Every year I make it a point to watch “It’s A Wonderful Life” during the month of December. There are other little traditions I also practice that I find comfort in as the new year approaches. I love to pray on choosing a “word” I hold for the new year, I reread books including Brendon Burchard’s “Motivation Manifesto”. Today I want to share why I believe the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” is such a statement of our humanity.

It’s a Wonderful Life tells the story of dissatisfied businessman George Bailey, played by James Stewart, who is visited by an Angel (Clarence) who shows him what life would be like if he’d never been born. Over the years I have taken different ideas away from this movie. The more I think about it, there is much more to share than here in a blog post but I will give you some highlights to think on.

Here are some of my take-aways from over the years. 

• Don’t compare yourself to others.
• Things DON’T always go as planned.
• Sometimes “the villain” get’s away with it.
• Good deeds are rewarded.
• Great sacrifice can have great rewards.
• Focus on your blessings. Sometimes we have to change our perspective.
• Character and integrity matter.
• Grace and giving are important virtues.

Lastly, there is a sign that reads “No man is a failure who has friends.” 

Throughout the film, George sees himself as a failure because he never left Bedford Falls, traveled the world, or achieved his dreams. Instead, by staying home, he improved the lives of so many people and, in doing so, made friends. In the final scene, these friends show their gratitude to him for all he’s done for them. The fact that everyone donates more than George needed speaks volumes. 

George didn’t realize what impact he had on the people around him until it was almost too late. Maybe we should all let the people around us know what they mean to us more often and how much we appreciate their efforts on our behalf.

We are closing in on a new year… and the truth is, in any given moment, we can make a new choice about who we will be, what we will choose to do, and what we might have to offer. Do we really want the people who have made a difference in our lives to have to wait until the end of theirs – or until a crisis happens to let them know what they mean to us? Is there someone who would benefit from hearing what they mean to you or how what seemed like a small act of kindness changed the course of your day or your life?

Now here is another angle that I sometimes ponder:

George did the “right” things. He lived the life everyone else thought he should live. He played the roles everyone else assigned to him. In every instance, he took on the responsibility of others and gave up on his own desires for “adventure and architecture and building amazing structures.” But was it really the “right” thing? Was it really the life he was intended to lead? Is the underlying lesson here that we should suck it up and go along and do what everyone else expects us to do? Does that lead to a full and satisfying life? There’s no guarantee any of us will reach “that age” and that state of financial security. And I question why it needs to be that way? Why do we insist having “the safe job” and making the “right salary” is the path to happiness? If it fills your bank account while draining your soul, what’s the true value?

• What voice is speaking to you within your soul?
• What whispers are you hearing or maybe ignoring that call you to something more interesting, something more creative?
• What do you long to explore, create, bring to life, and share with the world ?

I don’t have the answers and I think this is what makes this movie so great. We are all in this daily struggle of this human condition. In the end, having a moral compass, living by the golden rule, and doing our best to be our best is all we can hope for. We are not alone – go hug someone, tell someone how you feel about them and spread joy where you can.