"Forgiveness does not mean forget. It does not mean you accept the wrong action. It means you choose not to carry anger and hatred. Forgive the person. Oppose the action. Two different things." -- Dalai Lama
Hoosiers (a 1986 Movie)
"There are no second acts in American lives, F.Scott fizgerald wrote, and many continue to believe that's true. Not Angelo Pizzo and David Anspaugh, the screenplay writer and director of Hoosiers. They are convinced that lives can be reclaimed; just because one has messed up in the past doesn't mean one can't dig deep and start all over again.
In 1951, Norman Dale (Gene Hackman), an ex-college coach, accepts a job at the high school in Hickory, Indiana. He tells the basketball team that they all face a challenge "to see who we are and what we can be." Dale has a dark secret, and another teacher (Barbara Hershey) senses it: "A man who comes to a place like this, either he's runnin' away from something' or he has nowhere else to go."
Dale lifts the spirits of the small-town team and shows true strength of character by taking on Shooter (Dennis Hopper), the town drunk, as his assistant. Hoosiers dramatically conveys the tidal pull of excitement as David — the Hickory team — meets Goliath — a squad from a big city — in the Indiana state championship game. But the real thrill of the story is seeing Dale and Shooter at the helm of the underdog team. They stand tall in triumph, each a Lazarus who has walked away from his tomb." -- A review by the Spirituality & Practice website
We invite you to get together with family and enjoy this classic-tale on second chances. This movie is best suited for children 11 and above.
Reading Corner
Title: The Berenstain Bears Get in a Fight
Author: Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain
Ages: 4-6 years
"Things are a bit stormy between Brother and Sister Bear. They're not even sure what they're fighting over. Things get even stormier until they find a way to make up (with some encouragement from Mama and Papa.) The story weaves an excellent metaphor of a storm and a rainbow to illustrate how relationships can be tumultuous at times until the sun comes out — and a rainbow appears." -- Readbrightly website
Follow along with this read-aloud video of the story!
Recommended by Kindful Kids Editors
Be the Change
Get together with children and reflect on the role of second chances in your day to day life -- what have you kept away that could use a second chance that empowers you to forgive yourself or others discerningly without forgetting? An activity, behaviour, a relationship with a friend or family. How would you step into it the second time, especially in terms of the learning?
