Television has changed a lot since I was a kid. I grew up having access to seven channels and a vast collection of VHS and DVDs.
Now with the advance of technology, we are completely (over)saturated with content. We have satellite and cable television, Netflix, Hulu, HBOgo, Vudu, Youtube, and various other streaming apps that give us access to watch and share our stories.
We have countless genres: romantic comedy, drama, reality shows, action, adventure, independent films, international films…
My love for travel naturally leads me to genres like international films. What can I learn about these countries from the content that they make?
Many of the Asian dramas I watch have a male protagonist who is handsome, wealthy, and desirable. Now enters the leading lady who is undesirable (although in real life she is a model and their idea of making her ugly is throwing a pair of glasses on her face and a matted wig) her character is poor and there is nothing about her that makes her desirable, except her goodness, generosity, intuition, intelligence, patience, honesty, or a fill-in-the-blank virtue that complements the man.
Then, as the TV show progresses, you begin to see the Cinderella effect take place. Suddenly, the girl becomes more beautiful, the guy becomes interested, and the audience begins to route for them to be together.
However, the writers can’t let it happen that quickly! They need to make 24 episodes. If the couple is together by episode 4, they need to put some giants along the path for the couple to slay before they can be together.
Here enters the in-laws, ex-girlfriends/boyfriends, jealous third party, sickness, doubt etc. which helps prolong the show for the inevitable outcome.
The entire goal has been for the couple to be together. That they would no longer be single, but live happily ever after. Once the writers achieve that goal, the show is done and they move onto the next project that is more of less the same format. And yet I still continue to watch them and scream at the TV when the writer’s do something predictable or inexplicable.
But what happens to a couple like that in real life? What happens to their happily ever after?
Growing up, movies have taught many young women that that is the goal. To find “the one”. You have to look, act, and be a certain way. Once you find “the one”, this is what it will look like, cue the soundtrack, roll the credits, your life long mission is over.
Now what?
I read that many of the people who succeed climbing Mount Everest or K2 experience great depression after that. All the hard work and preparation they put into this has finally come true, but now they are post-goal depressed.
Right now, going on the World Race is my goal. It’s why I’m working out, why I’m shopping, why I’m working, why I’m praying. But once that’s all done…
Then what?
Matthew 14: 24-31
22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” 28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 2
9 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
I know that the World Race is not the end all be all of my life.
Jesus is my beginning and my end.
Maybe it will be just something on a resume, maybe it will change my life in ways I never though it could, or maybe this trip will be the beginning of something greater.
As long as I got Jesus and my friends, then nothing can stop us.
