…of an overactive imagination

By: Tasha

….someone told you that you have cancer and that within a week…a month…six months or even a year you were going to die? What would you do? (the movie itself asks this question)

What sorts of things race thru your head? How do you feel inside? Do you start to question things? Question life? Ask yourself – why me?

The reason I’m asking this is because Sunday March 22nd I saw the movie One Week. (If none of you have heard of this movie – then I suggest you google it) I’ll tell you a small bit about it tho – just because I’m nice.

Basically – Joshua Jackson’s character finds out he has cancer and its stage four. (for those who don’t know – stage four is the highest and the most aggressive form of cancer ANYONE can get) in the movie they don’t tell you what form of cancer his character gets – but that he has it and he’s going to die. Now, he’s engaged, he’s a teacher and basically has his life all set. But while he’s sitting in that doctor’s office – he thinks I might as well shoot myself then sit here and be told anymore depressing news. His character goes home and eventually tells his fiancé – who in the end turns out to be somewhat of a selfish person and I was ready to ring her neck!!! (she annoyed me) Anyways – he decides that the best thing to do for himself is, to travel. He decides that within a span of two days his “self discovery” will be over and he’ll come home and finish dealing with the wedding and settle down. His two days of “self discovery” turn into one week – hence the title.

He decides to head out West – he’s bought himself a motorcycle and is off. Half way thru his trip – he decides he’ll just give up and go home. He’s inspired to continue because of two young men he meets along the way, who made a bet that they could bike ride from Newfoundland to BC and back again. So with that – he says screw going home – I’m going to continue west.

The rest I will not tell you – if you’re interested you’ll google it and if not then that’s ok with me.

Now back to my question – what would you do if someone gave you such life changing news? Would you pack up and take a trip? Get in touch with people you no longer talk to just because you’re going to die OR just because you want to have closure? Do something out of character, just to give yourself that thrill? Educate yourself on what you just learned you have? Educate others? Then again doctors make mistakes right? So would you double check that what you’ve been told is really what you have or get a second opinion BEFORE doing something you’ll regret later?

Every thought of “what if” goes through people’s minds – whenever something is impending, it drives us nuts.

There is one line that sticks out from this movie; Joshua Jackson’s character meets the lead singer from the Tragically Hip and he’s smoking weed because he’s a cancer survivor. Anyway – Ben (Joshua Jackson) asks him, “How do you know if you love someone?” He says to him, “if you have to ask, then that means you probably don’t” that’s so true. It’s like with anything in life; if you have to question certain things that don’t really require further thought or answers, then you shouldn’t be asking. You have your answer.

My Mom always tells me, “death always needs an excuse” and that’s so true. There are certain things in life that we all do and feel if we give some sort of excuse as to why we’re doing it – then it must be ok. It’s a double edged sword and probably too complex to justify.

So that brings me back to my original question and the question that the movie itself asks: what would you do if someone told you, that you had one week, one month, six months or a year to live?

In the end – we’re human, we’re selfish, and we’re complex and almost never satisfied. We prey on those that are helpless and weak; we hurt those around us because we know we can and that if they really love us, they’ll forgive us. We’re always taking the best things in life for granted – yet we complain.

Personally, I didn’t need a movie like this to wake me up, I’ve always had a different frame of mind and my thinking has always been different, no matter how well you know me. I like being different, it makes me feel unique. People will probably read this paragraph and laugh to themselves, thinking I’m just kidding and looking for a smartass reply – but to be honest, I’m not looking for a smartass reply (and if you have one keep it to yourself) but that there is point behind this note and maybe some of you should venture out and see this movie – it might change the way you look at life. After all, isn’t that why there are things in life that are meant to INSPIRE us and make us look for answers and learn how to APPRECIATE what we have?

Think about it.

Note: I saw this movie last year and it was well worth it – check it out.

this image is from the following website - they have some pretty nice quotes etc that truly inspire! http://www.pravsworld.com/