A Matter of Perspective
I know it has been a few weeks since I last posted about a lesson learned from the movie “The Matrix,” but read on for the next installment!
Again, if you have not watched the 1999 movie “The Matrix,” it is currently playing on a popular streaming service. I tell you this because there are spoilers in these posts and I don’t want anyone disappointed because I told you.
On to today’s lesson learned. . .
Lessons from The Matrix Part Two
The bug in the stomach movie
In the movie, Neo/Mr. Anderson—beautifully played by Keanu Reeves—finds himself “arrested” by Agent Smith who is really a computer program designed to keep control in the Matrix and keep dissidents from finding out the truth about what the Matrix really is.
After he is taken into custody, Neo is spoken to by Smith while a couple of other agents stand by in the room.
When Neo suggests that he knows his “rights” and wants his phone call, Smith asks him what good that would do if Neo is unable to speak.
Neo finds himself “unable” to speak (I won’t totally spoil this one) and the next thing he knows he is on his back being held down by the agents while Smith holds up what becomes a multi-legged metallic bug.
My granddaughter, who loves this movie, calls it “the bug in the stomach movie,” because that is just what happens next—Smith releases the “bug” which bores into Neo’s belly button.
He wakes up in his own bed and assumes it was all just a crazy realistic nightmare.
So what does this have to do with ANYTHING?
Well, let me enlighten you.
We all let things “bug” us. Maybe it is an unsupportive spouse or family member. Maybe it is our own negative thoughts trying to keep us down.
Whatever it is, something “bugs” us and keeps us from doing the things that we know we ought to do.
We might blame it on an uncomfortable chair. We might say we are just not in the “mood” to write or whatever it is that we want to do. We might come up with a million things that “bug” us and deter us from our path.
When things “bug” us, we stop doing things. We stop encouraging one another. We stop doing the things we want to do and begin to focus on the thing that is “bugging” us.
Don’t let things “bug” you
I know this part is easier said than done, but sometimes you just have to let go of the things that are bugging you and concentrate on the task before you.
The task before you is creation. You are creating a better world for people by the good things you do (create).
If you let the things that “bug” you keep you from doing that which you must, you are letting your fellow humans down. You are ultimately letting yourself down.
The bottom line is this: Don’t let things “bug” you.
Decide for yourself that for a certain amount of time each day or each week that you will dedicate your mental resources to doing whatever your “thing” is. Even if things are “bugging” you, you must take this step or you will face certain failure.
How do you not let things “bug” you?
This is the tricky part. I am an expert at letting things “bug” me. Most of the time it is little things, stupid things, like, “This piece of hair keeps drooping down and touching my cheek and is distracting me.”
They invented hair bands/ties for a reason, Karin!
Sometimes it is just the room that is distracting. I go to a different room—sometimes to a different building!
There really is something about writing in a public place like a restaurant or coffee shop that can get your motor running. So what if you look pompous! If it gets some words down on the “page” who cares what that stranger might or might not be thinking of you?
The bottom line here is that we can make an excuse or we can find a way. Making excuses keeps us down and allows that thing that “bugs” us to win.
Another lesson from The Matrix awaits you next week!
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