Oscar Schindler stands before a handful of Jewish people he’s become endeared to, lives he helped to save. With agony, he proclaims his frustration and regret. He outwardly confesses how he could have done more for the Jews, helped more, and saved more. Once he “gets” the impact he’s had he doesn’t bloat with pride. Instead, he’s plagued with wanting to do more. He looks down at his watch and then over at his car. He sees the lives he could have saved if he’d only given more, if he’d only done more.
This scene towards the end of Schindler’s List is one of the most memorable scenes from any movie for me.
Here’s why: I want to think like this. Let me explain. I want to have the “one more” mentality. I desire to absorb that visionary way of thinking. Given, I don’t want to lean into the regret or self-doubt expressions Schindler couldn’t help but have, but instead I want to have these thoughts as a motivator.
Every morning I wake up I want to remember that there is a reason I am here. That, in part, is why I write. This morning I read on a friend’s blog how very many people there are out there trying to get published. It forced me to consider, why do I do it, why do I pour so much of myself into my writing? I believe I’d write even if I were the only one to read my works. However, I do want to leave an impact. I may not be saving lives through my writing, but I’ll also never know the extent of my influence through the written word.
Seldom do we realize just how much we are influencing those around us.
I don’t know about you, but I want to be a “just one more” kind of woman.
Amen! Love that thought!
ReplyDeleteDeep thoughts on this Monday morning. I like it :)
ReplyDeleteConstantly striving to do more sounds like a wonderful challenge we should all hold onto. Wonderful thought!
ReplyDeleteVery inspiring post, and so true that we're not doing this just for ourselves, but in the hopes that in some way, someone else is touched, moved, helped, entertained. Our interest in others keeps us putting that pen to paper with our creations. It makes writing seem so much more than its "solitary" definition.
ReplyDeleteI so agree! I want to make a difference in one person's life by what I've written.
ReplyDeleteI believe you will, Wendy--you have the right heart:)
Popped in from SITS to say hi! What a wonderful outlook on writing as opposed to "I want to be rich and famous!"
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts! They brighten my day. :D
ReplyDeleteGlad I could help get your thoughts running on full speed this morning! :) We can always complain: there are already enough people doing God's work, why does he need me? But he just wants us to walk in obedience, one step at a time!
ReplyDeleteWe all have something special to give to the world. The older I get, the less I hold back. Thanks for the uplifting post!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment on my post. It was the first. I really didn't know anyone was reading it. Anyway, your words here have inspired me. I also will continue to write even if I am the only one to read it.
ReplyDeleteDuring my blog break these past few weeks, I really began to see that I write because I love it. To take something you love & share it with a humble heart, offering it to "one more"...well, that is the most beautiful thing you could do.
ReplyDeleteCK, Amen to you, sister. :D
ReplyDeleteTess, it's fun walking around earth with you.
Eileen, striving...yes.
Joanne, you had me thinking about the word solitary for awhile.
Terri, I believe you might be trying to make me cry. :D
Blonde Duck, I'm already rich and famous...okay, I'm getting punchy.
Jody, I'm thankful for people like you who push my thoughts to a new place.
Danyelle, (ohps, reversed order...told you I was getting punchy) It's so nice to see your face! Thanks for the kindness.
Jill, I like the idea of not holding back.
Lazy Writer, I liked how on your post you wrote something about aggresively looking for an agent. It made me think of football for some strange reason.
Kristen, your last sentence was worded with care and wonder. I'm enjoying getting to know you.
I am grateful for you all!
~ Wendy
Thank you for your comment on my blog. I, too, can agree that I would write even if I were the only one to read the words. It's healing, therapeutic, and hmmm.....freeing. I love it and it makes me feel lighter and less burdened when I can put it down in word. I love how you wrote this blog and definitely feel that I want to be "one more". Keep writing, and may you offer beauty and continued influence in your written words. God bless. <3
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy,
ReplyDeleteLoved your last two posts! I too would write even if my two eyes were the only ones who ever read what I wrote. The process somehow has a ripple effect on the world, the likes of which we probably will never fully know. Your post reminded me why "It's A Wonderful Life," is my favorite movie. George discovers he didn't have to leave darling, little Bedford Falls to have a huge impact on the world. So in my suburban world, I write trusting that God is working through me.
Also, "surreal"? It's old. Personally, when I was a contestant on The Price Is Right years back, I never used the term. I just focused on making a graceful exit if I lost (I won the whole showcase and worried needlessly. Isn't worry uesless?)
As always, thanks for visiting my blog!
:-) Stephanie
PS I read Crazy Love. It was great and perfect to use for young girls. I worked in a domestic violence shelter early in my career as a mental health therapist and any awareness we can raise around this issue for the youth is very valuable. I saw that you are reading this in your list.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Wendy! This is a perfect fit for my writing project this week: "Why I Blog." May I link here?
ReplyDeleteYou are speaking to me heart, girl.
Mama J, God Bless you too. I like how you wrote the word freeing.
ReplyDeleteStephanie, It's funny you should mention, It's a Wonderful Life. I just bought a rustic sign with those exact words. Chapter 4 of Crazy Love has been the most convicting/motivating thing I think I have ever read.
Jennifer, after reading your posts I'd be honored to be associated with you in ANY way. Link away! :D
With Hope,
~ Wendy
Wendy, this is my first visist to your blog. I pop in on many blogs just once but I think I'll be back to yours.
ReplyDeleteThis post made me cry. Partly because I'm at the place in life where I feel this way, seeing the billions of "one more." Partly because it took me way too long to get here.
Wendy, we're probably throwing your Google analytics completely off (if you even pay attention to them) because we've had your playlist going here for a couple of hours.
ReplyDeleteI clicked the first few letters of your blog for the cookie to come up, and it automatically took me to this post. I loved reading it again, and seeing my previous comment.
I love you!
PS: I haven't watched Schindler's List in years. I think I'll give it another look, with this post in mind.
ReplyDelete