As a Valentines treat for my wife, I took her out for a dinner and a movie. The dinner was a great experience. The service was fast & friendly and both of our meals were tasty and thoroughly enjoyed.

The movie we chose was “The Kings Speech”. It portrayed the challenge of the 2nd son of England’s King George V. This son had a problem with stuttering. The movie depicted the story of this young man from the time of his first major public speech in 1925 through to his first speech as King, leading his country into war in 1939.

The 2nd son is not normally heir to the throne. Part of the story of the movie included the story of how the 1st son ascended to the throne following the death of their father, and then how he abdicated the throne just a short time later.

Napoleon Hill in his book “Think & Grow Rich” tells the tale of King Edward as a simple love story.

The movie gives a rather different perspective, portraying the 1st son as a rebellious playboy who sought pleasure rather than responsibility.

It is fascinating how the way we look at and think about a situation affects the way we see that situation.

For Napoleon Hill, an American, who had already dedicated 25 years of his life to studying the lives of 500 of the richest men in America, the decision of King Edward was a choice of conscience and romance over duty and protocol.

For the British public it was scandalous that their King should be engaged in a relationship with a woman who was already twice divorced and currently married to another man.

The British establishment, meaning the church and the government, in response to the public sentiment, brought pressure on King Edward to choose between fulfilling the responsibility of the throne or of abdicating.

Was the man who for a time was King Edward – King of the British Empire – just a selfish rebellious playboy? Or was he a man who followed his heart – even though he was heir to the throne – he chose to give up the throne and be true to his heart’s desire.

We will never know.

But what about our own life? We may not be heir to a throne, but are we doing what we are doing because we are following someone else’s plan for our life? Are we just plodding along day after day doing what we are doing because we are supposed to?

Or, are we being true to our own heart even if it may appear to others around us that we are being selfish and/or rebellious?

More to the point – Am I being true to me?

all the best,
Derrall