Inspired for Life and Africa

There are not many books or movies that come along that stop me in my tracks to make me feel truly inspired.  The last time that happened was when I watched Into the Wild where I followed Christopher McCandless selfishly, (to some) and bravely (to others) venture out to experience what his soul desired.  As a result I wrote a transcript that was shortly later into a song that expressed my understanding of the souls burning desire for adventure.

I remember watching the movie The Power of One in Mrs. Muller’s Social Justice class in my second to last year of high school.  It was the first time I remember being taken aback by the sites of the South African landscape along with soul moving African music.  It was then I had decided I would travel to Africa someday.  

I became wrapped up in the movie.  It was all I could think about.  Africa was all I could think about.  I made a bracelet like the one Peekay receives from his mother in the movie.  I eventually located the soundtrack as well as the DVD for the movie, unable to pull myself from wanting to experience this world I viewed as being magical.  I even named a parakeet my mother gave me Peekay after my beloved character in the movie.  Okay, fine, maybe I was a bit consumed.

I’d never read the book in high school, although my mother had it at one point where I countered and exclaimed “The movie is awesome!!”  As per one of my brothers, it was always easier to watch the movie instead of reading the book ;)  It wasn’t until coming to Malawi that I found the book at the Peace Corps office and I was immediately ecstatic. 

I sometimes find that a combination of the book and the movie creates close to a masterpiece: precisely said in this case.  The movie brought to life the African music so well illustrated in the book.  The book went in to great detail of Peekay’s emotion and the corresponding events that shaped him into becoming a man.  It described his process, his way of thinking, the hardships he had to endure to get there.

Had I realized the book held so much inspiration for me I surely would have read it years ago.  Although it may not have meant as much as it does to me now, as I feel most things come when the time is right.  As Peekay travels through life he discovers to power of one in all that he does and finds ways to beat the odds in almost every circumstance.  Instead of finding the strength in others, he looks in to himself to find the power to go on.  And even some things that occur by as something small shortly turns into a great accomplishment

Instead of recalling the entire movie and book, my suggestion is to simply read it for yourself.  If you’re not inspired to change at least one part of your life or even your outlook on life then my suggestion is to read it again ;)

I listened to the soundtrack for weeks on end, and secretly admired the bracelet I had made.  I sensed Africa, even though I’d never reveled in her beauty.  I hadn’t read the book at that point: I didn’t need to.  All that I needed at that time was what I had already seen: a boy grows up with the odds against him which in turn give him the fuel he needs to become a strong, self confident individual.  Such stories are those in which drive us all to step beyond our comforts and make a positive impact on our communities and those around us.