Swing Vote

Today I watched the movie Swing Vote. If you haven't seen it - I highly recommend it.

Besides the humor, the great cast (Kevin Costner, the late/great Denis Hopper, Stanley Tucci, Kelsey Grammer and more) and the wonderful daddy/daughter moments in the movie, I really felt drawn in by the overall message.

Or should I say the overall two messages that I took away from the movie.

One - never trade in your convictions and your long term goals for a short term victory. It was pretty comical how the Democrat (Denis Hopper) was spouting pro-life support and anti-immigration in order to get Kevin Costner's character to like him. It was equally laughable to see the Republican (Kesley Grammer)running an add for gay marriage and green living. What wasn't funny was the fact that many of us out there today (me included at times - I don't sit here in judgement) toss aside our beliefs if we feel it will "win" us something in return. I don't mean we'll kill people to get the last iPad, I mean the more important, everyday stuff like respect, humility, patience.

Two - when are we going to wake up and realize that if we don't start helping people now, tomorrow we may not have a chance (yes, I understand I say this a lot in my posts - repetition is after all the mother of persuasion isn't it). A great line from that movie goes something like this, "If we are the richest country in the world, why can't so many of us afford to live here." Wow, that really hit me pretty hard today. I ask myself, what am I doing to change that? What can I do to step up my commitment to helping? How can I be more proactive?

So, for a little movie I thought would be a refreshing 2 hour break from all of my thinking, it made me think the whole way through.

If you don't have a set of values that you live by, by all means, figure them out, write them down, and share them with those important to you. Then, the next time you have to make a decision, pull them out and ask yourself if the decision will honor your stated values.

Also, if you aren't contributing to this world we live in right now, consider how you can. What talents, hobbies or interests do you have that can make a difference in the lives of those around you? If you are already doing something, consider if you feel it is enough. It may be - and if that is the case - I want to thank you. If it isn't - step up and do more. You'll be the better for it, and so will the rest of us.

And finally, if you haven't seen the movie - rent it. It was a great one to watch and I believe Denis Hopper's last.