Hope Can Set You Free: A Look at The Shawshank Redemption

 

The Shawshank Redemption movie poster, courtesy of Wikipedia

Warning: this article contains spoilers from the film The Shawshank Redemption. 

Hope is defined as "a feeling of expectation and desire for certain things to happen. In the film, The Shawshank Redemption, Andy Dufresne maintained hope for a better life even though he was convicted of a crime he did not commit and forced to endure 19 years of confinement in a dangerous prison. The film is also a story about hope versus despair, which utilizes inspiration from the Hero's Journey and the Bible.  It is celebrated as one of the best movies ever made even though it was not a box office hit.  A popular line from the movie, "Get busy living, or get busy dying" is about the options we have in life. It is possible to be alive, but not live.  The choice is up to you. Andy's character encourages you to have hope and pursue the life you believe you deserve. Let's discuss...

Choices and Consequences - Red Pill vs Blue Pill - Choose Wisely

 

The Matrix poster - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Recently, I attended an exciting football game. One team had a choice to either kick a field goal for three points or run the football through the end zone for two points. Usually, a team with similar options would go for the field goal. So, it was shocking to me, and others, when the team went for the run. The team didn't score and eventually lost the game.  This event inspired me to think about our life choices and consequences. With every choice we make, there is a corresponding consequence.  Like Neo in The Matrix, every day we make life altering choices, so choose wisely.  Let's discuss...