Life lessons learned from books, music, TV, and movies

[A.J.]

I was talking to someone about life lessons we pickup as children through the books, music, TV and music we are exposed to and it made me wonder what lessons others think they've learned from the same.

 

Eric (book by Doris Lund) - Eric is about a teen boy that gets diagnosed with leukemia and refuses to give up living.  It was written by his mother after his death.  We read this book in 9th grade.  I cried a lot.  Years later I read it again after the death of two dear friends that passed within a year of each other from different cancers.  I think it taught me numerous lessons about not giving up, grief, and accepting the hand you're dealt but not being limited by it.

 

Nobody's Hero (music by the band Rush) - The first stanza deals with the death of a gay man known to the song's writer.  For the time it was released (1994) it was a statement by a rock band denouncing homophobia.  The song came out about the time I realized I was gay.  I was young and still struggling with it.  The song's lyrics and overall message really resonated with me.  It reinforced what I already knew to be true that we must accept others and their differences are not a threat to us.  This song also inspired me to learn bass guitar.

 

The Lion King (movie) - In the end, you can't run away from your past forever.  You have to go back and face it.

 

ST:TNG (TV) - A lot of lessons in this one, but one that immediately comes to mind is from the episode The Defector where Picard says ""If the cause is just and honorable, they are prepared to give their lives."  I remember it resonating with me as a child and the memory of it stuck with me as I saw movies like Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers, or thought about the passengers on Flight 93.

 

I've only listed one of mine in each category because I really want to hear what others have to say.

[Former Member]

From the Tales of the City books, I learned that you could build your own Chosen Family who would support you in ways that your biological family couldn’t.

 

And I thought that ST:NG’s life lesson was that there was a reset button between each episode!  ;-)

[FormerMember4]

Musically I was inspired by David Bowie. Of course there was the bisexuality rumors. As a teen, his expression was fascinating to me. Whether or not it was gimmick. He helped me express myself and find out who I was. The man produced some fine music.

Life lesson: Be free to be you.

Edited September 19, 2017 by BlindAmbition

[Brayon]

Book:

Lord of the Flies - William Golding - I learned that immaturity will cause problems in any group setting, and that if you're different, you will be singled out. We were required to read it in High School, and while I enjoyed the book and both movies, there was some insight into High School behaviors from the book.

 

Movie:

Star Wars: EP4, 5, and 6 - Dream big, and Good will always defeat Evil in the end.

 

TV:

M*A*S*H - Find humor in the most darkest of places.

 

Music:

Stand in the Gap - Petra (Christian Rock) - A Two-for on this one. 1. Sometimes, all you have is Prayer (positive thoughts, good mojo, etc.) to rely on to get through the tough times, and 2. Always help out friends, even if it's just being there.

[William King]

Pinocchio (I learned what happens if you tell a lie) and the other Grimm's fairy tales. They were read to me when I was young and scared the shit out of me. No way did I want to grow a huge nose, get lost in the woods, or eaten by wolves! Fairy tales indeed, they should come with a warning - not to be read to sensitive little boys - gave me nightmares. Oh and life's lessons: don't tell lies and never go down to the woods alone (you can't rely on breadcrumbs)!