Peaceful Warrior

I have been thinking a lot about this movie I saw last week, and I thought I would share my thoughts with you. It is a lesser known movie called "The Peaceful Warrior." Among others, one of the stars is Nick Nolte (as Socrates, apt enough). He plays a mystic sage to a cocky Olympic hopeful, played by Scott Mechlowitz. This movie is a cross between Karate Kid and The Celestine Prophesy. Socrates becomes a mentor to the young boy and teaches him the "true meaning" of life.

The main lesson really struck me. The whole time, Socrates stresses the importance of really doing what you love no matter what. It's not about getting somewhere or acheiving a goal, per se, but doing what is in your heart. After a tragedy in the boy's life, Socrates encourages him to still do what's in his heart, not to prove anything, but because it's what will make him truely happy.

How hard is it to learn this lesson. What a challenge is it when what we know to be the most important thing in our lives becomes difficult or impossible to do? This is an excellent movie to show kids as they struggle with motivation. One of our coaches at our school wants to show this to his Volleyball team now. Check it out.