Why
do we feel for characters in stories? Getting emotionally involved
with a cartoon figure in a final fantasy game or guy portrayed by
such and such actor that was in another movie you like. The people
hurling the air at a hundred miles per hour and your gut starts
wrenching. It doesn't have to even be the main character that will
get hurt or killed and your literally sad that that person is no
longer with us. I feel like there are some movies or games that I get
more emotionally involved with than I do the people around me. They
tell stories of way more struggle and hardship than I'm looking for,
yet it doesn't matter how many times a person gets shot, how many
times they said a sentence they thought would be their last, I still
find myself wanting to be there and wanting to be them. How
these makeshift families get formed between the characters that are
so strong. It's such a weird form of chemistry I'd venture to
call it love. Pure love and passion that someone has put into telling
a story that you couldn't help yourself if you tried to not want more
of it. I just got done watching the movie Serenity which was formed
after the fans of the show Firefly decided that simply calling
something cancelled was not enough to consider it dead. These
people portray that love in a such a way that I don't want to think
that there won't be another movie or that they won't bring the show
back. The deeper connection that makes them a family no matter who
leaves or what threats get passes back and forth. So many crazy
experiences they all share. It just really is bothering me think that
I can find this feeling from watching a tv show, playing a game, or
reading a book, but don't feel a part of something like it in my
everyday life. There's no homework or bills in these worlds.
Stay alive and stay together. So simple and direct that I find it
amazing how much more truth and love is exchanged than in real life.
Well then again, perhaps there's the catch.
When
I say I want to be free and simple I feel like if I could escape to
the adventurous and dramatic worlds that don't exist and be surround
by the types of people that seem to "get it" in the same
way I do, then no matter what boss battle was up next, or spiraling
spaceship falling out of the sky I was on, if any moment was
potentially my time to die I would never be afraid and never feel
alone. This is the very reason god was created. It's why I get
frustrated when people talk of giving their lives and acting on the
behalf of one. As wrong as it would be for me to lose myself
completely into a world of spaceships and powers it's just as wrong
for people to get lost in their faith. I truly do
understand that feeling, everyone does. I see the true passion come
through the beautiful artwork and stories of the things I like. You
can say the same for your interests. Try to convince me, I dare you,
to downplay the significances they had in my life. How they
influenced my thoughts or actions. How they helped me adapt a new
mannerism or way of looking at things. This is the significance that
I try to respect in people's lives no matter what they attribute it
to. Where is the line when it goes from being an important part in
the intricate machine that it essentially you, and instead become a
whole mess of "the rest" that real life is always pilling
on? Life is a game, earth is the playing field, you have your will to
be set, go. All the stress, all the lack of love is just other
players trying to cheat you out of what your trying to win. They will
get in your way until you may not even realize what you've won or
what you should be looking for.
This
is a glaring endorsement for both the series Firefly and the movie
Serenity and I hope they can move you in the same kind of way they
have me.
