The Good Lie

"We all know that art is not truth.  Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth, at least the truth that is given to us to understand."

~Pablo Picasso

Erin Sullivan: "Having all read Huckleberry Finn, can anyone tell me what the good lie means?"
Female Student: "Huck uses lies to survive in undesirable situations."
Erin Sullivan: "Exactly. But later in the book, the lies change. How so?"
Mamere: "They change because Huck changes."
Erin Sullivan: "Yes, keep going."
Mamere: "When he tells the slave hunters that he has no slaves, his lie is credible so he lies well but what is more important is that it's an unselfish lie because it saves Jim. Jim's freedom means more to Huck than the money he would get from turning him in. So it is a good lie."

~From the movie The Good Lie

You know how sometimes it seems that you find a theme, a common thread, that runs through your life and you wonder if the universe, or God, is trying to tell you something?  I had one of those experiences this weekend and it had to do with lies.

I had the opportunity to watch the movie The Good Lie, which, by the way, every human being should watch, and I was struck by a conversation the characters had in the movie.  You can read the above quote and know which one I am referring to.  The idea of a "good lie" struck me as an oxymoron of sorts...is it ever a good thing to lie, even when it seems that it may be the best choice?  It seems there are circumstances when lying would be acceptable, although I think it is quite a risky tightrope, slippery slope, as it were, to walk.  I suppose I would be willing to lie my butt off if it were to save the life of another.

Later that day, I was finishing the book The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks when I came across the above quote by Pablo Picasso.  It jumped out at me because it too was about a lie.  It got me thinking. I am not sure that I agree that art is a lie per say...I believe art is a visual representation of something the artist is feeling or thinking.  Is that a lie?  Not in my opinion, but then again, I am no Piccaso either.  :)

This piece was inspired by the movie The Good Lie, in honor of all the Sudanese "Lost Boys", that were separated from their families and villages during the Civil War in Sudan.  Many of them, tens of thousands I believe, immigrated to the United States in 2000 after having to walk thousands of miles across Africa to seek safety in refugee camps and then staying in the camps for years and years.  It is a heartbreaking movie as well as an uplifting one.  Everyone should see it.  In contrast, the Nicholas Sparks book was not so great.  It was easy to read, but it was predictable and disconnected, in my opinion.  I feel like that author is now a Hollywood sellout and writes to "make movies" instead of concentrating on good story telling.  So, don't waste your time on the book...go see the movie coming out on April 10th instead...it's quicker.

Have a wonderful Monday, y'all!

The Sacrifice of War

As I mentioned before, I have been catching up on many movies during this "down time"

I am having with Lyme Disease.

Last night I watched the movie "Lone Survivor" with my husband and teens

(the twins were in bed, of course, I would not let them watch this).

I don't even have words on how this movie affected me.

It moved me and tore my insides apart on many levels.

It is mind boggling to me how brave these men are and how simply they are 

willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for us, our country, and each other.

I was also blown away by the Afghan village who ultimately saved 

Marcus Luttrell and returned him to the Americans for rescue.

There were many times throughout the movie when I wanted 

to get up and leave the room because I have trouble watching 

the blood and gore associated with this type of movie,

but I stayed because I believe EVERY American should see this movie,

especially teens who sometimes have a false sense of war

through video games and other glorified movies.

War is not a game.

So, today, I am thankful for all the men and women,

past and present who are brave enough to fight for our beliefs and freedoms.

I am awed by each one of you.

Thank you.

This image is from my 2009 archives,

taken during a visit to the D-Day Memorial in Virginia.

If you read my blog way back then, you might remember this image 

was originally posted on a Veterans Day post.

xo

"There's a storm inside of us. I've heard many team guys speak of this. A burning. A river. A drive. An unrelenting desire to push yourself harder and further than anyone could think possible. Pushing ourselves into those cold, dark corners, where the bad things live. Where the bad things fight. We wanted that fight at the highest volume. A loud fight. The loudest, coldest, darkest, most unpleasant of the unpleasant fights."

~Marcus Luttrell