Encouragement Found In Unexpected Places

Mother is most comfortable when near me...like a toddler who becomes anxious when its mom is not in sight. We sometimes resort to television as a diversion,which affords proximity without merely staring at walls.One rainy day, while checking out the TV Guide channel,a children's movie was stumbled upon that I'd heard about.Curious,we began to watch and were soon delighted and entertained . It was the Dustin Hoffman/Natalie Portman movie "Mr.Magorium"s Wonder Emporium". It's a story of intertwining lives and the positive influence Dustin Hoffman's character (Mr.Magorium) has , bringing each of them to a point where restraining fears are released and they come to see and empower their potential . His character is soon to die and sets about ordering things for a smooth transition . Natalie Portman's character,a young woman with a"timid soul" is to take over the store,a magical place she feels totally ill-equipped to handle.Mr.Magorium,knowing full well that is not the case,tells her,"Your life is an occasion...rise to it ! " Funny, the birth of a baby is an occasion,like a birthday or anniversary or graduation...
The British saying of "rising to the occasion"...bringing oneself together to handle something that requires our better self...comes to mind . The movie line crystalized a coping mechanism much needed now .How easy it would be to sink into a pity party and waste away in a muddy pool of"it's not fair" and "why me ?"...Each life is given with opportunities for greatness . Not all will be public figures of note...some will rise to empower their potential, unnoticed by all but their closest friends and family. "Rising to the occasion " involves consciously putting aside the encumbering baggage,focusing on the goal and using what each has been given to accomplish the tasks at hand . It is,somehow,a much simpler way of life and one which brings much more happiness ...for you and those in your wake,as you cruise through life . Good movie !!