Appreciating what you have is not a cute sentiment, it is the basis of emotional adulthood. Refusing joy and beauty because imperfection exists is infantile.
As a matter of fact, my comment was indeed a reply to yours, but for some reason was posted somewhere else in the thread. So I did not see your “nuanced acknowledgement,” which no doubt was very shrewd and lacked any defensiveness whatsoever.
Dr. Prasad, you never cease to amaze! I love this movie!!
I started working as a lifeguard every summer when I was 14. I often would work 60 or 70 hours per week so that I had money throughout the year to buy clothes and make up, items that my parents did not think were worth the money. I am grateful to them for that. Working as a youngster taught me a lot, (including what paycheck withholding and FICA contributions were).
But, what I remember most about that time, my years in high school, was that I would often get to the pool much earlier than my shift would start and float around on my back, ears under water, looking up at the leaves in the trees fluttering, twisting, moving gently, with the light playing through them. Like you, music and books were my greatest love and I would just ponder…and float….I do believe this helped train my mind and humanity for becoming a physician.
One of the best lines in this essay: "Those thoughts are a mental illness, and should be purged. He was brainwashed by the brainwashed people who write for the news." I encounter the doom mindset fairly often -- those who claim that we're done... democracy, humanity, this country, the world. I say the same thing, Turn off CNN and walk outside. Look around! Interact with normal people!
I truly appreciate most of your posts. This one though...THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING! I will pay it forward and continue to share this beautiful film and it's invaluable message (including your wonderful insights as well).
Thanks for encouraging your friend. Why rob yourself of the absolute profundity and simple joys of having children & witnessing their growth?! Seriously so much of parenthood actually is like watching the light filter through leaves.
Every period in time in written human history has had mighty struggles and mighty problems. I think the halcyon days are largely a myth and are a result of fading memories of the more distant past. Unfortunately, we live in a time where there is hyper-awareness of not only our local news but of state, national, and international news. For me, problems in all those arenas always existed in the past, but we were less aware of them. Look at a time before the printing press. More distant news traveled relatively slowly, the more distant, the slower it was to get to you. When something happened six or 12 months ago in a distant land what did it really matter? Most things that seem to be important or dire today are often quite unimportant in a relatively short time. In my experience, about 99.9% of stuff that happens really doesn't affect my actual life or the lives of those around me. The trick is to try to focus on that small percentage that really does matter and largely ignore the rest. Easier said than done, but that is how I try to live and stay happier.
This was lovely. And I appreciate the Japanese culture even more for having a specific word for appreciating dappled light, as they do for forest bathing (shinrin-yoku). Standing barefoot in the grass amidst trees is the surest path to peace that I know of.
I saw this film several months ago and have labeled it my favorite film along with my Octopus Teacher. Your review was exquisite and I resonated with it all. Thank you 🙏 🫶🏽
Side note: the toilet cleaning part could have been worse. Count on the clever Japanese to make interesting toilet designs housed in interestingly designed standalone public restrooms. Those restrooms were part of an urban redevelopment project called The Tokyo Toilet (hence the name on the main character's uniform). That project hired Wim Wenders originally to make a short nonfiction documentary about it. Wenders later decided he could make a feature film, which turned out magnificently. Thanks for reviewing it!
Appreciating what you have is not a cute sentiment, it is the basis of emotional adulthood. Refusing joy and beauty because imperfection exists is infantile.
Next time just @ me, but you chose not to because I acknowledged this already with nuance.
As a matter of fact, my comment was indeed a reply to yours, but for some reason was posted somewhere else in the thread. So I did not see your “nuanced acknowledgement,” which no doubt was very shrewd and lacked any defensiveness whatsoever.
But in despair, the temptation to give up hope is there. We have to fight it
Love this. There is beauty and joy in everything as long as we’re able to notice it. Going to watch this now, thanks Dr. Prasad
Dr. Prasad, you never cease to amaze! I love this movie!!
I started working as a lifeguard every summer when I was 14. I often would work 60 or 70 hours per week so that I had money throughout the year to buy clothes and make up, items that my parents did not think were worth the money. I am grateful to them for that. Working as a youngster taught me a lot, (including what paycheck withholding and FICA contributions were).
But, what I remember most about that time, my years in high school, was that I would often get to the pool much earlier than my shift would start and float around on my back, ears under water, looking up at the leaves in the trees fluttering, twisting, moving gently, with the light playing through them. Like you, music and books were my greatest love and I would just ponder…and float….I do believe this helped train my mind and humanity for becoming a physician.
One of the best lines in this essay: "Those thoughts are a mental illness, and should be purged. He was brainwashed by the brainwashed people who write for the news." I encounter the doom mindset fairly often -- those who claim that we're done... democracy, humanity, this country, the world. I say the same thing, Turn off CNN and walk outside. Look around! Interact with normal people!
I truly appreciate most of your posts. This one though...THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING! I will pay it forward and continue to share this beautiful film and it's invaluable message (including your wonderful insights as well).
Thanks for encouraging your friend. Why rob yourself of the absolute profundity and simple joys of having children & witnessing their growth?! Seriously so much of parenthood actually is like watching the light filter through leaves.
Every period in time in written human history has had mighty struggles and mighty problems. I think the halcyon days are largely a myth and are a result of fading memories of the more distant past. Unfortunately, we live in a time where there is hyper-awareness of not only our local news but of state, national, and international news. For me, problems in all those arenas always existed in the past, but we were less aware of them. Look at a time before the printing press. More distant news traveled relatively slowly, the more distant, the slower it was to get to you. When something happened six or 12 months ago in a distant land what did it really matter? Most things that seem to be important or dire today are often quite unimportant in a relatively short time. In my experience, about 99.9% of stuff that happens really doesn't affect my actual life or the lives of those around me. The trick is to try to focus on that small percentage that really does matter and largely ignore the rest. Easier said than done, but that is how I try to live and stay happier.
Wow, stunning piece.
Moving review! Will watch!
Okay…ive just teared up. Thank you Dr. Prasad. ❤️
This was lovely. And I appreciate the Japanese culture even more for having a specific word for appreciating dappled light, as they do for forest bathing (shinrin-yoku). Standing barefoot in the grass amidst trees is the surest path to peace that I know of.
The attitude of gratitude. I look forward to watching this film. Thank you Dr. P.
Well stated, well reviewed. Thank you.
Yes! Spoken like a true Stoioc.Thanks Vinay. Best post ever.
I saw this film several months ago and have labeled it my favorite film along with my Octopus Teacher. Your review was exquisite and I resonated with it all. Thank you 🙏 🫶🏽
Side note: the toilet cleaning part could have been worse. Count on the clever Japanese to make interesting toilet designs housed in interestingly designed standalone public restrooms. Those restrooms were part of an urban redevelopment project called The Tokyo Toilet (hence the name on the main character's uniform). That project hired Wim Wenders originally to make a short nonfiction documentary about it. Wenders later decided he could make a feature film, which turned out magnificently. Thanks for reviewing it!