The Capacity for Crazy Stupid Change
I’ve got pretty varied taste in movies. Some of my favorites: Terms of Endearment, Sling Blade, District 9, Day After Tomorrow, Moonlight, and most recently Call Me by Your Name and Black Panther. I think what I connect with is the portrayal of an essential element of human truth…which isn’t always written into a script, or even if it is, isn’t always portrayed effectively by actors. A lot of movies try, but fall flat. But when it works, it works, even when the movie seems lightweight or hokey. So bear with me. Crazy, Stupid, Love can teach us all some lessons.
When Steph Willett and I traveled to Richmond last November for the Richmond marathon, I was a little down: in a boot after PRP to my achilles, which had prevented me from running since July ’17. I was of course excited to travel and hang with my team (I really needed it)…and I also needed something to keep me from moping. In hotel movies are the best!
When we flipped on the TV and I saw Crazy, Stupid, Love was just starting, I squealed with excitement. I think Steph gave me a bemused raise of the eyebrows, “you’re really into this movie, eh?” [I just made up the “eh” part – Canadian jokes.] I hunkered down for every word of the movie, commenting and laughing…and yep crying. I know, it’s ridiculous. And then after the movie I felt So. Much. Better. Lightened, yes, but also hopeful. In a true, deep way, hopeful for the capacity of true change. Remarkably better.
I don’t want to give away the whole plot (because you’re certainly going to watch this movie immediately haha), but I’m going to try to explain the essence. One of the characters has lived his whole life a certain way, he’s “that type” of person. In the way that we tend to characterize people as “being” a certain way. And then he changes, but the people in his life don’t believe he can change and still hate him. But then you (the watcher) realize that he actually has changed, and finally people in his life recognize it also.
They ALLOW him to change.
Whoa, that really resonated with me. How caught up are we in categorizing people, in using conflict to put people in a box? Arguments (online) and even in real life are used for defining how someone “is”, not for educating and allowing for change. What would happen if we used conflict to explain viewpoints, and then graciously allowed someone (or ourselves) to change? It sounds crazy and stupid, but I love how a fluff movie can open a window of hope.
MORE STORIES
Core Routine For Runners: The Dozen
I was introduced to the "The Dozen" in the winter of 2012 by my favorite Oregon running family. I love this set of core exercises for its efficient targeting of core muscle groups, and because no gym equipment is required! You can do this on a grass field, in your hotel room, or really anywhere you can lay on a flat surface.
Reflecting on the Year of the Underbird
This past August, we launched our Year of the Underbird program: an open application for aspiring Olympic Trials marathoners, with a promise to select 5 women for a 6 month contract encompassing a stipend, gear, storytelling, and community support. As we reach the end of our flight with our selected athletes, we invited each of them to share a few reflections on their past 6 months as teammates.
Black History Month: Celebrating Our Athletes
We are honored to support five exceptional Black women athletes challenging norms in the running industry: athletes, advocates, and powerful voices in the sport. We invited each of them to reflect on their journeys through sport: how their identity has affected their development, and how they hope to impact the rising generation of athletes. Hear from Madie Boreman, Kendra Coleman, Brenna Detra, Carmen Pelar Graves, and Ari Hendrix-Roach.