One heck of a philosophy for life {a positive thread to offset some negative interactions here} by Murkymerc

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

One heck of a philosophy for life {a positive thread to offset some negative interactions here}

POSTED BY: MURKYMERC
UPDATED: Thursday, March 2, 2006 15:43
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VIEWED: 4545
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Tuesday, February 28, 2006 3:49 PM

Is anyone else blow away by the general philosophy of Mal. Here is a man who has lost almost everything, but has identified the few things that are his. The philosophy really resonates for me because it reminds me of the philosophy of Viktor Frankl. I don't want to get too cheesy or touchy feely here, but I think there are times in my life where Mal is one heck of an example on how to deal with loss.

I really became obsessed with Firefly when I had a reoccurrence of grief about the death of my father who passed this Thanksgiving (those of you who have experienced the death of a closely related person understand that the grief comes in waves. This show took me to another world where I could escape the grief I was feeling. I guess I am just thrilled that it also taught me something too that I could apply with my own life.

I guess the take away is that sometimes you just have to be happy that you are still flying.

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Tuesday, February 28, 2006 4:02 PM

AUSSAY

Sorry to hear about your loss, but Im gald Firefly helped you through it

It's weird how a tv characte can touch people in such way, but it truly has for me. I guess i thank Joss for creating him and Nathan for really owning that role. Also the Ballad of Serenity is such a moving song, not just for the show but for life. "You cant take the sky from me" is such simple but amazing line for me

"Shake your head boy, your eyes are stuck"

www.fireflyfans.net
http://www.browncoatsriseagain.com/

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Tuesday, February 28, 2006 4:15 PM

HOTARU31

I think you just summed up exactly what is so special about this show and why there are so many fans of it, i.e. why we're all here still talking about it.

Mal is especially great because he's relatable. He makes mistakes, he's stubborn and has his own personality flaws but he is still an amazing person who always tries to do the right thing in the end.

"how could you do that? how could you shame me in front of new people?"

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Tuesday, February 28, 2006 4:20 PM

MILFORD

My condolences. I lost my dad when I was 10 near Christmas. Tough, but not impossible to overcome. If thinking about Mal helps, think about Mal every day. Whatever gets you through. It's a heck of a lot better than other things you can turn to that's for sure.

As for Mal being an example, I think of him and his philosophy often, because he seems more like a real person than other heroes, he's easier to relate to. The idea that he's lost but keeps on going resonates with me. Losing someone as important as a father could and should be crippling, but instead we keep on keeping on, just like Mal.We focus on the good and use it to gets us through.

Oddly enough, as a kid it was my identification with Houston Oilers running back Earl Campbell that helped me. When I felt like giving up I'd remember watching Earl run through defenders with my dad. I kept that picture of his tenacity in my head and used, and still use, it all the time.

Latch on to Mal if you want. Should Joss or Nathan ever find out that they helped you through a tough time, I'm sure they'd be thrilled. By the way, if you ever want to chat, I'm usually around. No Browncoat has to go it alone.

Remember, that but for one trifling exception, the entire universe is made up of others.- Oliver Wendall Holmes

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Tuesday, February 28, 2006 5:29 PM

MURKYMERC

Thanks to you all. I will be honest. I am not real optimistic about another movie, much less a return to the small screen (I am going to keep trying regardless), however, at least we all have each other.

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Tuesday, February 28, 2006 6:03 PM

MILFORD

We'll all enjoy it together WHEN they make a twentieth anniversary sequel to Serenity to cap off a fifteen year Emmy winning run of the revamped series.

Either way, we're all here for each other no matter what.

Remember, that but for one trifling exception, the entire universe is made up of others.- Oliver Wendall Holmes

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Tuesday, February 28, 2006 6:22 PM

NUCLEARDAY

Yeah, you gotta love Mal, especially with all his character flaws. I love how the whole crew sort of has to lean on each other at times to get them through, and how Mal is the one that holds them all together.

I also understand what you mean about dealing with loss. There have been times in my past when the grief hit me, or hit everyone else but me at various times and I only wish I had something as good as Firefly to latch on to for something of an escape. (All I had was S Club 7... :)

________________________________________________
You can take my hope when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers.

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Tuesday, February 28, 2006 6:22 PM

SAMEERTIA

MurkyMerc,
Hi, and welcome to the best place in the 'verse!

I lost my father in July of last year after a long and painful illness. And yes, the grief comes in waves, and eats you up and spits you out and then comes back for more.

And yes, Firefly was one of my salvations during the darkness, so I can identify. That Mal picks up and goes on was an inspiration, but it was actually Kaylee, always looking to the bright side of things, that reminded me that the darkness doesn't last forever.

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Tuesday, February 28, 2006 6:37 PM

THEPISTONENGINE

Reminds me of a Peter Gabriel song, "I Grieve"

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Tuesday, February 28, 2006 8:11 PM

JUSTSHINY

Well, no one has passed away in my family. My condolenses to those who have lived through the experience. I don't know how I will, but I'll have to.

Also, my condolenses to NuclearDay for only having S Club 7...

But I do understand the wave's of saddness. I'm a pretty happy person, but I hide emotions, then they creep up on me, and explode. Luckily, I was at my house when it happened. I didn't exactly have Firefly at the time, but now whenever I get to sad, I just think about Serenity.

She always keeps going, one way or another, even though she has to rely on other people sometimes (everyone does, even when we don't wanna). The crew may or may not have faith in anything else, but they got faith in her.

And so do I.

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Tuesday, February 28, 2006 8:21 PM

RIVER6213

I like Mal because he did lose everything, but he kept on going, he didnt sit there and whine, and give into the helplessness that comes with defeat... he kept on moving forward. In the end, he was happy that his ship was still flying, and that was enough for him. I like that. I like, and respect the character of Mal.

Like him, I lost all faith in everything after getting stomped on by some major competition, but I fought back in a big way, and I still am able to keep my company going, make a killing profit, and I too am still flying, I'm not happy, but I'm still flying, and that's enough for me.

River

Is that a Rainbow I see?

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Tuesday, February 28, 2006 8:23 PM

IRONSPY

The beautiful thing about the character, to me, is that he was able to let go of those things he lost. He's not hung up on revenge or grief. He's still got his soft spots, but overall he is resilient enough to get on with his life, no matter what the circumstances are.

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Wednesday, March 1, 2006 4:07 AM

THOUSANDCUTS

It is true...all BrownCoats should look after each other...in the episode 'Heart Of Gold' that was when i truly realised how powerful Mal was as a character...I agree with you all, grief is hard to get over, but you do get over it...i would just like to say, as a new member of this amazing site, it is good to know that i can talk to you great people!!
Thank you, take care.

"May be on the losing side...Still not convinced it was the wrong one"

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Wednesday, March 1, 2006 11:14 AM

MUDDER1

"When you can't run anymore, you crawl. And when you can't crawl, you find someone to carry you."
I think that pretty much sums it up for me. We are all here to carry each other when that time comes.

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Wednesday, March 1, 2006 11:16 AM

THOUSANDCUTS

Quote:
Originally posted by Mudder1:
"When you can't run anymore, you crawl. And when you can't crawl, you find someone to carry you."
I think that pretty much sums it up for me. We are all here to carry each other when that time comes.

Shiny...
Its very true...how are you Mudder1?

"May be on the losing side...Still not convinced it was the wrong one"

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Wednesday, March 1, 2006 3:08 PM

SAVEWASH

Now I am learning about scary.

Quote:
Originally posted by Murkymerc:
I guess the take away is that sometimes you just have to be happy that you are still flying.

Murkymerc, I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for finding a way to spread a positive message even when you're feeling such grief. We all need more of that, I think.

I've been having a bad week and your message reminded me that I am still flying, despite it all. And I'll keep flying, no matter what.

My favorite line from the band Alter Bridge is this: "Whatever takes us away will be the same to drive us on." That's how I see Mal & crew.

"Hang on, travellers." - Wash

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Wednesday, March 1, 2006 7:56 PM

RIVER6213

Sorry for your loss Merkymerc. Its not a good thing, its not a good feeling when someone you love has died, or is ill. Hang in there if you can, which I suspect you will because you have a lot of fight in you.

You and I have exchanged a lot of heated words back and forth, but your loss is real, with meaning, therefore I cannot be an ass towards you at this particular time. The fact that you can grieve for someone that you have lost, shows that you are very much alive, very human, and have feelings, and you are more of a human being than I, and for that I salute you.

Hang in there.

River

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Thursday, March 2, 2006 3:43 PM

MURKYMERC

Quote:
Originally posted by RiveR6213:

You and I have exchanged a lot of heated words back and forth, but your loss is real, with meaning, therefore I cannot be an ass towards you at this particular time. The fact that you can grieve for someone that you have lost, shows that you are very much alive, very human, and have feelings, and you are more of a human being than I, and for that I salute you.

Hang in there.

River

The fact we exchange heated words really just says we both like to fight and are equally tenatious. We were nasty, but I hope we weren't serious (strange..that sounded like something Jane would say

). I hope that no one here ever gets in a situation where they can't argue in one thread, and laugh together in the next. This is important becuase, I know I personally will speak from the heart on one thread, and play the buffoon in the next...and god help us all when I start drinking again.

Really though folks. I am dealing. It comes in waves, but as someone who has been coming here only a few weeks I just wanted to give my "how Firefly Changed my Life story." I appreciate the support because part of me still doesn't believe it, and somehow, the more I talk about it, the more it sinks home. Thanks to you all.

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