It's a Wonderful Life
Your impact is often unseen.
It’s a Wonderful Life.
Imagine watching scenes of a world without you. Ever since I was a girl as small as Zuzu, I have loved “It’s A Wonderful Life.” As seasons have passed, I have come to more deeply appreciate the message of this story: the far-reaching impact of a single life.
"It's a Wonderful Life” begins with the lead character, George Bailey, contemplating suicide at age 38. It's a heavy start to a holiday movie. The plot is raw. But it’s real. George was on the brink of financial ruin, struggling in his relationships, and lacking a sense of purpose in his work. When he compared himself to his peers' accomplishments, he didn't believe he measured up. These are not the fictions of a movie plot—they are struggles of humanity.
Feeling pressed and pulled on all sides, George is desperate and unsure he can carry on. His attempt to end his life is interrupted right before he makes an irreversible decision that would take his pain, multiply it, and hand it to everyone around him. After his plan to plunge over the bridge is thwarted, he is afforded a rare glimpse into how radically different (and markedly worse) the world would be if he was not part of it. This visit to an alternative universe snapped his attention and altered his perception. He realized that his presence on the planet mattered—a lot.
We don't get to watch the reel of what this world would be like without us. Still, we need to live, love, and work knowing that it will count in ways that we will never fully know. Think about the people you love the most. What would your life be like without them, and theirs without you?
We rarely get to see the full effect of our influence – however small or seemingly insignificant. Consider this: a single conversation or statement can alter the trajectory of someone's entire life. In turn, they will go on to impact countless others.
Impact is often unseen. In clinical practice, I often know my losses but most victories are invisible to me—and always will be. Therapeutic transformation isn't limited to what I witness in real-time when a client sits in my office. The real magic occurs when clients walk out my door and go on to lead altered lives years after our last session. The gains I do get to witness spur me forward. I press on because I trust the process. I stay centered on my what and my why—in all roles, all spaces, for everyone whose path intersects with mine.
I live in my own Bedford Falls.
You do too.
This holiday, I'm not sure where you see yourself in the arc of the "It's a Wonderful Life" plot. Maybe you are the man on the bridge, depressed and discouraged. Perhaps, your heart is holding the joy of the closing scene.
Regardless of where you are today, remember: YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN ONE LIFE.
Only one.
Use it on purpose, for purpose.
It's not guaranteed to be easy. Often, it won’t seem fair. You aren't promised an existence without struggle. Instead, you are guaranteed pain and disappointment.
But this one life you have—it is a gift. A powerful one. And that is a truly wonderful thing.
If you liked this post, spread the joy and share it with someone else!
If you’re interested in more strategies for managing stress, raising your EQ, and strengthening self-awareness, don’t miss Finding Joy:
Need to cross some names off of your *December holiday-of-choice* list this year? Consider gifting a Premium subscription to Finding Joy.
For more of my musings on love, life, and work, you can follow me on Twitter, IG, and Linked In.