watching this movie I've gained a whole new perspective on life. Maude could find beauty and adventure in what seemed like the most insignificant things, like doing summer-saults in a field, or running through the grass. Though she's a little unconventional, she is full of wisdom that Harold has never seen. Maude owns a universal key that can start just about any car, and everyday she steals someone else's vehicle. When Harold questions her about this, she simply responds by telling him that people are too attatched to their possesions (such as cars) and it's good for them to realize that these things aren't permanent. In another scene, Maude notices a dying baby tree in front of a public building, so she takes it and puts it in the first car she sees and drives off to plant it in forest.

Although Maude may not be the best person to model your life after, she does teach a very important lesson. Almost everything can be turned into something good if you look at it long enough. Flowers in a field may seem identical at first glance, but when you take a closer look, it's apparent that each one is very different.

Now that I've seen this movie I just feel like going outside and soaking everything in, finding beauty in everything I see. I want to run through a field a flowers, have a picnic at a construction site, or visit a greenhouse. God has given us so many blessings, yet we choose live each day the same way, forgetting all the amazing things he's given us. Why should we stick to the same daily routine when there is so much life to live. Our time on earth is limited, so why not make the most out of it. Take a risk, forget what people are thinking about you. Live life for the small things most people take for granted. Don't be afraid to be a little different...this is my challenge.