WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 ROMANTIC

I was “forced” (not really to acknowledge that I am a romantic.  

Over the weekend, I listened to an updated Beauty and the Beast story audiobook.

The “beast” in this story was one of the wealthiest people in the world. The father built a vast empire, which she inherited.  

But, a tragic fire accident left her terribly scarred. She thought she was hideous- and built a castle in the mountains- and bought up most of the land around her. She became a recluse, with security guards and servants protecting her privacy. Drones and helicopters fly over the castle to get a photo of the wealthy recluse (and she hid from all people). 

But she wanted a woman in her life. The last remaining property near her had a father and a beautiful daughter. She wanted the daughter and manipulated things, so the daughter and father depended on her. She sent the father away to manage an import vessel and tried to woo the girl.  

They clashed from the beginning, as the girl said (my term) that love wins, while the beast insisted that love doesn’t ever win, only money.

Of course, by the end of the book, the girl has shown love and affection to the rich woman, who realizes that love does win and that money isn’t all there is in life.

***

Aside from that, the previous audiobook could have been more uplifting. The lady and her husband are just “friends” anymore, so the lady finds a lover in a shoe store. I stopped listening about ¼ of the way through it. Y, it might have a happy ending, but I didn’t want to crawl through the mud to get there.

*****

I cry at movies and plays, and I love classical romantic music. A friend directs community plays. The last play, when two of the characters hug and make up, did leave me with happy tears.

I’ve been watching videos on the Internet - happy videos (like Princess Diaries, Parent Trap, and others - yes - Pollyanna-type videos.

Some artwork appeals to me - sunny days, sweet scenes, and things that touch my heart and mind. 

I’ve been listening to Shostakovich’s Festive Overture (my community symphony is playing that at our next concert) and the finale of Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony (I’d love to play the tympani on that piece).  

By definition, a romantic is a person who thinks a lot about love and does and says things that show strong feelings of love for someone.  

But my romantic thoughts are more extensive than loving someone; I want to think they affect my whole existence. 

I like the (rarely used ) word “Elan,” which refers to energy, style, and enthusiasm. It may be “passion.” Enthusiasm for life, reverence for life, and Godly LOVE for life.

*****

Yes, I fail - yes, I trip and fall. But, my brain is so wired to love life, God, and infinitely.

That may be why I rarely watch television (and especially television news). T expression “The world is going to hell in a handbasket” seems to be the mantra for televised news. The economy is bad, and the immigrant problem is bad (only drug dealers and criminal syndicates want to get into the USA). We are voting for XYZ to make the world better.  

*****

Can you person make the world better? Can one person cry happy tears in movies and in plays? Can books brighten my thoughts?

Can you have a brighter day? Can you (we) love, humor, jokes, and life exist as compared to hate, lust, and greed?

Yes, let’s focus on LOVE winning!!!

Love also transforms hearts and minds!!

Karen Anne White
September 18, 2024