One heck of a philosophy for life {a positive thread to offset some negative interactions here}

POSTED BY: Murkymerc
UPDATED: Friday, March 3, 2006 01:43
VIEWED: 5535
PAGE 1 of 2

1 2 NEXT PAGE

MURKYMERC

Wednesday, March 1, 2006 1:49 AM

Is anyone else blow away by the general philosophy of Mal. Here is a man who has lost almost everything, but has identified the few things that are his. The philosophy really resonates for me because it reminds me of the philosophy of Viktor Frankl. I don't want to get too cheesy or touchy feely here, but I think there are times in my life where Mal is one heck of an example on how to deal with loss.

I really became obsessed with Firefly when I had a reoccurrence of grief about the death of my father who passed this Thanksgiving (those of you who have experienced the death of a closely related person understand that the grief comes in waves. This show took me to another world where I could escape the grief I was feeling. I guess I am just thrilled that it also taught me something too that I could apply with my own life.

I guess the take away is that sometimes you just have to be happy that you are still flying.

AUSSAY

Wednesday, March 1, 2006 2:02 AM

Sorry to hear about your loss, but Im gald Firefly helped you through it

It's weird how a tv characte can touch people in such way, but it truly has for me. I guess i thank Joss for creating him and Nathan for really owning that role. Also the Ballad of Serenity is such a moving song, not just for the show but for life. "You cant take the sky from me" is such simple but amazing line for me

"Shake your head boy, your eyes are stuck"

www.fireflyfans.net
http://www.browncoatsriseagain.com/

HOTARU31

Wednesday, March 1, 2006 2:15 AM

I think you just summed up exactly what is so special about this show and why there are so many fans of it, i.e. why we're all here still talking about it.

Mal is especially great because he's relatable. He makes mistakes, he's stubborn and has his own personality flaws but he is still an amazing person who always tries to do the right thing in the end.

"how could you do that? how could you shame me in front of new people?"

MILFORD

Wednesday, March 1, 2006 2:20 AM

My condolences. I lost my dad when I was 10 near Christmas. Tough, but not impossible to overcome. If thinking about Mal helps, think about Mal every day. Whatever gets you through. It's a heck of a lot better than other things you can turn to that's for sure.

As for Mal being an example, I think of him and his philosophy often, because he seems more like a real person than other heroes, he's easier to relate to. The idea that he's lost but keeps on going resonates with me. Losing someone as important as a father could and should be crippling, but instead we keep on keeping on, just like Mal.We focus on the good and use it to gets us through.

Oddly enough, as a kid it was my identification with Houston Oilers running back Earl Campbell that helped me. When I felt like giving up I'd remember watching Earl run through defenders with my dad. I kept that picture of his tenacity in my head and used, and still use, it all the time.

Latch on to Mal if you want. Should Joss or Nathan ever find out that they helped you through a tough time, I'm sure they'd be thrilled. By the way, if you ever want to chat, I'm usually around. No Browncoat has to go it alone.

Remember, that but for one trifling exception, the entire universe is made up of others.- Oliver Wendall Holmes

MURKYMERC

Wednesday, March 1, 2006 3:29 AM

Thanks to you all. I will be honest. I am not real optimistic about another movie, much less a return to the small screen (I am going to keep trying regardless), however, at least we all have each other.

MILFORD

Wednesday, March 1, 2006 4:03 AM

We'll all enjoy it together WHEN they make a twentieth anniversary sequel to Serenity to cap off a fifteen year Emmy winning run of the revamped series.

Either way, we're all here for each other no matter what.

Remember, that but for one trifling exception, the entire universe is made up of others.- Oliver Wendall Holmes

NUCLEARDAY

Wednesday, March 1, 2006 4:22 AM

Yeah, you gotta love Mal, especially with all his character flaws. I love how the whole crew sort of has to lean on each other at times to get them through, and how Mal is the one that holds them all together.

I also understand what you mean about dealing with loss. There have been times in my past when the grief hit me, or hit everyone else but me at various times and I only wish I had something as good as Firefly to latch on to for something of an escape. (All I had was S Club 7... :)

________________________________________________
You can take my hope when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers.

SAMEERTIA

Wednesday, March 1, 2006 4:22 AM

MurkyMerc,
Hi, and welcome to the best place in the 'verse!

I lost my father in July of last year after a long and painful illness. And yes, the grief comes in waves, and eats you up and spits you out and then comes back for more.

And yes, Firefly was one of my salvations during the darkness, so I can identify. That Mal picks up and goes on was an inspiration, but it was actually Kaylee, always looking to the bright side of things, that reminded me that the darkness doesn't last forever.

THEPISTONENGINE

Wednesday, March 1, 2006 4:37 AM

Reminds me of a Peter Gabriel song, "I Grieve"

JUSTSHINY

Wednesday, March 1, 2006 6:11 AM

Well, no one has passed away in my family. My condolenses to those who have lived through the experience. I don't know how I will, but I'll have to.

Also, my condolenses to NuclearDay for only having S Club 7...

But I do understand the wave's of saddness. I'm a pretty happy person, but I hide emotions, then they creep up on me, and explode. Luckily, I was at my house when it happened. I didn't exactly have Firefly at the time, but now whenever I get to sad, I just think about Serenity.

She always keeps going, one way or another, even though she has to rely on other people sometimes (everyone does, even when we don't wanna). The crew may or may not have faith in anything else, but they got faith in her.

And so do I.

1 2 NEXT PAGE