Donna Reed as Mary Bailey
The holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life will officially turns 70 years old on December 25th (it’s official release date). I’ve routinely watched this movie every holiday season for almost 50 years and of course shared this classic with my own kiddos.
With each viewing I’ve focused on the journey George Bailey takes to understand what’s truly important in life. Although frustrated for most of his life and plagued by his endless desire to get out of Bedford Falls, in truth George lived a significant and meaningful life. As Clarence reminded him, ”Each man's life touches so many other lives, and when he isn't around he leaves an awful hole.” It’s a powerful lesson we should all embrace, knowing our life has purpose and meaning. Regardless of where you are be sure to bloom where you’re planted.
The character of Mary Hatch Bailey, on the other hand, is often overlooked and viewed in the shadow of George Bailey. Mary is seen only as the loving and doting wife of George Bailey. However, Mary Bailey is a strong, significant and key character in the entire story. Mary’s life not only provides the foundation upon which George discovers what’s important, it also provides powerful life and business lessons that will indeed help anyone have a “wonderful life.”
Here are the crucial gifts and lessons we should all learn from Mary Hatch Bailey.
She Had Clarity & Focus: When we first meet Marcy in the story she is a little girl who whispers in young George’s ear, “I’ll love you to the day I die George Bailey.” When we see Mary again, she’s just graduated high school and through a series of events she’s outside of the old Granville House with George. They throw rocks through window as many teenagers did because if you smashed one you could make a wish. After they’re married, George and Mary spend their honeymoon at the Granville house and it’s then that Mary reveals her wish four years earlier was that they would be married living in that house. What I love most about Mary’s character is that she didn’t sit around passively waiting for her dream to materialize. Instead, she was an active participant in the realization of her dreams. She attended Harry’s graduation party (George’s brother) and most likely had her own brother ask George to dance with her, she attended college and remained in touch with George’s friends so she’d always be top of mind, and she moved back to Bedford Falls after college and let George’s mother know that she was interested in her son. Mary was clear and focused on what she wanted and worked diligently, over several years, toward that goal. Do you have this level of clarity and focus on your own dreams, passions, and goals? Have you dedicated years, patiently yet actively working toward achievement? I’m sure at times Mary had her doubts and was met with some frustrations, but ultimately she never lost her focus and remained clear on the prize.
She Invested Without Fear: The effects of the great depression hit Bedford Falls as George and Mary were leaving for their honeymoon. With $2,000 in hand, earmarked for their travels, Mary stepped up and saved their company. Mary’s focused unyielding faith and commitment to her dream allowed her to fearlessly invest everything to ensure forward momentum. What’s powerful about this gesture is that Mary had no idea if or when she would ever recoup that money. It was a true act of faith. To put this in perspective, $2,000 in 1932 is the just about $32,000 in 2016! Are you investing in your life or business? Do you have faith that your investment will yield significant returns? Have you been hesitate to invest in services, support, training, or resources you know are needed to advance your goals because of fear? It was a gamble for Mary to give up that $2,000, particularly because they were in the midst of a depression; but her faith and commitment to her dream outweighed her fear.
She Worked Like a Boss: While George remained frustrated throughout most of his life, Mary made a plan and worked her plan. Most importantly she never wavered from the plan. While raising four children, Mary worked with George in the Building & Loan Company, ran a branch of the USO during the war, and completely remodeled a dilapidated house. Once again, when the company was in jeopardy, while George was in despair, Mary went to work. She called her husband’s business partner to discover the problem and decided to conduct a massive fundraising effort. While George was discovering what was important in life, Mary knew what was important and worked like a boss to fix the problem. Without fear, hesitation, or question, she saw a set back, assessed what was necessary, and crushed it. How do you handle set backs, unexpected roadblocks, or bumps in the road? Do you despair and question why you’re even doing what you’re doing, as George did? Or do you roll up your sleeves and get to work, like Mary? As Uncle Billy exclaimed when he came to their home, “Mary did it, Mary did it, George!” In usual fashion, Mary made a plan and worked her plan. She contacted everyone she knew, near and far, to let them know what she needed. In the end, she blew out her $8,000 goal by well over $25,000!
In addition to these three qualities, Mary was a women of integrity and respect in the community, which served her well in achieving her efforts. It’s important to be impeccable with your word, dress how you want to be perceived, and let everyone know about your goals in your life and business. In other words, your brand, story, and presence must be on point. These are the core attributes I work on with my clients on a daily basis.
So, the next time you sit down and watch It’s a Wonderful Life, take note of Mary Hatch Bailey and the significance of her role to the story and even George Bailey’s redemption.