Lessons from a George Clooney movie -Yearning, Loss & Love in The Descendants

by heidi_behr | Sep 9, 2014 | Forgiveness, Gratitude, Relationship skills

I recently saw the movie, “The Descendants”- starring George Clooney. I admit I was drawn to the movie because he’s a big star. (Ok, that was the main reason.) But it was also the focus on family relationships that additionally made me curious. Watching the film unfold, I was deeply moved by the themes of love and loss, the yearning for connection and characters struggling with forgiveness.

It made me think about so many clients I have seen who are navigating the same issues: coping with lost love, after a breakup or divorce, or coping with what feels like lost love within a marriage/relationship, and the wondering “Can we get it back?”  I have seen clients who are coping with grief, mourning someone who has died or is dying.  I see parents and kids who feel disconnected and angry yet long to make things better in their families.  And all these clients, all of us really, have to deal with the biggee: forgiveness— of ourselves and of our loved ones, who have violated our trust, hurt us, disappointed us, or left us in some way.

I cried a lot through this movie, and you might too.  That’s okay. Often times we are moved by the experiences we see on-screen, and it touches us in some way.  That’s what allows us to focus on what matters in our lives: what we yearn for; what type of connection we wish to strengthen; the wonder or hope for making things better; considering or trying to achieve forgiveness for ourselves and others.  All of these are important topics to ponder and reflect on.

If you have a chance, see the movie (hopefully with a good friend). After watching it you’ll get to reflect on the lessons you saw. Can you forgive betrayal? Can you heal from loss? Who do you want to deepen connection with? Can you make things better when things have gotten bad? What do you have in your life that you are grateful for?

While you are still awake, alert and alive, you get to offer gratitude to God or the Universe for being alive. Notice where you get to learn, get to forgive and ask for forgiveness, where you get to reach out to someone you love and work on deepening connections.

I’d love to know what you thought of this film. How did it move you? Reply in the comments section below. And to read another lovely review of this film, go to : http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/films.php?id=21868