Authored by Jake Macias
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is the newest addition to the popular Star Wars film franchise. It tells the story of how the Rebel Alliance of the original trilogy happened upon the plans for the Empire's Death Star--a space station with the ability to destroy entire planets.
The movie follows Jyn Erso, daughter of the brilliant scientist that created the abominable Death Star, as she attempts to make right that what her father has done.
I had the opportunity to see the movie opening weekend, and I loved it. I found myself smiling at some of the nods to fans of the original trilogy including "blue milk," the notorious outlaws encountered in the Cantina, and reference to the self-exiled Obi-Wan Kenobi. If you have the opportunity to see it, I encourage you to do so.
"We have hope. Alliances are built on hope."
One of the lines that stood out for me in the film was delivered by the fierce Jyn, attempting to rally the various groups belonging to the Rebel Alliance to send their forces to pursue the plans for the Death Star: "We have hope. Alliances are built on hope."
The Alliance is scared of what may come to them, and they ignore her pleas for help.
At this point in the movie, we find Jyn crushed but not willing to admit defeat. Shortly after this, a group of defiant Rebels greets Jyn, willing to join her on her "suicide mission" because everything they have done so far will have been for naught.
I found myself on the edge of my seat with goosebumps. The sequences that follow are action-packed and emotionally provocative.
The theme of the movie is powerful, and it got me thinking.
Most of us will never be faced with a choice that could ultimately bring about the end of the Universe as we know it.
I believe it is safe to say that most of us are grateful for that.
We are, however, incessantly faced with choices that could serve to make better or worse our own little universes--the people with whom we surround ourselves friends, families, and romantic partners.
If we knowingly accept choices that are contrary to our nature and happiness in the long-run, we are very likely to hurt those we care most about. We are at our best when we are doing that which is true to our authentic selves.
Jyn Erso made the choices she did because she knew they were right and true to her. She knew that people depended on her. She was willing to sacrifice everything for the cause.
I encourage all of us to strive to do what we know to be best for us in our own lives.
Responsibility for the ones you love is going to come first. Giving up your day job to pursue the life of a professional racecar driver may be out of the question--but having goals and ambitions that are important to you--no matter how silly or trivial they are to someone else--are the little things that bring joy to a sometimes seemingly mundane existence.
Nearly every significant moment in the history of human existence has taken place because of individuals that were willing to risk it all.
They disregarded conventionality and playing it safe. They knew that they would not find peace within themselves until the followed through with what they thought was necessary.
They went rogue--and I believe we all stand to find a more meaningful existence in doing so.
Maybe Rogue One is more than a Star Wars Story. Maybe it is OUR story.
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©2016 Julee Morrison, as first published on Mommy's Memorandum