Just Wondering

Have you seen the movie Gran Torino?

It may not be everyone’s “cup of tea” but it’s most definitely mine.
I saw it immediately after my father’s brilliant recommendation, while it was still in cinemas early January 2009. To this day it’s one of my favourite films because it’s not easy, it’s honest, because of the truth and the values it presents.

It’s a movie about forgiveness and redemption, life choices, also the toughest ones when the strength of our character can be seen, and decisions we show up for and sometimes shy away from. It’s about values and principles and what it takes to truly live. For real. And, as it has Clint Eastwood in it, good and bad and knowing right from wrong. It’s a movie about life.

Back then in January 2009, when the movie ended (and the end of this movie is really something!) I sat there in the cinema somehow unable to move. As if I was trying to understand exactly the meaning of Walt Kowalski’s character right there and then, as if it was the only moment to truly capture it, as if I could never revisit it again in the same way. Maybe to understand exactly what happened and this powerful impression of the person he was. And as I sat there trying to hold on to the mixed feelings of sadness and relief, the theme song came on.
Can you remember it? For me the movie wouldn’t be the same without it.

“Just wondering”

It’s powerful, nostalgic and bittersweet. I was captivated by the music in the way that only music can. After watching the movie it made so much sense. It’s a beautiful song. The lyrics couldn’t be more perfect, deep and simple at the same time.

“So tenderly, Your story is, Nothing more, Than what you see, Or What you’ve done, Or will become, Standing strong, Do you belong, In your skin, Just wondering”

When I was thinking about this month’s theme “Love the Life You Are In” what reappeared was exactly this line “Do you belong in your skin… just wondering.”

And the thoughts I had then, in January 2009 came back.
What would I answer to that? (if a coach asked me this question today)
What would your answer be?

If the movie is so much about being bold enough to never compromise on who you are and how you live your life, belonging in your own skin is about courage to own your story and every day that’s a part of it. Both the movie and the song inspired me this month to think about strength and honesty that it takes to unapologetically live the life I’m in and love how it’s designed. By me. Or is it? Fully with no exceptions and excuses.

Do you love your life yet?

Everything changes… except for what we do not allow to change, for what we refuse to let go off or even refuse to become aware of.

“Your story is nothing more than what you see or what you’ve done or will become”

Life will object if you try and live it “the old way” rather than being here and now. Have you noticed? It’s like trying to use old strategies to face current challenges. Sounds insane?
So why do we do it so often.
It’s not in words but in actions. It’s in the truth of every moment you find yourself in. The world will present right in front of us, what it is that we still need to change until we’re truly happy with the life we have and truly belong in our own skin. Ready to show up as us, not a copy of or a version of.
Loving the person we are and the life we created.

The freedom of being you

The best news is that we’re all free to be who we are. The limitations are truly only in our own heads. They can be seen in misaligned decisions we make, in the internal conflict, in places where we still hide from ourselves. As if life was actually inviting us to be who we really are.
All we need to do is be ready to claim this freedom and give ourselves permission to ask for what we want and be ready to receive it.

So what would you say? Do you truly belong in your skin? Just wondering…