“If you build it, he will come” is the famous line in the classic 1989 flick, “Field of Dreams.”
When Iowa corn farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) starts hearing voices to build a baseball diamond in his fields — sacrificing all the income from his crop — everyone thinks he’s gone mad. He has. Sort of. But then he sees Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta) on the field, and the details begin to fall into place.
It’s funny how you pick up different things in a movie depending on where you are in life. The movie came out just as I was graduating from high school and figuring out how to live my life sober. My vision was very black and white then. It has to be in the early days of sobriety, or else you’ll end up drunk. So I remember the “if you build it, he will come” line, but I thought as soon as Ray’s baseball field was completed, and his daughter spots someone playing ball in it, it was sort of done and over. I don’t recall any of Ray’s confusion and angst when he hears the other commands, does his best to obey them, but gets stuck every time.
Before posting, please read our blog moderation guidelines. The comments below begin with the oldest comments first. Click on the last comments page to jump to the most recent comments.
Before posting, please read our blog moderation guidelines.
Post a Comment:
Copyright © 1995-2013 Psych Central. All rights reserved.
Site last updated: 18 May 2013
|
J your Blog Manager here…just wanted to say that I LOVED this post.
I personally felt some set-backs last week in my dream that ached a little, but I’m ready like you to KEEP GOING.
Therese,
All of us have setbacks, disappointments, regrouping. Years ago I had a calamity in my life where I lost everything I built for 25 years, both professionally and relationally. I was almost literally close to being in the street. I came close to the precipice of total financial annihilation at least three times after that. I was resentful, angry, and descended into deep sadness. I wandered around almost like a last inhabitant in a world hit by a holocaust wondering “what the hell just happened?”
It was all good. I am so thankful for that juncture in my life. Some of us would call this, as crazy as it seems, a Divine moment where confusion eventually gave way to opportunity and enlightenment. I learned to forgive and regroup. With strength beyond myself, I worked full-time and went to grad school full-time and tried to love my family full-time. I was a maniac trying to balance the “spinning plates.”
Finally, I made it… I’m at a better place of blessing, influence, and joy..
I once prayed for miracles not realizing that for a miracle to happen there has to be a problem or a great difficulty. I’m seeing miracles like I’ve never seen them before. Amazing!
Robert H. Schuller said, “Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines.”
Enjoy the scenery in your journey!
Samuel Lopez De Victoria, Ph.D.
http://www.DrSam.tv
Thank you!
I’m a big believer in ‘trusting the process’, both in therapy and in life, and it was wonderful to read about another way of doing that here…
…to stay open to all the (unexpected) possibilities that the dream may come wrapped in.
I love life’s syncronicity…
I’m in pain tonight and needing support.
I find this website, register and then see this article.
The universe has perfect timing.
Thank you. Makes me want to watch the movie again and take notes….
Peace
I agree with what everyone has posted already, and I think the hardest part for such set backs is being able to justify your feelings towards them, especially if it is more long term. Looking back on the months that turned to years that I struggled, it made the days that it was changed into something more positive all the more rewarding because the change verified why I was struggling to begin with.
Have you ever watched the movie Simon Birch? Another great, unsung, movie. I have related to Simon in so many ways. He questions his purpose in life. What is the meaning of it all, why was he born so small. He believes that he is God’s instrument. Not many have time for Simon’s needs – but all he wants is to find his place in this life. And isn’t that what we seem to be searching for too? We look for the signs that say “psst, this way, over here, you’re supposed to be doing this now.” If only.
I see this movie as an educator, because that is who I am. I have no right to tell someone that they cannot live their dream, and try with all of my being to be the voice to where they want to be or who they really are. I learned from my own son who battled physical disability, thinking all hope was lost, but his hope was not. He worked, struggled and built it…and became who he is today. It was the greatest lesson in my life about the human spirit and the resiliency we all have. Sometimes, we need that voice to do it…I try to be that voice for my students because I do believe in them…