“You can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. You can make the best or the worst of it." The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Imagine the possibilities if you had the strength of a 20 year old but the experience of a 70 year old. Such is the case of Benjamin Button, who is born old and ages backwards. Now, that plot alone should certainly set the story up for some amazing life lessons such as, death is Inevitable, love is a lot of work, family doesn’t always mean blood relative, and life adventures are possible for anyone who has the courage to try.

What’s most remarkable about the film is the absence of any regret in Benjamin’s life. It is my absolute #1 life goal – to look back on my life with no regrets. I’m doing pretty well. I’m 55 with just one regret (so far).

Be a Good Listener

Everyone wants to talk with Benjamin. He proves to be a good listener. They tell him what they've been through in life. A man with a poor memory points out again and again and again that he was struck by lightning seven different times.  A wealthy woman, who keeps to herself, teaches him to play the piano. A gregarious visitor takes a fancy to the man-boy and introduces him the joys of manhood. And through it all, Benjamin listens with patience and compassion.  Most of us never listen.  Our minds are too busy thinking about what we should say next.  Listening is a skill. Few have it.  Get it! Practice it!

Keep an Open Mind

Benjamin always keeps an open mind and uses each encounter as an opportunity to soften his heart. He makes the best of bad situations and does not allow them to bring him down. He demonstrates self- control that enables him to handle failure and success, defeat and victory, and all with calm. One of his favorite mantras is "You never know what's coming for you." It is best to see everything as a mystery that does not need to be solved or explained away. Just live in the present moment and savor what presents itself to you.  We are all so busy. Do we ever stop to smell the ocean? When was the last time you felt calm?

To Be a Kid Again – The Wonder of it All

A sense of wonder is a trademark of Benjamin's personality. As a man-child in the home for the elderly, we actually see him listen to the house breathing. As a child-man he savors the start of the day looking out over the water. Benjamin learns how to let go and not to cling to anyone: "We're meant to lose the people we love. How else will we know how much they meant to us?" From start to finish, this character tries to be himself, accepting his flaws and celebrating his strengths as a human being: "It's never too late or too early to be whoever you want to be." 

I love the beach and one of my best beach joys is watching babies see and feel the ocean and the sand for the first time. The wonder of it. Don’t you wish, as adults, there were some mysteries left to spark our wonder? 

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button reminds me that the best thing each of us can do is to make the most of our journey and be thankful for the people we meet along the way. It's all a gift. Wherever you end up, whatever you do at any given time, do it with the zest of a child and the experience of a 70 year old. This reminds me of my favorite Abraham Lincoln quote, “Whatever you are—be a good one.” 

"You can change or stay the same.

There are no rules to this thing.

You can make the best or the worst of it."