Last week, Curt and I settled onto the couch with our dogs, our cats and a big bag of sunflower seeds. We were excited to relax, unwind and enjoy a great movie. We have a little tradition in our household called the ā10 minute ruleā. We'll start watching something and then check in with each other at the 10 minute mark. If we're not hooked, we'll find something else. We realized that this keeps us more willing to be adventurous and try things we may not otherwise. (And secretly I've realized that by letting Curt be the one to decide, he is less likely to fall asleep halfway through! š“)
He usually defers the tv remote to me, as I have a better track record of finding hidden gems we both love. I was perusing the streaming platforms, checking out what was available in our favorite genre "Based on a true story", when I spied one I'd seen many years earlier. I knew Curt would love this movie, and I'd love to see it again with him, but there was one problem. š³
I side-glanced at my husband. Would he notice it said "Hallmark" in the top right corner? That would be the kiss of death, halting us from even getting teed up for the 10 minute rule tradition. ā°
Then I had a ray of hope as I realized it was streaming on Tubi. We both love singing the jingle that plays every time we open the app. Perhaps it would distract him. š¤
I hit play on the remote control. The app opened and we sang joyously along š¤
š¶ Tuuuuuu B i i i i šµ TUBI š¶
So far, so good. I kept his attention away from the screen as the opening titles - and the lethal HALLMARK logo - rolled in, by pointing out how absolutely adorable it was that our dog Chaypin was snuggling with our cat Tofu. š„°
As the movie's first moments flickered to life, I could see from Curt's face he was on the fence. Uh oh. 10 minutes in, I was hesitant as I paused the movie for the moment of truth. "It's a little Hallmarky," he said, "but seems ok. If you're in, I'm in."
"Sure," I remarked casually. "Let's go for it." š
We watched on-screen as Brad Cohen's life unfolded. A young man who had faced relentless bullying, ignorance and misunderstanding due to his involuntary tics and noises from what he calls his constant companion - known to us as Tourette's Syndrome.
His dream is to become a teacher. Despite being highly credentialed, having majored in college in Teacher Education and graduated cum laude with many academic honors, he was constantly being turned down from positions he was applying for because of his tics.
Facing unyielding rejection, we watch Brad for the first time feeling so frustrated, angry and hopeless, that he is ready to give up.
Enter his stepmom, dropping by his apartment to check in on him. After hearing him out, she turns to leave, and says: "Brad. You have a gift to teach. And it's not in spite of your Tourettes, it's because of it."
Ohhhhh! I love that line! I resist the urge to be annoying and hit "stop" right then and there to delve in to the statement, and instead file it away for later.
We continued watching to the end, Brad's determination and resolve surfacing once again. He is eventually hired to teach second and third grade on a one year contract. At the end of the school term not only is his contract extended, but he was awarded the Sallie Mae First Class Teacher of the Year. He went on to impact the lives of students year after year, including reaching those children with challenges who can otherwise easily get lost in the system.
As I went back in my mind to ponder to his stepmother's words, I thought of the people I know doing incredible work in the world not despite hardships they endured, but because of it. Their greatest gifts have emerged from their greatest challenges.
ā¼ļø The person who overcame alcohol and drug addiction and now helps others still trapped in the throes of the disease find their way to sobriety.
ā¼ļø The woman who, along with her sister, was molested as a child. As an adult she found healing in her work with horses. When her sibling who unable to deal with the pain and trauma committed suicide, she formed a non-profit and has helped thousands of sexual abuse victims find their voice and strength through equine therapy.
Sometimes our gifts are more subtle:
ā¼ļø The one with the bubbly personality lifting people up wherever they go.
ā¼ļø A person living their life fully and unapologetically, serving as a beacon of light for others to do the same.
ā¼ļø Someone who shows kindness and compassion to the animals of the world, becoming a voice for the voiceless.
We all have a gift to share with the world. In doing so, we not only make the world a better place, but we become better and better versions of ourselves as we live with intent and purpose. If you'd like clarity on the gift you have to share with the world, or how to share it, click below for a Five Minute Fix Guided Meditation. š
PS: Curt LOVED the movie! šš»
Five minute fix guided meditation #024: What gift do you have to share with the world?
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