Grace and Nature.

So last night, because the stars aligned and Ever was at Grama & Grampa's and Tell was asleep (for most of it) and I felt like just doing nothing essentially, I watched The Tree of Life.

It was long, slow, visually beautiful, a bit vague, a bit frustrating, but... I kind-of liked it. I'll admit, I fast-forwarded through some of the "evolution of the universe" as I later read it to be. And I fast-forwarded maybe one or two more parts, but really, I can't afford a 2 hour 20 minute movie in its entirety these days.

Anyway, it starts out with this narrative, which really struck a cord with me (it may not be exact):

"...there were two ways through life - the way of nature and the way of grace. You have to choose which one you'll follow. Grace doesn't try to please itself. Accepts being slighted, forgotten, disliked. Accepts insults and injuries. Nature only wants to please itself. Get others to please it too. Likes to lord it over them. To have its own way. It finds reasons to be unhappy when all the world is shining around it. And love is smiling through all things."

Maybe it was because I was having a rough day and needed another perspective on, well, perspective? But "finding reasons to be unhappy when all the world is shining around it." Simplistic, maybe, but I find comfort and inspiration in it all the same.

I wouldn't say I "enjoyed" the movie, but I'm glad I watched it. And I also think there's something to be said for a movie that's about more than just entertaining. And, who am I kidding, there's the Brad Pitt part.