Here’s Lookin’ at you, Kid
By L.D. Kirklin
In the world of Cinema, the movie Casablanca is regarded as a classic film. From its cast to its plot, from its character entanglement to its script filled with quotable lines, Casablanca is a one stop shop of ageless entertainment. Even if you’ve never watched the movie, chances are you’ve heard what is likely the most quoted line of the film; “Here’s looking at you, kid”. Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) says that line more than once to Ilsa Laszlo (Ingrid Bergman) throughout the movie.
While the line has a more solemn meaning in the movie, “Here’s looking at you, kid” makes me laugh. You see, framed on my living room wall is a copy of my senior picture. Whenever I happen to glance at the photograph, I cannot help but go all Casablanca and think, “Here’s looking at you, kid”. Even though I was nearly 18 years old in that picture, I see it now and realize just how much of a kid I really was at that point in life.
A few years ago, someone asked me, “If you could give guidance to your teenage self, what would it be?” I remember being overwhelmed by the question because so many pieces of advice flooded my mind. Don’t do this. Make sure to do that. Focus on this. Don’t worry about that. The lessons I had learned over the years came flowing to me, making me want to spare my young self from the things that caused me pain and took me a long while to figure out. If I could just go back knowing what I know now, how much better life would be … or would it?
You know, as a nature photographer, I get rather excited as the Spring season unfolds. So many beautiful flowers start emerging from the ground, giving me a plethora of photographic opportunities. It starts with crocuses and daffodils. Then come the Tulips and Columbine and Phlox…oh my! Then there’s Clematis…Dahlias … Zinnia … Vinca … and the list goes on! Spring really is one of my favorite seasons, however, I know I couldn’t have it without having all the other seasons as well.
There wouldn’t be a Spring season without a season of Winter. Nor would there be an Autumn season without a season of Summer. Every season has its purpose. Spring is a season of awakening. Summer, a season of growth. Autumn, a season of harvest. Winter, a season of rest. Each season is needed for the next, though not every season is a favorite. For example, I don’t get excited about winter. Honestly, if you catch me at a weak moment, you will hear me lamenting its approach, but deep down I know it’s needed.
In the same way, life is full of seasons, seasons needed so that the next ones can come. If I could go back and advise my young self on the dos and don’ts of life, I wouldn’t be helping myself at all. In fact, I would be robbing myself of valuable lessons. While advice is a good thing, there are some lessons that only experience can teach, and experience comes during its own seasons. Seasons of emotional pain teach strength and forgiveness. Seasons of financial strain teach humbleness and gratitude. Seasons of sadness and struggle teach faith and perseverance. For every unwanted season, if we use its span to seek and learn the lesson, an enjoyable season will come.
The truth is, I used to look at the picture of my young self on the living room wall and wish I could go back and change her path. I wanted to make it easier for her to become the person she was meant to become. I wanted to save her from the difficult seasons I endured and give her a roadmap free of obstacles. Now, however, when I see that picture, I realize that all the experiences I wanted to save her from are the very experiences she needs to be who she is meant to be.
So, what season are you currently experiencing? Are you in a season of difficulty? Are you struggling with lessons? Regretting choices? Are you looking at a picture of your young self, wishing you could give advice on the dos and don’ts of life? If so, I challenge you to stop, shift your focus, and take an inventory of all your blessings. Add up the lessons you’ve learned and don’t let anything take away from the fearfully and wonderfully made person you are! You, like your seasons, have a purpose … so … here’s lookin’ at you, kid!
Never underestimate the power of perspective.
