Throwback Thursday: Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)

Mistakes are part of life. When they happen, we may wish for a time machine so we can go back in time and prevent such mistakes. But what would happen if a time machine really existed?

In the 2010 movie, Hot Tub Time Machine, Adam (John Cusack) is throwing himself a pity party. As are two of his friends. In an effort to revive their spirits, Adam, his friends, and his nephew go on a trip to a dilapidated ski resort that was a party spot in the ’80s. After drinking one too many alcoholic beverages, and sitting in the hot tub, all four men are transported back to 1986. Their goal is to undo their mistakes and ensure that Adam’s nephew comes into existence. But that is obviously easier said than done.

It’s one of those movies that could easily turn into a raunchy boys road trip comedy. But there is something to be said about an opportunity to change one’s future and preventing mistakes that could forever change the course of your life.

Do I recommend it? I am leaning toward yes.

Thoughts On The Redemption Project with Van Jones

We all make mistakes, that is part and parcel of being human. But what happens when that mistake leads us to jail and years later, we have to look at the people who were affected by that mistake?

That is the concept of the CNN program, The Redemption Project with Van Jones. The premise of the program is as follows: host Van Jones tells the story of a victim (and/or their family), the perpetrator who was jailed for their crime and their face to face meeting years after the crime was committed.

I have watched the first two episodes and I have found the program to be compelling and worthy of an hour of watching television. When we make a mistake, the first step is to admit that we made it. First steps are often the hardest to make, especially when that mistake leads one person jailed and another person (or their family) forever affected by that mistake.

The theme of the show is restorative justice, leading to a conversation with the person convicted of the crime and the person and/or their loved ones who were affected by the crime In the two episodes that I have watched, I have seen a spark of hope. While there is no way to go back in time and undo what has been done, both parties walk away with a sense of peace, perhaps a little understanding and a human connection that goes beyond the general idea of a victim and a perpetrator.

I recommend it.

The Redemption Project with Van Jones airs on Sunday night at 9pm.

Fail nine times to succeed BIG time

Mistakes

Those of you who have been following my blog for the last few months will know that I was looking for a job. I was thankfully offered a job earlier this week and I’ve already started work again.

What Oprah is saying makes perfect sense. There are no mistakes, there is only course correction. We all have something that we were put on this earth to do. It is just a matter of stumbling through life until we get to that point when we fulfill that reason for being alive. Sometimes we veer off that path, but that’s okay. That is part of the process of becoming that person that we were meant to be or achieve that goal that we were destined to achieve.

In retrospect, it makes sense. Taking that job meant that I had veered off course. Being unemployed allowed me get myself back on the right path. Was it easy? No. Was it frustrating and emotional at times? Absolutely. But it was necessary to get me back to the right place.

I hope that I am again on the right path. We are all on the right path, we just have to realize it.