The Help

Today I went with my mother to see The Help. It was an excellent movie! {No, I didn't read the book even though it's one of my pet peeves} I haven't seen a movie that has had such an impact on me in a very long time. In fact, I can't even remember the last movie I have seen that has. 

It really got me thinking about the way that we treat people. Not just the way that racism is still present in our society even today, but the way we treat everyone. The way we turn up our noses at people who are dirty or homeless, people who suffer from addictions, etc etc. We never stop to think about their story. We never stop to think that they are humans too. They have the same blood coursing through their bodies. They have the same emotions and feelings. We are all alike, even in our differences. 

I am no better than someone else just because I am white. Or because I have a college education. Or because I have a husband and children. And I am no less than someone else for the same reasons. 

It also got me thinking about the way we treat our children. Do we ever stop to tell them how amazing they are? Do we ever stop and say "You are kind. You are smart. You are important." Do we criticize them for their wrongdoings or we do praise them for their accomplishments? How often do we hug them or hold them? Our babies are only little for so long and then they grow up to be like us. So we'd better make sure we are modeling the behavior we hope they grow into. I want to make sure I am spending enough time with my children. Sure, it can be harder to get something accomplished with them around. But I don't ever want my children to feel like a burden. I want to make sure they know how much I love them. 

I want them to know how proud I am of them. I want them to grow up into caring individuals who aren't afraid to stand up for what they believe in. And I want them to stand up for what's right, even if it means they are standing alone. 

It's late. And I'm not sure how much of this made sense. I just wanted to get it out before bed. To summarize.... The Help was a seriously touching and amazing movie and, if you haven't already, you should definitely go see it! 

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