Hope at Shawshank

For the first time in a long time, my mind is dwelling on a movie. The other night, after Ken and I got home from a successful shopping excursion, we sat on the couch and came across The Shawshank Redemption on television. I’d never seen the whole thing (what rock have I been under?) but I hate coming into movies halfway through, so I didn’t pay much attention. Then, as the movie began its climax, I suddenly felt compelled to watch.

Thankfully, the movie was on the same channel the very next night. I had to watch the whole thing. My first journey through the film in its entirety led me to two conclusions: One being that we should always consider the bigger picture and two being that retaining hope is most certainly a choice. I’ve always thought those to be true, but this film reaffirms my beliefs and makes me want to try harder. Sure, it’s just a movie, and they’re just actors portraying characters. But this is so good it makes me want to be like that, to be self-assured and quietly confident and to really truly believe that no one else can touch the deepest part of my being. Deep down I suppose I’m more like Morgan Freeman’s character Red, a little disenchanted, but in the end willing to open my mind to better possibilities. And I’m certainly not the type to ever be quietly confident. Loudly or goofily confident would be a better description.

I’d read a synopsis about the movie before and vaguely remembered how it ended, but I’d forgotten the details. To see it in action on screen was riveting. At first glance, it’s a gritty and intense prison film with brutal beatings and incredibly lonely men. But beyond that, it’s a hopeful and emotional picture. I read many reviews and most people say the same thing: This film touches the soul and leaves the viewer with a more hopeful outlook. By the time it’s finished, it makes you feel better about life. You can restart it no matter what you’ve been through.

It’s just a story and from what I understand there’s no truth behind it, but it’s so beautifully and realistically portrayed you have to believe it’s actually possible. Just thinking about the mental and emotional capacity it would take to have the hope portrayed by Tim Robbins’ character Andy boggles my mind and just thinking about what he accomplished and how long it took inspires me. It makes you feel like it’s never too late to do something, and makes me realize that there is time left to accomplish my dreams. Even if you pick at them little by little, over time, something grand may come from them.

The best realization is that nothing need be without purpose. One person can make a difference for many, however vain his initial efforts might seem. Perseverance in the face of certain darkness can win. So with inner sunshine poised and a smile on my face, I’m armed and ready. It’s time to make that choice: Get busy livin’, or get busy dyin’.