1. Sometimes you are the only one. Do not be afraid to be the only one. Speak your truth even if the world thinks you are mad, because if you let the world see through your eyes, then you truly ARE mad. There is a sharp contrast drawn in this movie, and conformity–made inevitable through the principled rejection of Individualism which is the foundational principle of Collectivism–is the opposite of life, of human flourishing, of love, of laughter, and of the spirit.
2. I am reminded of what I in my own mind, and perhaps here, have at times called the Wolverine Code. It is a set of principles which will allow you to survive, even if everything you know, including your identity, is taken from you.
They will be familiar, if you have followed me for any lengthy of time:
1. Reject self pity
2. Persevere
3. Be curious and always learning.
Everything good, in my view, can be built through these principles over time. They are principles which tend, always (such is my hope and intent, at any rate), to the good over time, and tend away from dogmatism, lies, and death. We all make mistakes. The only mistakes which are permanent are those which you conflate with reality, and genuine curiosity prevents that from happening, again over time.
3. Something like this is at the root of all religions. Christianity posits this world as a temporary place, with heaven, hell (and Purgatory, if you are Catholic) being the true realities. Ponder this for a moment. Consider it as real.
4. This movie really made me appreciate the value of sunshine, beautiful fall days like we are having today, and overall made me grateful for one more day alive, one more day to learn, to enjoy the countless gifts which have been given me, and one more day to begin to remember who I am, and what I am here for.
Edit: 5. This is also a good symbolic representation of Heideggers “Verworfenheit”. He was not wrong about this, but what we were born not knowing, we were born with the capacity to build. Building is life. Perhaps we are all merely sophisticated beavers. So be it. Build anyway.