(Photo featured on Akashic Secrets)
Have you received any forwarded emails suggesting that we should all be born old and wrinkly and then age backwards, so that we can party wildly and then die as wrinkled newborns? Apparently, this idea came from the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which was adapted from a novel.
About The Movie
The storyline is about Benjamin Button, who learns about human relationships, as he and his loved ones age in opposite directions. He was born with the appearance and ailments of an 80-year-old man but died looking like a baby. Death was really the central theme. After all, Benjamin was raised amongst the elderly in a retirement home.
From the people around in the home, he watched each pass away; even while he got younger. The movie touched on birth, life and death in the following aspects: there is miracle in the birth of every child even if it is born looking ugly and old; the fleetingness of unrequited love; the letting go in unconditional love; the giving up of a dream may mean opportunities in other areas; and that you can be financially wealthy but poor in love.
While deciding whether or not I would like to spend two hours watching this movie, I read that the show received more critics than favorable reviews. Okay, I have to confess that I chose to watch this movie over the rest because of the main actor. You should see Brad Pitt in his black leather jacket on the motor bike (picture below sadly not representative) or looking cool sailing in a boat! However, I soon found out the main star that stole the show was really Cate Blanchett, who played opposite Bratt! Like a gemstone, she lit up the screen each time she came on.
Unusual Reactions After The Movie
The show was somewhat draggy. I wouldn’t call it extraordinary. But funnily enough, the movie invoked tears that refused to stop flowing. I was still sniffling when I reached home at 1 a.m. What a way to end a mini Valentine’s Day date!! My husband and I had decided to catch the show two nights ago in advance because we knew we would be busy with other appointments on February 14.
He sensed that I could have past life memories, since my reactions appeared unusual. I don’t usually cry after a movie has long ended. At my husband’s suggestion, I tuned in. Ahhhhh….he’s right! There were past life memories stored inside.
My heart ached. In short, it was the realization that it was difficult to emotionally detach totally from loved ones. When it was time to let go, despite spending a lifetime with every spiritual awareness of life being transient, it was still tough at the deathbed. The emotions were very strong. The message of the movie that I had just watched hit home: it was really about the impermanence of life and of love that transcends time.
I was too tired to do any EFT or soul realignment cleansing. Instead, I embraced every part of my humanness as I fell to sleep.
A Message In Time
Perhaps, there will come a stage when I can truly “see” beyond the illusion of my physical incarnation. While I may be aware of the illusion right now, I will only know if I have understood it deeply when experiencing the end. It will be a kick to depart not in great struggle. But in full experiential realization that I am merely transitioning in energy form from the physical to the non-physical. Love is the essence even while there is no physical existence. Spirit is eternal.
By chance, when I opened my inspiration folder in my inbox, I came across this email message that was sent by my friend some months ago. Here was what was said…..
To realise the value of one year, ask a student who failed a grade.
To realise the value of one month, ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.
To realise the value of one week, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realise the value of one hour, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realise the value of one minute, ask a person who just missed a train.
To realise the value of one second, ask someone who just avoided an accident.
To realise the value of one millisecond, ask the person who won a silver medal at the olympics.
The value of this message? The clock is ticking!! Make the most of every second!! Make the most of the here and now!
Your comments please
Have you watched The Curious Case of Benjamin Button? What would happen if time goes on the reverse for you? How would you choose to live it?
Be My Valentine
Tomorrow (February 14) is Valentine’s Day. Have you made any special plans to let your partner know how much he or she means to you? Perhaps buying a present is not all that matters but giving the gift of time.
Last but not least, Happy Valentine’s Day!! I love you all!!
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{ 37 comments }
Hi Evelyn,
I just watched this show, so your post is timely. I teared at one point but didn’t weep the way you did. The message for me was that it doesn’t matter whether time goes forward or backward. It’s what we do with the time we have. And either way, at some point we will have to let go of the people we love. Very touching movie, and very moving post!
I watched Benjamin Button soon after it came out. I think no matter what, whether life goes forward or in reverse, the most important thing is to value your relationships and make the most out of life–that is the message I got and basically what I would do if time reversed for me.
As for Valentine’s Day, my boyfriend and I are going to a party to celebrate my cousin’s birthday, which in my opinion is much more preferable than the pressure of making the day romantic.
Our motto is “Make it a great day!” no matter what day it is. Thanks for the post, Evelyn, and happy Valentine’s Day to you too!
“Have you made any special plans to let your partner know how much he or she means to you? Perhaps buying a present is not all that matters but giving the gift of time.”
I agree! We try to avoid gift giving and instead we usually spend time together. We used to go to a restaurant but I can’t stand those “romantic” valentine Day’s special with a restaurant full of couples pressured to look in love. So we stay home.
Wow! I have never seen the value of time broken down as you have in this post. I have always felt that money lost can be regained and weight gained can be lost, but time is precious and unlike energy cannot be created but can surely be lost.
Hi there Evelyn – I remember hearing once that “time is an illusion, designed to help us use the present moment better”. That rings true to me, so it’s the idea I work with – so I never think in terms of the clock ticking, or making the most of time because it is running out – I know there is plenty of “present moment” for everything! Your friend’s time intervals piece is cute!
@Daphne, my reactions were unusual. It’s the first time that I was actually crying after a movie, throughout supper and even after coming home. I also could not stop the flood of emotions, even when I tried to. I didn’t want onlookers to think something terrible happened to me. You found the movie touching? Hmmm….
@Vered, me too. We used to spend a bomb at nice dinners. The prices are really not worth it. Paying double is plain ridiculous!! I’m much happier drinking coffee and having a nice chat. I’m spending my day attending a kid’s party!
@Raj, the experience is what we go for. Time can be an illusion in itself. But time is important so that we can know about the here and now and to live in the moment fully.
Robin,
Ooops…I just came to your comment after writing my response to Raj. I realize that I have said the same thing as what you’ve written. How coincidental!! Well, what can I say? Great minds think alike!!
I like the piece of poem too!! I didn’t think about time in miliseconds. But it is true!
Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!
Evelyn
Time is an invention of man- it is certaintly an illusion that can be broken by simply “being”. I applaud you for not falling into the Valentine’s day trap. Restaurants should be ashamed of themselves for hiking up prices like they do. Tina and I did a lunch and a movie today (Friday)- plus I love her everyday, not just when Hallmark “reminds” me.
Hi Evelyn!
No I have not yet seen it, but you are the second person I have read about this movie from and I have to say I was so – so before I heard anything, but now I am really intrigued to go see it.
Time is an illusion, I know that much and breaking the confines of time is always an enlightening topic to consider.
As for leaving our loved ones, I have to say in this life time I always get the strong feeling that I have decided not to go through the typical drama and sadness that comes with loss and grieving, I really, really feel (and I do not feel funny sharing this with you) that I have experienced a lot and say enough of it in my past lives. Hence I feel people’s emotions strongly, but at the same time stay centred and rooted to enjoying this existence without fear of loss of the other – I just have this feeling that it will be very different this time… I know we are all connected and available to each other at any moment on the spiritual level. Does that erase the yearning for someone in the physical, of course not – but like I said I just feel very different about this life time and how I will experience other’s passings.
Hi Evelyn,
I watched the movie too and I love the story. If life were to go in the reverse way, I believe I wouldn’t do anything more special then just making use of the time we have in the present.
I’m celebrating Valentine’s Day at home wouldn’t want to queue for 2 hours before having the dinner.
Cheers
Vincent
Personal Development Blogger
Hi Evelyn! I haven’t watched Benjamin Button but I have heard great reviews about it from friends and now from you, so I might catch it! I think it’s amazing that you got such reactions from the movie and it’s great knowing you actually received insights on your past life from this encounter! It is a cue for me to look deeply into my reactions towards situations – not just within my current life, but also in the past. Thank you so much for sharing Evelyn!
I have not seen the movie, but if it makes you feel sadness, I don’t want to watch it. I am all about feeling good. When you make it your number one priority to feel good, then you allow yourself to ‘create from a place of positive energy’. Feeling good comes from within and when you’re not feeling good it’s because your perspective is different then that of your ‘Source’. Feelings are the language of ‘the soul’ and you can be aligned with who you really are by paying close attention to how you feel.
If I started out old, I would hope I was wise for my years too. If so I am sure many peoples lives would play out differently indeed. However, at the same time, I don’t see who it would be much different. If you notice grandparents as they grow older they lose a sense of their ability to do things. It’s like they have to start all over because they slowly forget: they forget how to drive, how to hold their bladder, how to control their body; as if they are growing younger again. As dominate as time seems to be in our lives, it seems to go in a circle or a cycle from begin to end and back to beginning again before we die. Perhaps the movie is based on this simple understanding and how complex of an idea it is at the same time.
Right now I am only sleeping 45 minutes in every 24 hours. Time has become non-realistic in all terms that time can be perceived since I am up 23 hours and 15 minutes. I come to understand time as non-existent because there is so much of it. When people refer to yesterday, I can not place when one moment to a next moment was yesterday. It is all a continuous streaming reality with no approach or separation between days and nights to me. I notice the shift from day to night but I do not shift with it in form of a schedule. Instead I listen to my physical, emotional and mental bodies in the moment to signal me when it is time to do something, you would be surprised by how much you do things based on habit of a night/ day cycle. When you consider that babies sleep in a polyphasic manner (meaning wake and asleep through a 24 hour period), it makes you wonder what we are missing by sleeping 8 hours a night. Now I know… based on this experience and I must say that life was never about time. Life was always intended to be about moments (and to rap it all together); it’s about feeling good in those moments.
@Jay, I laughed at your remark about Hallmark. I’m not intending to go somewhere expensive too. Any place to be just “being” without spending a bomb is good enough for me.
@Evita, good for you. I thought so too. That this lifetime will be different. With an increased awareness, how can it not? Still, I acknowledge that even if I should any tinge of sadness, it is really okay.
@Vincent, good for you. Time is better spent than waiting 2 hours in a queue.
@Celes, for most of the movies I’ve watched, I don’t get any over-reactions. I must be getting more sensitive this period. Hmmm…
What would I do? Live, day by day. Love, as often as I could, as strongly as capable.
We love life, not because we are used to living but because we are used to loving. –Friedrich Nietzsche
blessings to you and you dear ones, Evelyn,
CG
Great article Evelyn. I will definitely have to check out the movie sometime. Thanks
i go forwards i go backwards i go sideways ….all depends on attachment to perspective of time…kinda like which energy field (chakra) within the body you focus on…and attach yourself too…
i have found that the term ‘enlightenment’ means circulating your energy as evenly as possible, the balance issue…left-right brain balance then heart balance along with circulating north south energy …if you STAY in your head and left brain dominated as our american culture is …aging is not pretty ….most people look and feel dead by mid to late thirties…if both hemispheres are balanced…them peace and serenity help calm and RELAX you enough to be STRESS FREE which can increase your happy joy fun aging factor by three four decades of more….the heart meditation brings the anti-aging or reverse effect into play…because the whole system is in balance and dancing in harmony with universal systems …all advanced martial arts, yoga, tai chi systems work on the integration of natural energies flowing freely through the body in harmony with nature…then what age you focus your attention on …appears…sometimes i say that i will soon be sucked back into the vagina….happy valentines day embrace the flow of love everywhere dance with it and backwards appears..
Hi Evelyn,
A movie I have in the maybe basket. interesting question you ask and thank you for sharing your ‘huge” reaction to this movie
For Valentine’s Day Des &I went to see Australia and I loved the movie and the Love story in it was wonderful and yes I cried.
Happy Valentine’s Day
Namaste
Suzie
Hi Evelyn,
I watched the movie last week and gave it two thumbs up. Totally agree with what you said about Cate Blanchett … she’s brilliant! I’m not big on Valentine’s Day (nor any other “XXX Day” for that matter), but I did manage to spend quality time with people who mean a lot to me, so it was all good.
Hey Evelyn, I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I really loved that quote – to realise the value of a minute… we so often just waste our time away. It seems like just yesterday that I turned 21… what have I done since then?
Nicholas,
The movie only made me feel that way because I had some emotional stuff to clear. My friend who is only very sensitive, had no problems with watching the show. As mentioned, my reactions were not typical of me.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It’s true on how we could possibly end up needing as much help as when we were babies. I definitely don’t wish to be that way, of course. I hope to continue to be as active and mentally alert as I am now, perhaps more so since I have spent half of my life with my eyes closed.
It’s amazing that you can sleep so little! How long have you been doing this?
Life is comprised of moments put together. It’s funny that you said that too. I wrote a few lines on this for a free ebook that was launched yesterday. Which reminds me that I should go and check it out!
Thanks once again for your interesting sharing,
Evelyn
@CG Walters, thanks for sharing the loving quote. It’s very beautiful! Blessings to you & your loved ones too!
@Jonathan, watch out for Catt Blanchett’s dazzling smiles!
@Robert, thanks for sharing a very interesting perspective. It’s true what you said. Everything in harmony balances. There is no fear whatsoever in this state. All is complete and whole.
@Suzie, oh wow….I missed Australia in the cinemas. I don’t think the show is being screened anymore here. I’d have to catch it on DVD. It sounds good; going by all the reviews, your including.
Hi Evelyn,
I haven’t seen the movie, but plan to. It sounds like it really hit on something in your past life. The way you describe leaving this life is interesting. I was telling a friend about that a year or so ago, and she said, “You make it sound like moving.” I guess it is like moving, except you can’t call your friends after you get there.
Hi Evelyn. I haven’t yet seen this movie. I’ve had reactions such as you, but I can’t remember what movies they were for now. There were a lot of tears after I returned home. It felt like a gentle release as opposed to sadness and the release went very deep. I loved this comment of yours, “I embraced every part of my humanness as I fell to sleep.” You have such a talent for being with yourself without judgment. Thanks for sharing about this movie as it is on my list.
I haven’t seen Benjamin Button and I think I might wait for dvd. But I know what you mean about embracing the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death. When you believe in reincarnation as I do I think it’s a lot easier to be okay with death intellectually, but that doesn’t mean that I accept it wholly and unconditionally as a positive spiritual process. I like to think I am not afraid to die myself, but when I consider death in others it terrifies me. I am not at a point where I can accept the impermanence of life in children or anyone I love deeply. However, I know I am not alone with this struggle, as I find most people are the same, and hopefully I have a long journey ahead of me and plenty of time to come to a place of peace with this fact of life.
Happy Valentines Day my friend.
Kelly xxx
@Dot, what a great insight!! Death is just like moving our home and in this case our physical existence. Well, I’m sure that we’ll get to meet our friends and family in spirit somehow.
@Davina, you’ve got previous reactions like mine?? Initially, I thought I was nuts! Now that’s judgement!
@Kelly, you have a way of articulating more of my thoughts. Yes, it appears that death is easier to accept on an intellectual level with an understanding of the cycle of life. I’d like to think of it as a positive spiritual experience nonetheless. However, in all its positiveness, there is still the element of sadness in the illusion that the relationships we have built in this life is about to end when death draws near. The sadness is part of being very human. It’s in the experiencing of happiness and joy. It’s part of why we are here. Blessings of love to you – Happy belated Valentine’s Day!!
I’ll come back and comment on this again after I see the movie. I’m not sure if you give any of the plot away or not, but I will be back.
I love both those actors so I am sure I will enjoy it.
I seriously like that mail from your inspiration folder.
Value is all relative and it’s great to have perspective.
Evelyn — I haven’t seen this movie yet and probably will not until it comes out on DVD. I tend to cry easily at movies. When I was a teen, I used to really embarrass my dates when we went to a sad movie. Out of Africa about did me in!
I loved your comment, “Love is the essence even while there is no physical existence. Spirit is eternal.” This really captures how I feel. We go on, even when our physical bodies do not.
Great post and thanks for sharing yourself!
I love Cate Blanchett! I think she’s a wonderfully talented under-rated actress. I intend to watch the movie for her, not Brad Pitt. :p I suspect I’ll end up with tears as well. Somehow watching certain scenarios on screen makes me feel extreme sadness even though I have not personally experienced it (in this life). Now that you’ve mentioned it, I won’t be surprised if all my tears had been invoked by some past life memory.
@Jannie, do come back!! I’d be interested to read what thoughts you have about the show.
@J.D. Meier, oh yes….my inspiration folder is a great resource!
@Sara, if you tend to cry in movies, then I’d agree with you that it may be a good idea to catch the show in a dvd.
@Winnie, not a Brad Pitt fan? I’m no longer going ga-ga over him. But I have to admit that he looked rather cool while riding the motorbike in the show.
If you notice that your reactions are out-of-proportion (in my case, it definitely was), it is an indication that you can try tuning in to check if there is a root cause to them.
Hi Evelyn,
I have not had a chance to see the movie yet. I spent valentine’s day alone and focused on me. I wrote a post about it.
I didn’t worry so much about time when I was in my 20′s, I thought I had all the time in the world, now I try my best to do something constructive, productive or fun every day. I think I would do the same if I was aging backwards. I do not fear death but I do fear not living my life on purpose.
Thank you
Michelle – Lifeposter x
I’m saving that one for when it comes out in DVD. I’m sure though that like you, it will be accompanied by plenty of balling and ideas that are worth sharing.
Hey Evelyn,
It’s so wonderful hearing that a movie can be so beneficial for you, helping with the releasing of energy from past lives even!
I loved how the movie also reminded us that no matter how old or young or whatever we are, we always have the chance to start anew and get a new lease on life. The option to make life what we want is always available. What a refreshing and uplifting and liberating message!
i don´t even waste a single second about thinking in time. time is an instrument invented by modern and nasty measure-freaks only for one reason: to get daily duties and routines organized. but hey, before time was announced as a tool to do work, ppl survided and organized their lifes almost better. time doesn´t really exist, doesn´t count. time is nothing in comparison to eternity, an eternity is now
Great post Evelyn, I am glad I discovered your site. Compassion is the highest form of love. Compassion has no motivation or goal; it is just a state of unconditional love. Keep growing, keep evolving, and keep shining sister
- Ivan Campuzano
P.S. Seeing as that we have similar interests here is a post I would like to share with you “How To Develop Your 6th Sense Intuition” hope you like it.
http://ivancampuzano.com/how-to-develop-your-6th-sense-intuition/
@Michelle, you’re doing wonderful in inspiring others with your site! I have the same fear too. To die and not know that I have spent my life meaningfully. The fear or motivation is what drives me to be in this line of work.
@Dan, great idea to watch it on DVD
@Ariel, thanks for sharing the message you’ve learned from the movie. I’ve not thought of it from that angle. Great perspective there!
@wildandivine, time has a purpose to fulfill. For one, it helps us to relate to events in a relative sense. We have chosen this incarnation to experience life, not forgetting. The issue is not time per se but how we have been spending our time.
@Ivan, thank you for sharing a link to your post. I’ll be checking it out in a minute.
Evelyn,
Somehow I stumbled upon your blog, and then this article, via a posting that you (I think) made earlier tonight on Twitter.
Anyway, my wife and I saw “Benjamin Button” about a month ago, and I had a similar reaction. I somehow thought I had seen an earlier version of the movie, with Robin Williams, but that turned out to be something else entirely. But it prompted me to track down the original story — which was *not* a novel, as your blog implies, but actually a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It’s available on the Internet, and since it *is* short, I encourage you to read it — partly to see how far afield the movie went (in a good way, I think), and also to see how different Fitzgerald’s perspective was.
For example, in Fitzgerald’s story, “Button” is born and “raised” (loosely speaking) in 1870, in Baltimore. He joins the army, is a hero, goes to Yale, etc, etc — a whole bunch of things that are quite different in the movie. It’s also interesting that Fitzgerald published his story in 1926 or thereabouts; again, a very different perspective, as compared to the movie that uses “Katrina” as a central event around which (the end of) the story revolves…
Cheers,
Ed Yourdon
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