“Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones we miss.”
There is no story more gripping or worthwhile than that of our own lives.
Dramatizations across cinema and theatre aim to tell us fascinating stories whether they were real or born out of someone’s imagination. However, nothing will ever trump the dynamic nature of a true story, simply because it’s true.
This film is not a true story, but if there ever was a film that showcased just how important it is to live our own true story, it’s this fictional one.
The condition that Benjamin is cursed with, gives us a unique perspective on the various experiences of life. And as always, when looking at something from a different angle, one is bound to see something new.
There isn’t much sense in talking about the movie’s details, that I leave to you, the reader, to experience for yourself. But there is much to say about what the film speaks to us.
Benjamin’s life is anything but ideal. Where he grows us, his first job, his health and many other facets of his life are not great.
And yet what we can’t fail to see in this story is, life is a blessing, and it will always be this way.
Through hardships and misfortunes, Benjamin persevered and learned how to maneuver, sometimes with hard work, sometimes with luck, and often both.
No matter how hard life was for him, he always wanted to continue, to persevere. Nothing was worse than life ceasing to exist.
So he did what he could, which was to make sure he didn’t miss out on anything. There was nothing that could stopping from being as adventurous as he could be. And there was no one who could stop him from being who he wants to be.
Despite his condition, he did not fear life, nor shy away from it. He sought out and ventured into unknown and unsafe territories and lands to try out what life has to offer, and pushed himself beyond what he knows.
That is the mindset we all need, if we want to live a full life.
To live life daringly. To push ourselves beyond our comfort zones, is no easy task.
But if we accept and believe that life, in any form, is a blessing to us, then we must fight to earn it.
What would be the point of having this gift without using it? And not just using it, but excelling at it.
Mistakes will happen, pain and suffering are a certainty, so is ambiguity while clarity is rare. Yet this again should not keep us from acknowledging that life is to be lived, and lived well.
Benjamin did everything good to live a life that was almost destined to be bad. He shouldn’t have, but he lived a good life, a full life.
Don’t be afraid to push against your weaknesses and limitations. Life is meant to be experienced fully. It is a gift, one that can be taken away. So, use it while you have the chance, and to use it, you have to push beyond your fears.
Otherwise, what’s the point?
“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.”