Really Valuable and Useful Gifts for Any Occassions, Especially During Recession.

In today’s world racked by wars, climate change, financial market turmoil, gross misdistribution of the world’s resources, and the murder of unborn babies, for the sake of maintaining careless and care-free lifestyles, it is mandatory that we all should start re-examining our current values and our priorities as a people and as individuals. For it is clear, that greed and indifference, which are vices, have taken root in so many individual’s and collective peoples’ characters.

We have come to a point where if we don’t get rid of our vices, and work to regain our virtues fast, we might witness the end of civilization as we know it. While virtues build up and continually enrich people, and move humanity forward, vices are always destructive.

One of the many ways we can do this re-learning is simply by reading or, even by just watching movies, whose main characters embody the virtues that we need to rediscover.

The following is a non-comprehensive list of some of the books and movies that should help us move towards positive transformation. But the value of the stories in these books and movies is dependent upon whether or not we act upon the lessons we rediscover in these stories. For one does not get better by knowing more, but by applying the higher knowledge that one has discovered.

The following is a list of some of my favorites

1) The Magic of Ordinary Days

Definitely one of the most powerful love stories that I have ever seen. The story is set in 1944. Ray Singleton (Skeet Ulrich), a shy farmer in a remote farm in Colorado, agrees to marry Livy Dune (Keri Russell), an unwed pregnant daughter of a wealthy Denver Minister, who made the marriage arrangements to prevent further scandal. Ray agrees to the marriage in spite of the fact that he has not yet met, much less known Livy. Furthermore, he knows about the pregnancy, and about the fact that the father was one of those departing soldiers, whom Livy had a casual encounter with. Ray was fully aware that he was really just being used, that Livy had no interest in him whatsoever. This seemingly simple story gets more profound in that it illustrates the power of unconditional love and forgiveness.

It was so good that I actually went to buy the book, or rather two copies of the book, so that I can read it twice! The film version of The Magic of Ordinary Days is a must see film, at least ten times. And have a box of Kleenex tissues, just in case you are a cry-baby like me.

2) Prairie Giant: The Tommy Douglas Story

A miniseries about one of the most admirable and most accomplished politicians that Canada, or the world for that matter, has ever had. It was so good that I can’t remember whether it was 3 or 4 hours long. But that was not even long enough, at least for me. I come from a country which, in its more than 100 years of independence, has never witnessed a politician who had a slightest semblance or dose of the patriotism that Tommy Douglas (Michael Therriault) had.

His accomplishments as the father of the first Medicare program in the Americas, his enacting into law collective bargaining for most, if not all sectors, his insistence on government transparency and accountability, and his fierce criticisms against the greed of big business, are all individually huge accomplishments on their own individual merits. But the little guy managed to do all of the four! What a giant of a little guy! I especially liked his eloquence, his wit and his magnificent repartees.

Canadians, you ought to be thankful to God for giving you a truly rare breed of a man, a Christian, a husband, and a politician.

How many citizens can claim that they come from countries that had or have political leaders with the likes of Tommy Douglas? Speak up, or forever keep the rest of the world ignorant of your King Arthur.

3) Homeless to Harvard

Based on the true life story of Liz Murray, this movie tells the moving story of a young woman raised in severe poverty by drug-addicted parents. By the age of 15, Liz (Thora Birch) was alone and living on the streets. After her mother's AIDS-related death, Liz had only two options. She can either spend the rest of her life complaining about the lousy deal she was getting from life, or to turn her life around by getting off the streets and going back to high school. She decides to do the harder, but more sensible thing. She goes back to school and did nothing else but work part-time to support herself, while studying like nobody else has studied before. After finishing high school in record time, that is within two years, with excellent grades to boot, she managed to win a New York Times scholarship for needy students, enabling her to attend Harvard University.

It’s hard not to get highly inspired by Liz' story. And more importantly, one can see that no matter how down the chips are, there is always a way to overcome tremendous obstacles. And that way is to figure out the best possible solutions, and to take whatever actions are necessary to achieve one’s dream of a better life.

4) Silent Night

Silent Night is based on a true story during the final months of WW 2. It is a story of one courageous woman, Frau Vincken (Linda Hamilton), who actually played hostess to both American and German soldiers, who were seeking shelter in her home, from a night of bitter winter cold. Before allowing any of the opposing soldiers to enter, she set the terms of a truce for just one evening, primarily by insisting that the only way they can seek comfort in her home was to put aside their weapons before they enter.

The initial animosity and suspicion between the German and American soldiers was evident. But gradually, things simmered down, especially when the opposing soldiers discovered the human side of their opponents. Hatred, anger, duty and personal honour eventually succumbed to the higher values of respect for life and the instinct for friendship. It is a story about the true essence of Christmas which is “Peace on earth and to people of goodwill.” The story provides insight to the fact that Jesus’ command to “love one’s enemies”, is not really impossible after all.

5) Gandhi

"Gandhi" is the tale of a small-time lawyer who took on the British Empire with nothing but truth, non-violence, and unconquerable will as weapons...and won.

In 1983, Gandhi (Ben Kingsley) is thrown off a South African train for being an Indian and traveling in a first class compartment. He realized that the laws were biased against Indians and starts a non-violent protest campaign for the rights of all Indians in South Africa. After numerous arrests which resulted in the embarrassing attention for the Empire, the government finally relents by recognizing rights for Indians.

With this victory, Gandhi is urged to take up the fight for India's independence from the British Empire. Gandhi agrees, and mounts a non-violent, civil disobedience campaign, coordinating millions of Indians nationwide. Britain responded with violence and the occasional imprisonment of Gandhi. But this worked against them, since this led to losing moral superiority over India and attracting the world's disfavor. Britain finally relents and grants India's independence.

However, India’s victory was quickly followed by nation-wide religious fighting between Hindus and Muslims. Gandhi goes on a hunger strike, and declared that he will not eat until the fighting stops. The fighting does stop eventually, but the country became divided. It is decided that the northwest area of India, and the eastern part of India (current day Bangladesh), both places where Muslims are in the majority, will become a new country called Pakistan. The leaders thought that violence will finally end decidedly if the Muslims lived in a separate country. Even with Gandhi’s opposition to the plan, the partition of India is carried out nevertheless. Gandhi spends his last days trying to bring about peace between both nations. He thereby angers many dissidents on both sides, one of whom finally gets close enough to assassinate him.

One cannot help but get awed by how the seemingly lame tactics of non-violence, persistence, self-sacrifice, and truth can triumph over the mighty weapons of an Empire. Except for few fanatics, people, and even countries respond well before such morally superior weapons.

Do you think that if Obama went on a hunger strike, the terrorists will finally lay down their arms? Joking aside, I will write a post on my blog http://truthhabits.blogspot.com, on why Pro-Obama Americans and other nationals should end their honeymoon with him and ask for a divorce.

6) Varian’s War

Varian Fry (William Hurt) is an American journalist who goes to France, in the days when the U.S. was still a neutral power, with one mission. And that was, to assist prominent Jewish intellectuals, artists, musicians, and others escape to the U.S. They were primarily Jews who, through their work, have made enormous contributions to moving our cultures and civilization forward. Creating a group of volunteers and using his own money, in addition to proceeds from raising funds from generous souls, he managed to help 2,000 of such people to escape the Nazi madness.

Varian's War is the true story of this forgotten hero, who at great risk to his own life, managed to preserve European heritage and culture. It makes you question your own character and priorities, and gives you much to think about, and much to strive for.

7) Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story

It tells the real-life story of Dorothy Day (Moira Kelly), who founded the "Catholic Worker" newspaper and relief agency for the poor in New York City during the Great Depression of the 1930’s. The story follows her quest to find some meaning in her life. This leads her to become Catholic and, ultimately makes her work tirelessly to helping and feeding thousands of people and providing a role model for activists.

The Catholic Worker Movement, which Day founded, still exists, with over 185 communities worldwide. Few Americans know anything about her and her excellent writings. But this movie should not only move you to tears, but, hopefully should also lead you to read Day's own autobiography, The Long Loneliness. She is now included in the ranks of Servant of God, in the company of the likes of Archbishop Fulton Sheen. Who knows, you might see her finally canonized as a saint in your lifetime.

Although it is not in the movie, one of Dorothy Day’s most famous quotes was, "Don't call me a saint. I don't want to be dismissed so easily." But my favorite is, "If I have achieved anything in my life," she once remarked, "it is because I have not been embarrassed to talk about God."

How many of us are not uncomfortable in talking about God in our many conversations with many people?

8) Gracie’s Choice

This movie is based on the true story of a 17 year-old Gracie Thompson (Kristen Bell), whose mother (Anne Heche) continues to live in a sexually promiscuous, drug-filled, and grossly irresponsible manner. Due to such almost incomprehensible indiscretions, Gracie and her siblings had to fend for themselves. Gracie decides to do whatever it takes to give her brothers and sisters, all younger than her, the motherly love, concern and devotion that she knew they needed. Determined to finish her education, while working part-time, in order to offer her family the stability that they've never known, Gracie embarks on a tireless uphill battle. However, as the mother keeps on coming back from her frequent honeymoons with her different boyfriends, Gracie finally decides to adopt her siblings in order to keep their mother away from them for good.

Is there anybody out there who knows where Gracie Thompson Weatherly is nowadays? If so, please tell us.

9) Bruce Almighty

Bruce Nolan (Jim Carrey) is a television reporter, who is always complaining that he only gets un-glamorous assignments. He finally gets a chance at getting what he always wanted, that is, the position of anchorman. But when he didn’t get it, he freaks out on live TV. And when he got fired, he blamed God for doing a lousy job, at lest for him. God then decides to give Bruce His powers, to allow Bruce to prove that he can really do better.

Bruce thoroughly enjoys his unlimited power at first. But he realizes later on that God has a very tough task of listening to, and answering all the prayers of everybody in the world. When he conveniently decided to grant everybody what they wanted, havoc ensues. He discovers that people basically pray for the same thing. Also, he discovered that the one thing he can't do, is alter a person's free will. This realization dawned on him after his girlfriend, Grace Connelly (Jennifer Aniston) finally ends their relationship, after being fed up with Bruce’s neglect for her. He finds out that if he wants her back, he has to do it the hard way.

As hilariously funny as this movie is, it provides insights into the characters of human beings and even of God Himself. The one that stands out most is that, despite His infinite power, it is still not easy to be God.

10) The Nativity Story

With today’s emphasis on Santa Claus, and mindless consumerism, this movie attempts to bring back the true message of Christmas. After being told by the Archangel Gabriel (Alexander Siddig) that she is to be the mother of the King of Kings, Mary (Keisha Castle-Hughes) embarks on a journey of several days through rugged terrain to assist her cousin, Elizabeth (Shohreh Aghdasholoo). There were no angels who carried her like the queen that she truly was.

Likewise, when Joseph (Oscar Isaac) and Mary made the 80 mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, they had to struggle against the realistic physical hardships of making the journey on foot, camping out in the open along the way, even as Mary's pregnancy becomes more advanced. Again, no angels, nor air-conditioning facilities to cool them from the heat of the sun during the day, nor heaters to keep them warm at night. When they reached Bethlehem, they had to settle for a stable. And when Jesus was born, He slept in a manger, or a feeding container from which farm animals feed.

Humility, simplicity, hardships, and self sacrifice are the predominant messages of Jesus’ birth. If you really ponder on these messages, they will most likely make you cry, that is, for happiness and gratitude that we have a God who loves us so intensely and infinitely, that He came as the humblest servant of all, and not as the Almighty King that He is.