On so many levels they got it “right”. Their characterization of each person was dead on. The writer really knew her characters. The sets made you feel you were either at your house or a neighbor or friend’s home. The music ,like the way they narrated the story, created another layer of combining what is modern with vintage. The way the story was told flowed so smoothly the movie never dragged and in fact quickly flew by. I found myself wanting to stay in Juno’s world!

The story revolves around a young girl who got pregnant the first time she ever became intimate with a guy. Bad luck? Well, she turned whatever her fate was into a blessing. A way of saying life’s tone is all in your perspective. She wanted to have an abortion; but on the way to the clinic ran into a classmate that was picketing in front for pro-life. Immediately, Juno decided to have the baby and then give it to a less fortunate couple.

I was struck by her unnerving strength and single-mindedness in what must be a very hard life decision. I kept thinking she is thirteen and she knows without question what she wants to do and never rethinks or questions her decision.

I thought back to a lot of times in my life where I did not trust my instinct or did not feel secure in my own mind what the correct path to take was at that time. In watching the film I recognized how I got this feeling of calm that is the result of being resolved in your own judgment.

How to trust your inner voice, your instinct is something you are either aware of or not. You either practice or not in life. I have found that as I analyze my life and some of the decisions that shaped my life’s path there were times when my spirit or soul was “talking” to me and I was not listening. My inner voice had a message and I ignored it or went directly against it brushing aside “that feeling”. Being unsettled internally and/or externally is usually the cause.

So, how does a girl who is thirteen know exactly what is best for her and thinks beyond just herself in making her decision. She appeared to have a strong foundation, a good spirit, and a rationale mind. These are all great qualities to have in a person and help you stay balanced in life.

Personally, I find that if you have veered off the path of conscious living or being “right” minde self   all you have to do is decide where you are going and keep walking down that path. Following the “right” way, with no questions or detours, will move you in the “right” direction as expeditiously as possible. This takes self-discipline and practice. It is something only you can implement and monitor for yourself. But, you will know the difference once you experience that feeling of being in harmony with the world within you and around you. It’s not a matter of haste but being at peace in your own mind, body and spirit.

I was in Dallas, Texas, visiting for the holidays and like many folks went for a movie to cap off all the turkey. Now, living in Philly, you could say I am exposed to more gangster culture now than growing up in Texas. I can see more inner-city culture and I like to mix things up, although the real grit of street life is not one I can identify with readily. But, I was so moved by the plight of this gangster, the struggle to make a name for yourself, to choose your path and walk whatever line you drew for yourself.

Zen is school of Mahayana Buddhism notable for its emphasis on practice and experiential wisdom-particularly as realized in the form of meditation known as zazen-in the attainment of awakening. As such, it de-emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and the study of religious texts in favor of direct individual experience of one’s own true nature.*

Fred Lucas was the main character of this flick. He lived a humble life and an extravagant life. It occurred to me he still kept his center in the midst of either side of the coin. I think he knew his calling and followed it no matter what his fate. He trusted his spirit and did his best at every moment. He lived life to its fullest and kept learning along the way. His dignity was extraordinary.

I was intensely drawn to the bad man’s heart and spirit. Why would my heart bleed for the gangster? How could I be so sympathetic for a man who provided deadly drugs to people who became addicted or died from the very drugs this man supplied to them?

His style, method, confidence, intelligence was of great magnitude. His execution was gruesome. His heart could be cold and cruel, in fact, lethal. Underneath, I saw a tender soul just like mine. He tried to remain balanced and in control at all times. If not the circumstance he was born into; what might his destiny of been?

Somewhere in there was a man who lost faith in society, did what he was taught and when experience showed him there was a better way made his correction. In my opinion, he followed the thought of Zen that everything is changing and that not to suffer you must rid yourself of attachments, even to the idea of self or “I”.

In general, I think it reminded me that it is not our goal to be perfect; but, to be open to the experience we call life. The journey has many teachers and lessons. It is each person’s opportunity to be open and available enough to recognize the information. Using everyday examples of important messages can help keep you on your path, no matter what it may be.

http://www.americangangster.net/

*Wikipedia Encyclopedia Reference.