Are You Really Happy?????...

In the wonder years of childhood, the innocent kid within us cannot help but to speculate what we will be like in our adult years. We imagine the spouse we will have. We dream about the career that will unfold. And, often pretend play it into a child type reality. Often times we even fathom the pets we will own and what our “mansion” will be like. More times then not we see ourselves successful and fully content. Boy, life will be grand. After all, it is adulthood when we “can do what we want”.

Fast-forward tens of years later. You are nearing your 40th birthday. When alas, yourself as a nearly eight-year-old appears to psychoanalyze just how you are doing. Thinking about your life today, how would it sum up in comparison to the dreams that manifested in childhood?

That is exactly what unfolds in Disney’s The Kid.

Bruce Willis stars as Russ Duritz, a high-powered and very successful image consultant. He is nearing is 40th birthday. A definite err of arrogance is portrayed well. Russ outwardly appears to have it all together. His attire is immaculate. His success at business keeps him well occupied. The plot opens with a real to life glimpse into this busy executive’s adulthood. Life is so good. Or, is it?

Life as Russ knows it is abruptly agitated when Rusty (Spencer Breslin), himself as an 8-year-old child mysteriously enters the scene. Rusty makes an appearance as a slightly nerdish, pudgy, blunt, annoying, but kind little kid. Suddenly what seemed like such success to Russ is revisited with his dreams as a kid. Will this child be happy with himself as an Adult? NO! Rusty is extremely unhappy with whom he turned out to be. “A 40 year old loser with no dog, no wife and no fun.” The Kid helps Russ learn about himself and recall his dreams as a kid so he may become the grown up he wants to be.

What appears at first to be a peculiar plot, turns out to be a great way of mirroring to us what we: lose as we grow up, gain responsibility, acquire massive material belongings, and most sadly - lose the ability to wonder and dream. We are quickly shown the value of life and reminded that “things” don’t bring happiness. This reminded me quickly of Matthew 6:19-21. Where Jesus tells us, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Sadly, Russ clearly is missing out on true treasure! Yes work is important. However, through the business of success, he is missing out on true happiness. This is apparent through his fiery tongue. Lily Tomlin is cast as Janet, Russell's over-worked secretary. Fortunately, Rusty appears as a wake-up call.

Given this very well presented portrayal of ones ability to put too much value on materialism, makes it a great movie for teenagers and adults. My initial response is that this movie, although enjoyed by my 5 & 9 year old, is more for adults then kids. I realized quickly though that through my providing them a summary of the story plot, our children could gain insight to the remarkable life lesson presented.

In summary, "The Kid" allowed me to reflect upon my childhood and how I've changed as I grew up. It allowed for me to gain understanding of why I appreciate my career now. I adored playing teacher as a child. Because of better income potential, I persevered in other areas of employment. Slightly over six years ago, I went back to my career desire – children. I wonder how many of us truly know in childhood what we want to do career wise. Only to allow greed to overtake our career path.

Many of us get consumed with the routines of life and forget about the simplistic wonders. Thankfully my 5-year-old makes certain that I realize all of Gods beauty!

But then there is the subject of materialism. Unfortunately I, too, have gravitated to some over importance of materialistic items, and not allowed enough time for my friendships.

I am now even more awake! This movie reinforced to me the importance of helping our children to journal. Also, is provided a great support for childs play!

This movie had no swearing, no sexual scenes, no drugs. The only encounter of violence was a school yard fight. It was mild and important to the story plot.