About one year ago I had a life changing experience, a trip to a little town called Kerry on the outskirts of Dublin, Ireland. It was the most beautiful place that I have ever seen. Being in the presence of such beauty helped me see life from a different perspective. I was just going to be happy, appreciate what I have, be open-minded, not take anything for granted, and love everyone and everything. When I came back from Ireland I was truly happy, nothing could make me upset.
But after awhile my constant elation came to a gradual end, but I was soon to find that even though my elation ended I as going to be a happy, loving, and open-minded person forever. And there was everyday influences like film, art, and music to remind me of that, my trip, and the happiness that came with it. Film helps me to remember not to take little things for granted. A good example of this is in the movie Good Will Hunting. The main character, Will Hunting (Matt Damon), is a troubled young man living the poor life in south Boston.
He had a real genius for mathematics, but due to his hard personality and a long line of dysfunctional foster homes he didnt take advantage of this talent. Then with the help from a MIT rofessor and a psychology teacher (Robin Williams) Will is able to open up and realize what he had. This movie just seemed so real and it reminded me how lucky I am, I have a good family great friends which should never be taken for granted. Which reminds me of freedom, a privilege seriously taken for granted in todays society.
I think many people will probably never realize how lucky they are to have freedom unless the are fighting for it or simply dont have it. This appreciation for freedom is shown best in the movies Brave Heart and Michael Collins. The main characters, William Wallace (Brave Heart) and Michael Collins (Michael Collins), were both living under suppressive British rule, fought, and died for the right to be free. Someone doesnt die for something they dont appreciate. When I think about those movies I am really happy, because I am lucky, free, and free to seize any opportunity that comes my way.
Art also reminds me of my happiness, a single piece of art work can capture a moment of emotion or feeling. Artists like Claude Monet really capture emotion well, in the painting, The Stroll: Camille Monet, Monet painted Camille standing in the middle of a field, it sounds simple. But Monet did such a good job that there seems to be more, there is emotion. That is what makes art special, emotion, and that I can have my own thoughts about what the artist is trying to say through their painting. In the Edward Hopper painting, Route 6 there is a real warm feeling coming from it.
That warm feeling is one of the best emotions that I have experienced, the only other time I get that feeling is when nature is at its best (sunsets, sunrises, grassy fields, ect. ). That brings me to the artist Liz Sexton, her paintings of nature are some of the most beautiful, natural, and unique pieces of art that I have ever seen. I think that I am on of the luckiest people in the world to be able to appreciate this artistic beauty, that in its self makes me a happy person. The most important influence in my life would have to be music.
When I listen to music like acustic Led Zeppelin, I am just really happy. When I was in Ireland and I first realized how lucky I was, I was listening to Zeppelins, Going to California. Ever since then all I listen to is acustic music, it just makes me the happiest. Other acustic artists like Elliott Smith play beautiful music, Smiths songs Kiwi Maddog 20/20 and No Name #3 remind me of going the beach with my friends. That also makes me really happy (being with my friends), as does the musician Nick Drake.
Personally I think Nick Drake is the best acustic musician of all times, his album Pink Moon is beautifuland it reminds me of being with my friends. Music (especially acustic) gives me that happy feeling and lets me realize the special things in my life like beauty in nature and friends. All in all, my trip to Ireland brought me to the realization that life is a valuable thing. Since that trip I have totally changed, I appreciate all I have, Im happy, open minded, and loving towards all life. And film, art, and music just are a constant reminder that.
