Lightly Child, Lightly.

~ Live & Learn

Do you want to see the most beautiful thing I’ve ever filmed? It was one of those days when it’s a minute away from snowing, and there’s this electricity in the air, you can almost hear it. And this bag was just, dancing with me, like a little kid beggin’ me to play with it – for fifteen minutes. And that’s the day I realized that there was this entire life behind things, and this incredibly benevolent force that wanted me to know that there was no reason to be afraid, ever. Video’s a poor excuse, I know. But it helps me remember – I need to remember. Sometimes, there’s so much beauty in the world – I feel like I can’t take it, like my heart is just going to cave in.

— Wes Bentley [Ricky Fitts] American Beauty (1999) Written by Alan Ball. Directed by Sam Mendes.

Notes:

  • Quote via Vale of Soul Making.
  • Post Title & Inspiration: Aldous Huxley: “It’s dark because you are trying too hard. Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply. Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them.”

20 thoughts on “Lightly Child, Lightly.”

  1. Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
    There’s so much beauty … and that’s what we need now!! … “But it helps me remember – I need to remember. Sometimes, there’s so much beauty in the world – I feel like I can’t take it, like my heart is just going to cave in.” Wes Bentley [Ricky Fitts] American Beauty (1999) Written by Alan Ball. Directed by Sam Mendes.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. I remember this scene from American Beauty — it’s stayed with me in vivid detail for 20 years. I think of it often, especially when I see a plastic bag blowing in the wind, but not only then. Thanks for validating my fascination with it, Dave.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  6. This stopped me in my tracks today, pal, as I have been struggling mightily in recent days to elevate the beauty in the world around me to such a degree that it can push out the nasty, selfish, self-serving behavior and steady drumbeat of sadness. Have been leaning into sunshine, birdsong and cloud banks like my life depended upon it….

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a Reply