Knowing - Love Tempts Fate

Actress Rose Byrne said this about her film, “It’s a constant human desire to want to understand as much as we can about how long we're going to be around. People have been trying to figure it out forever. And whether it's Mayans or Muslims or Hindus, everyone has a theory on what's going to happen.” I totally agree. The various religions and philosophies generally fall into two schools of thought: 1) Fate. 2) Determination. In other words: 1) you cannot change your fate. 2) You are responsible for the direction of your future. Personally I believe in both. Life is a mix of both. The popular proverb says it well, “When life gives you lemons (fate), make lemonade (determination).” You, me and everyone else are responsible for the future we leave our children. The message in the film is Love = Determination!

Push - Moving On

Although the film has been criticized for being incoherent, it does deliver a very important message: Despite difficulties, move forward with your life, even in the face of death. And that message is presented in a eye-popping cinematic style not often experienced. I like the style and I like the message. I only wish the delivery had been better.

Ulysses S. Grant said something that really fits PUSH –and your life:
“The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can. Strike him as hard as you can, and keep moving on.”

APPLICATION
1. Identify the enemies of your soul.
2. Do what you know you must to overcome.
3. Commit to moving on.

PUSH ON
“When a thing is done, it's done. Don't look back. Look forward to your next objective.”
--George C. Marshall

Taken - The passion of Bryan Mills

The passion of Bryan Mills to save his beloved daughter goes along with something that Bette Davis once said, “My passions were all gathered together like fingers that made a fist. Drive is considered aggression today; I knew it then as purpose.” In fact, this could have been a line in the movie.

Passion must lead to aggressive action or it isn’t true passion. In ‘Taken’ Bryan Mills’ passion driven actions are centered in his love for his daughter. Ice T once said, “Passion makes the world go round. Love just makes it a safer place.” And there in is the message of this film!