The Color Between Leaves

During an extended holiday weekend, I was able to catch up on several films that had been on my to-watch list.  One that caught me by surprise was a film titled, "Local Color".  It was an older film from 2009, however, it was one of those that matched my profile, based upon other films I have watched.  When one turns out to be way better than expected I am always very pleasantly surprised, especially when it moves me to write something about it.  This story is about an aspiring young artist who loves painting and other arts.  When he finds out that a famous retired painter lives near him, he does everything he can to meet the artist and when presented with the opportunity he also asks him if he can teach him about painting.  Needless to say, the film is so much more than about painting.  It had many blended life teachings in it which I always find fascinating, in what life lessons can teach us about our journey on this earth.  Armin Mueller-Stahl, plays the part of the tortured retired artist who sees so many things wrong in the world and the lack of appreciation for beauty that is being ignored by many of today's contemporary painters.  The rest of the story, I will let you find some time to immerse yourself in a great little film, however, I wanted to focus on a few of the artist's specific lines which touched me as he was attempting to teach a young eager student.  In one scene the young man shows him a collection of portraits that he has already painted and wants to be critiqued.  The artist looks at all of his paintings and simply tells him that he is painting through the eyes of what others have already seen.  In a poignant moment, he imparts the wisdom he has accumulated through his many years of living, that one must look at life through one's own eyes and not via someone else's.  I loved this, because it reminded me of the many lesson's others try to teach us and yet our most valuable tutorials are learned from the mistakes that we each made and how we reacted to them afterwards.  Another favorite moment was to look through the trees and see how the light which comes through the leaves paints a greater picture for us than the actual tree itself.  This was another teaching moment on ways to see beyond what we sometimes think is right in front of our noses.  Think of the many times one may have been in a situation where you could not find the answer or outcome that was wished for.  In many of those instances, it was not until after we had a breakthrough in a personal situation, where we realized the response that we sought was often much simpler than what we thought.  I could go on for a lot longer dissecting the many other lessons the artist teaches this young man.  However, at the end of it you feel the life teachings which were imparted went far beyond painting substantial and meaningful portraits.  The film provided me with many reminders about what is truly important in our lives.  Among them was the need to connect to others, to help people when you are able and how many of the true joys in our lives come from very simple little things, which in many instances cost little to nothing at all.  I hope that all of you take time on a consistent basis to appreciate the multitude of beauty that is already part of your life, even as unexciting as it may seem.  Remember that witnessing a beautiful morning sunrise or a spectacular sunset with someone to watch it with you as a bonus, can make for a joy filled day.  Finally, also pay attention to the colors that you see between the leaves, the clouds and the stars, along with other nature views that we all may take for granted.  There is beauty all around us, we just have to train our eyes to see it.  Finally, take a moment to appreciate all of the wonders of nature, especially when you find a moment that can easily take your breath away as it fills your heart to the rim with gratitude for having been a witness to it.