#496 a wonderful life

I was asked to write a few words in reflection about a colleague who is retiring.  When I thought about all of the student lives that he has touched and things he accomplished during his career, I wondered about the ramifications of his work.  Had one of his students gone out and started a worthwhile non-profit enterprise?  Had someone gone on to teach the student that eventually will become president?  Did his lessons shape the way another student parents his children?  Did a campus leader become a business leader and impact a community's economy?

I have often wished it were possible (without jumping off a bridge into the freezing water!) to show a "It's a Wonderful Life" view of other people's lives to them or to see one for myself.  I think most of us would be like George Bailey and be gratified by the ripple effect our lives have had and the impact we have made.  

There was recently a commentary about the movie by Entertainment Weekly film critic Owen Gleiberman*.  He writes:  "At the end, its official message is that George Bailey had a wonderful life because he made a difference in other people's lives.  The film's real message, however, is richer and deeper:  It's about how hard it is for all of us, like George, to see the magic of life as we're living it.  What George comes to realize is that even the things he took for granted or the things he didn't like (like that pesky banister knob that keeps coming off his stairway) are part of the the transcendent texture of the everyday."

I guess the lesson is that I should stop wishing for the movie and enjoy the live show.  Good advice for everyone!    

-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

*Life Lessons in Real Simple, October 2013, p. 68