Soul Surfer

So it is a fact that I did see Soul Surfer in the movie theaters during opening weekend only because Carrie Underwood was in it, but I don't regret my decision. I really enjoyed the movie. It's no Remember the Titans but it was well done. Yes there were some very cheesy moments but that's part of the recipe for most inspirational films. I won't do a movie synopsis but I do want to share something that was really meaningful for me. It broke me down after the movie on my drive home.

"I wouldn't change a thing about what happened to me because it means that I can stand here in front of you all today and reach/embrace more people with one arm than I could before with two arms." -Bethany Hamilton, Soul Surfer

Some days when the pressure of everything gets to be too much, I wish I could change parts of my life and specific things about me. Maybe I'd give myself less compassion and more intelligence. Or less patience and more boldness. I tell myself that if certain events hadn't happened or if certain decisions hadn't been made then I wouldn't have to deal with those consequences; good and bad. Some days I wish I had a "return gift to sender" card. Thanks but no thanks God for the gift/talent/revelation/blessing/message/mistake (aka life lesson). I know there is a lot expected from me and some days that is harder to accept than others.

So when I watched the story of a 13 year old who struggled to re-find herself after she literally lost a piece of who she was, I felt guilty for complaining. Bethany Hamilton reached more people because of her courage after her accident than she did with her talent and skill before the shark attack.

It's funny how you never know which gift or which experience is the one that will make all the world of difference in your life and the lives of the people around you.

The best is yet to come,
~Adwoa

Dory: When life gets you down do you wanna know what you've gotta do?
Marlin: No I don't wanna know.
Dory: [singing] Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming