Jun 21 2009
Living Full Out, 100%, No Matter What
“Every man dies; not every man really lives.” -William Wallace, Braveheart
The movie Braveheart, starring and directed by Mel Gibson, is one of my favorites.
It’s the story of the legendary William Wallace in his valiant struggle to free Scotland from the oppressive King Longshanks of England. It’s a bloody and violent film (although not gratuitously so) filled with treachery, injustice, betrayal and courage.
For me, one of the most profound lines in the entire movie was uttered by Sir Wallace shortly before he was tortured and executed by his enemies. The princess of Wales was pleading for his life and begging Wallace to swear allegiance to the King, thereby avoiding a slow and excruciatingly painful death. She says to Wallace, “If you do not, you will surely die.” To which Wallace responds, “Every man dies; not every man really lives.”
It was as true in the 1300s as it is today. We will all surely die. The only question is when and where. If we have the chance to reflect upon our life before we pass, will we say that we truly lived?
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Wendy Betterini has spent much of her writing career empowering people to transform their lives by changing their thoughts. All change begins within.