The Power of Words
unsplash image @faithgiant
I watched Ghost at the weekend, the film with Patrick Swayze, Whoopie Goldberg and Demi Moore.
I’ve never seen it before because a friend at university told me it wasn’t suitable for a Christian to watch; it’s about a medium talking to the dead. The same friend wouldn’t go and see Dirty Dancing because it’s about abortion. (Dirty Dancing was one of my dad’s favourite movies and I must have watched that tens of times.)
What is it about Patrick Swayze that makes him so contentious? I’m sure said friend would also shun his other film Keeping Mum because he plays a golf pro who seduces a vicar’s wife – honestly it is an hilarious black comedy with Rowan Atkinson and Maggie Smith in too – it’s worth looking out for.
My friend and I lost touch many years ago, not because of her strict views or disagreements over doctrine, just the usual moving in different circles and lives going in opposite directions.
She dropped out of her course and as far as I can tell she is not on social media - maybe for deep theological reasons or perhaps she has married and changed her name. I ponder sometimes what she is doing now and how she is coping with the modern world – she never truly fitted in, even back in the 90s.
But, back to Ghost – over the years I’ve not been bothered about never seeing it. Other well-meaning Christians have also suggested it might not be good to watch from a spiritual perspective and then when Andrew died, I was advised not to watch it because it just might upset me too much seeing Demi Moore’s character grieving over the loss of a loved one.
Scrolling for something to watch on Saturday evening I found it and decided that I am in a good place and if it stirred up any strong emotions, I could always turn it off and watch something else.
My honest view, it’s a decent story for its time. There’s a heaven for those who those who have lived a good life and a hell for those who cheat, embezzle, and kill. Overall, it’s quite moralistic not anti-Christian at all.
It doesn’t make me want to commune with the dead, or make me miss Andrew any more or any less. It is a STORY, fiction, something made up for entertainment and it was good to finally watch it and lay those ghosts to rest.
I spent a lot of the film closely watching Demi Moore – what a great actor she is. I’ve most recently seen her in a documentary on Disney+ called Brats about her time with the “so called” Brat Pack of actors from the late 80s and early 90s – Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Emilio Estevez etc
Being an ardent fan of this group of actors I was delighted the documentary was on a platform I have access to and could watch. Films like The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful and St Elmo’s fire defined by adolescence.
They had a huge impact on the actors lives too – not the films themselves but the label “The Brat Pack”. They were lumped together as a group who were spoiled and entitled, rather than individual talented actors. For some work dried up and they have never shaken off the unfair label.
It all goes to remind me once again the power of words. Words are sticky and stay with you.
Words spoken to me that stopped me from watching a film.
Words written about actors which, in some cases, blighted their careers – Brats is a great documentary if you get the chance to watch it.
A couple of days ago I was sitting in a café with some writing friends and we were discussing having a word for the year.
I’d never really thought about it before but writing this I’ve just decided my word for the year is POWER.
Not POWER for world domination – there are too many who want to wield that – no I’m talking about the power I have at my fingertips and on the tip of my tongue to influence people with my words.
Words can so easily be dismissive, cruel, and spiteful but I’m going to try very hard to think before I use them so they are compassionate, thoughtful, loving, and helpful.
You have my permission to challenge me if I abuse my power!