I have always enjoyed watching significant movies more than once. The Godfather, The Freshman, Groundhog Day…but then there are the more serious ones; The Passion of the Christ, The Grey, American Sniper and of course Lone Survivor. As I sat down to watch this movie for at least the fourth time, I got a text from a friend asking what I was up to and after I told them, she responded, “…bet you see it in a new way” which I hadn’t really even considered until she said that. I always enjoy finding new things in movies when I watch them over and over. But even as the movie began, I thought to myself “nah, I pretty much got everything from this movie…I doubt I will see anything I hadn’t taken note of before.”
Boy was I wrong.
Curious thing is, it wasn’t until the final credits that it hit me. As the names of the principle characters began to show along with the real life photos of the guys from the SEAL team, I was hit with: “who would have ever thought…?”
The images of the men were in their civilian lives, mostly with family and smiling amidst good times. As I watched their images pulse, I was struck with knowing, after having just watched the movie, what they had actually endured, the limits they were pushed to, and the sacrifices they made. No, this wasn’t a case of “look out for number one” or just raw survival. These guys were putting it ALL on the line. For their country, for freedom and for their brothers in arms. In the middle of a huge fight, despite being shot, bodies broken, and facing insurmountable odds, they kept going. But as I looked at their pictures during the credits, their bravery, dedication and resolve was buried somewhere behind their kind smiling eyes. Adoration of their wives and love of their kids. Truly – who would have ever thought?
I think we all question, at one point or another, what our own personal ‘limits’ are….how far could we go? If you were stranded in the desert, could you hack off your own arm in order to live? If you were shot several times, would you have the sheer determination and fortitude to continue…to survive…to live? The movie began with actual footage of SEAL candidates pushing themselves through boot camp and many very difficult situations. Even at that stage, some couldn’t make it and rang the bell to signal their surrender to the limits of their emotional and mental testing. But the men in this movie had made it through that training and much more…and they were in the middle of a fight which I am sure they were prepared for but hoped would never happen.
In 2009, while working at a company that created an event that honored veterans, I had the HUGE privilege of meeting two great guys. Chris Kyle (Author of American Sniper) and Marcus Luttrell (Author of Lone Survivor). After having a very real conversation with Chris, I ended up sitting next to Marcus. Here I was, sitting inches away from a true American Hero and I was so overcome with awe and intimidated that all I could muster to say was “Wow, this BBQ is good”! – (ever have one of those moment where in the process of the words coming from your mouth, you already regret saying them? ) But seriously…what could I say? I am sure he had been asked over and over just about everything that could be imagined. All I could do was sit there and keep telling myself, “this guy made it…he’s the real deal…he has something clearly special about him that I can’t even imagine.”
So what is it that drives us to push ourselves in desperate situations? What are we trying to prove and to whom? When we push ourselves beyond our previously imagined limits, we can’t help but emerge with strengthened courage and confidence. I believe these core traits are like muscles; If they are to be developed, they must be stretched and used often. Boot camp, training academies, and schools are NOT the test; their purpose is to prepare us for when we ARE tested, and usually to a far greater degree than we train for. Why does it always seem so ‘easy’ after we have made it through something, but in the midst of the test it seems impossible? I believe a big part of it is perspective. When SEALS are training to swim long distances and do tasks underwater, if they panic and feel as though they are about to drown, the people administering the exercises are calm. I think it is because the instructors KNOW the person is not in imminent danger or near death. But tell that to the guy in the water!
I remember when I was going through the police academy and we had to get sprayed in the face with pepper spray, then complete about 10 minutes of tasks that required mind, memory and physical agility…all while our faces were on FIRE! During the exercise, I couldn’t think of anything other than ” I want this crap to be over” and “Man I hope I don’t suffocate”. But the instructors were full of smiles and giggles––as we suffered immensely. They had the perspective to see that despite what we were FEELING, we were in no danger of serious harm. I wished I could have shared in their comfort, but my physical body was screaming for air and water.
So what is it that makes YOU so special? Sure, we all have breaking points and limits, but I am also certain we all have things unique to us that once identified, can be used to not only improve ourselves but help others. Kind of like Bruce Willis in the movie Unbreakable. He had no idea what he was capable of, but once he discovered it, it was then his responsibility to use his uniqueness to help others.
Try to see yourself from a new perspective and realize there is SOMETHING special about you. And if you don’t already know what it is, make it your quest to find out what that is and how it can be used. Some people find their gift, their calling, their unique specialties, but then decide to use them for selfish desires and evil. Don’t waste time judging those people. Your goal should be to be the best YOU that you can be! Don’t fall in to the comfort of complacency, push yourself to keep learning and discovering.