If not, you are really missing out. Not because it’s a great movie, but because it has a whole plethora of one liners… ones that I tend to use a little way too often.
Like “Oy Vey, Everybody!” Said by Maurice, King Julian’s side kick. Brought to life with the voice talents of Cedric the Entertainer.
Now, what this has to do with Thanksgiving… well I am not really sure yet. Just go with it.
See, I watch a few kids besides my own on any given day… and one of these said kids loves, loves, LOVES, Madagascar. I mean, she doesn’t just love it… she has a rather unhealthy relationship with the movie. When she first started coming to me, she would do NOTHING but ask to watch. So instead of battling with her (the tears, the screaming—yah really) I would just let her watch it. We have now weaned her to once a week… yes a week!
Now that I know the whole movie by heart and could probably recite it backwards, I tend to think about all the implications of the movie. What was really behind the ideals and reasons they did everything? This is just my interpretations so don’t go all theological on me, okay?
But when I am forced to listen… over and over again… I can’t help but analyze the “ellipses” in the movie.
The movie is all about the American Dream. Always striving for the greener grass; the golden egg; the things that could be. This mentality can be very tiring… even for the “American Dreamers” who are never satisfied with enough.
I admit, I am one of them. Ouch… it only stings a little.
There are a lot more messages in Madagascar then this… and some positive ones too… ones that our children can really get into and learn from… but this is the one I want to address for me… for today.
Why is it that I can’t just be thankful for the things I have right now? Why is it that I always think I need more? Why do I need to keep up with the Jones’ and WHO the heck are these people anyway and why do they have what I want?!
Ahem…
I don’t pretend to know the answer to this. Maybe it’s greed. Probably it’s the deception that I need more to be happy (just like in Madam Blueberry… I really want those ceramic jars to keep all my sauces).
With the economy in such a way and some of my very good friends being out of jobs right now, I need to attempt to be thankful for the things God has given me.
Health, family, coffee, and those really fuzzy socks that make my toes nice and toasty (you know the ones!). I want to be thankful for what I have and stop striving to fill up my life with so much stuff that my world (tree house) threatens to fall over.
What are you thankful for today?
