Thursday, January 9, 2014

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. And Me.

We went to see The Secret Life of Walter Mitty last weekend, billed as a comedy, but which left me gobsmacked. The film's message, if you want to call it that, has been rolling around my brain all week long, and I need to write it down in order to make sense of it.

I hadn't heard a lot about the movie prior to seeing it, but my daughter said she'd heard it was funny, plus I like Ben Stiller, so whatever. The film started out a little 'campy' and I thought eh, not my thing, but very quickly, as the story began unfolding and the tone shifting, I found myself caught up inside Walter Mitty's head.

It looks an awful lot like the inside of my own head.
He's fiction by the way.

In a nutshell, Walter Mitty has these big dreams and sees himself living a brave life filled with all sorts of experiences. In the real world he works a 9-5 office job in the basement of Life Magazine.  I don't want to give away the whole movie, but suffice it to say, one thing leads to another and he finds just enough courage and inspiration to take a first step, which leads to a second, and before you know it he is becoming the person he imagined himself to be.

I want that.

Before we moved overseas I didn't do a lot of traveling or 'out of my comfort' zone stuff. Don't get me wrong, I loved my life. I absolutely adored mothering daughters, and found the paid work I was doing supremely satisfying. But then we moved. Life shifted. And in the process, I shifted.  Living in another country opened up a whole world of opportunity I vaguely knew was out there, but didn't think a whole lot about because I was living my happy comfortable life. Nothing wrong with that, but once the lid on a box has been lifted it's hard to cram it back down.

When you're living an ocean away from what you've always known, and you're traveling a lot, experiencing new things on an almost daily basis, interacting with all sorts of people, pushing yourself to do things that are outside the realm of what you ever thought you'd be comfortable or capable of doing, it changes you.  And one of the ways it changed me was it made me a little bit brave.

I've always been what we call in our family 'fraidy scared' of so many things in life. Not just stuff that might fall under the category of adventure, but also things like dealing with uncomfortable situations, speaking up, anything that might be dubbed remotely confrontational.

I've never been a person who dives head first in to new things. I've always been thoughtful, and I like to consider all the possible 'what might go wrong' scenarios in my head, before gingerly putting my big toe in the water. My husband learned early on in our married life that when something takes me out of my comfort zone, I'm gonna be needing a pep talk. Even then it's likely I'll still have to be grabbed by the hand and pulled along much of the time. Or pushed, depending on what we're talking about.

I've always been a confident person in terms of what I believe, my ability to parent, my work, etc but in terms of stepping outside those areas? Not so much. Six years in another country though, built my confidence, made me not only less fearful of new, but actually found me loving it.

Insert a shift back to this side of the pond. A few years go by, and here I am, back in my comfort zone, living life with the familiar, and I think I've forgotten how to be brave. Forgotten that I am brave.  

As I watched the movie I kept thinking about how God works in mysterious ways. It was only a day or two earlier I'd written here about my word for this year. How it was a word that chose me, and in all honesty I was still sort of questioning the wisdom of choosing that particular word.  As I sat in that theatre it felt like my word was everywhere.  Unafraid.  That word, my word, was woven through the film in a way I couldn't miss. It might as well have been painted across the screen.

We're less than two weeks into 2014, but I've already been out of my comfort zone in dealing with some things I've committed to this year.  Then there's this-hubs and I will celebrate 30 years of marriage in June. We know we want to take a trip somewhere, but haven't been able to pin down the destination, mostly because he wants exotic and I want safe. He wants far and I want familiar.  He wants large and I want comfortable.

As soon as the movie ended I looked at hubs and said "I can do exotic...far...large."
Thanks Walter Mitty for the inspiration.

Most of all, I'm thankful for a Heavenly Father who knows me better than I know myself. Who wants more for me than I can ask or imagine. Who puts people and opportunity and situations in my path, and courage and conviction in my heart.

Who created a big-small, wide, wonderful, sometimes scary world, and wants me out there in it. Who walks beside the fearful and says be brave.

26 comments:

  1. Thanks for being brave. And for sharing this. I pray that each of us has the opportunity to step forward and be brave in the year ahead. And wherever that step may take us, I am thankful that we have a big God to guide us along the way.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a wonderful testimony. You and I have something in common...one on one I will talk your ears off, but dont put me in front of a crowd...I panic. I love learning and so I gathered all the strength I could, and at the age of 70, I took a 2 year college course and passed!!! Unafraid is a good word for me too...hope I can master it this new year...you too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I can't wait to hear all about your brave new adventures!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I found myself saying "yes" as I read your post. I want to step out in faith, trusting God, knowing His plan is perfect for me! You are an encouragement to me :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I enjoyed The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and I remember the original with Danny Kaye. Ben Stiller did a great job and I loved how the movie inspired you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Psst..you do know that the current movie is a remake of an old one, right (lol). You and Vee have really hit on something today..something I have been struggling with..thank you..Blessings

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes...they are based on a short story. I wasn't born when the first one came out and never saw it. The timing on this one was just right though : )

      Delete
  7. You speak my language when you describe your 'comfort zone' life. And I know EXACTLY what you mean by stepping out of it. {sigh} I'm guessing my upcoming trip might help jump start a change. We'll see. I'm feeling the need for a change...
    This was soo soo well said. Perhaps too well.... ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Joyce, I echo what everyone else has already said! A wonderful, insightful post that seems to have us all thinking about being more unafraid!! Thank you for sharing!! I can't wait to hear about your anniversary plans, now! Joe and I have 29 this year, so doing something 'different' for our 30th sounds like something to look forward to!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Okay. I think I might need to go see that movie too. I don't much like to get out of comfort zone either. But like you, I know i need to trust God and just follow His leading, comfortable or not.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a lovely post Joyce, but then, all of your are..........I just told Hubby this morning that we needed to go see this, this weekend. I so need to get out of my comfort zone and the Lord is at work in that area for sure. Can't wait to hear where the anniversary trip takes you. Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Can't wait to hear what you guys decide for your exotic-far-large adventure! And you can do it because you're a Camp Sandy Cove girl and because God will meet you every step of the way!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Can' wait to hear what you guys choose for your exotic-far-large adventure and anniversary celebration! And you can do it because you're a Camp Sandy Cove girl and God will meet you every step of the way!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh mom. I've been experiencing the same feelings lately being back in the states the past years- slowly feeling like I'm losing my nerve and all the courage I found in England. But you and I both know 2014 is going to be filled with adventures so I'm ready to rediscover that side again with you!

    ReplyDelete
  14. What an inspiration! I wonder how many times we are admonished in the Bible to fear not, fret not, be not afraid. And yet, this seems to direct our lives so many times, doesn't it. I had not even heard of the movie, but now think it might be a must-see for the weekend. I can't wait to hear what Hubby has in store for your special trip. Thanks again for being so honest and not afraid to share with others. We need your inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I haven't seen the movie but I know a couple of people who had similar reactions to yours. My bet is on you to meet whatever comes you way with confidence.

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is a great post, inspirational! You're right to push yourself out of you comfort zone now and again but always remember that your heavenly father walks with you wherever you are and there is no need to be afraid. Think of Psalm 23 - yea though I walk through the valley of death...

    ReplyDelete
  17. I saw this movie as well and had very similar feelings! You have expressed them all soo well as always. If there is one thing I have determined in my life in this last year as I God willing live out my last year in my 50's is that I WILL live my life no longer controlled by fear and comfort zones and safe and easy and expected. I want to DO all of those things while I still can. LIVE my life. I sooo get you here! Great movie huh?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Man, oh, man did you ever inspire me, Joyce...to step out, to take chances, expand my horizons, if you will! I mean, why shouldn't I? God has my back...always has, always will!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am right there with you, friend. The Lord is tapping me on the shoulder (you know, like nudging my shoulder blade as I stand on the edge of a cliff!) and is saying, "I'm with you. Go!"

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love this post and was also inspired by Walter and his world. You are more courageous than you give yourself credit for. Courage doesn't have to show up in grand ways. It is there every day, in all we do. And sometimes being small and quiet takes the most courage of all. You have done small and grand and will do both again and again, courageously and unafraid!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I can be in the "fraidy scared" category sometimes too. I think my stage of life has me thinking about things differently. Being a mom has been my greatest joy but I find myself wondering what comes next. That requires a little bravery! Love your thoughts!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Don't you just love it when the Lord shoves you in the right direction? He has been doing that to me for the last few years, and I think I finally get it. Be brave, tackle life head on, and enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a wonderful blog. I love reading what you have put in words that would be hard for me to express. I'm a lot like you. I stay in my comfort zone, more out of necessity than lack of courage. I've always been an impulsive person, loved doing new things on a whim, but Hubby isn't. So I've changed too and here I sit.
    I thought I would like to see that movie from the first time I saw the previews, but wasn't sure. Thanks to your thoughts and review, I'm now sure -- I want to see it. Hope you have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh my, I needed this! I confess that I'm entirely too comfortable just staying in my comfort zone. Perhaps I can be inspired by you to venture out from that comfort zone a little. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh Joyce We are kindred hearts! God is stirring my heart as well to step away from the ordinary snd step out on the water with Him! I am excited to see how God reveals new passions and brave new adventures for you and I alike, as we trust that our Father knows Best! Blessings2you!
    @ngie
    P.S. Here's my reflection of Walter Mitty-n-Me
    http://mymessymuse.blogspot.com/2014/01/walter-mitty-n-me.html

    ReplyDelete