No, these photos aren’t a cowboy or urban themed shoot. (Contrary to the “Urban Cowboy” title.) They are pretty. They are bright. They are anything but cowboy. But, today my mind is on other things than the shoot itself.
When I work out at the gym I like to stream a TV show or movie on Netflix from my phone. It helps pass the time and keeps me motivated to work out longer. Recently, I watched the movie, Urban Cowboy which stars John Travlota back when he was still damned hot!
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No, this is not a post about how hot John Travolta used to be. But, I got a little side tracked. We can all dream about the past–can’t we?!
The movie is a bit corny, but it really got me thinking about a certain theme in my life and so many other’s lives.
The basic story behind Urban Cowboy is that Bud (John Travolta) gets in a fight with his wife Sissy, and won’t apologize. They both really love each other, but they basically aren’t getting back together because Bud can’t eat some of his pride and apologize. He has a conversation with his “Uncle Bob” about this situation. His uncle tells him that sometimes you have to swallow your pride to find happiness in life. As quoted from the movie:
- Uncle Bob: You know Bud; sometimes even a cowboy’s gotta swallow his pride to hold on to somebody he loves.
- Bud (John Travolta): What do you mean?
- Uncle Bob: Hell I know, I pretty near lost Corrine and the kids a couple of times just ’cause of pride. You know you think that ol’ pride’s gonna choke you going down but I tell you what ain’t a night goes by I don’t thank the boss up there for giving me a big enough throat. ‘Cause without Corrine and them kids hell I’d just be another pile of dog shit in the cantaloupe patch just drawing flies.
- Bud: I guess so.
- Uncle Bob: Think about it Bud, pride’s one of those seven deadlies, you know what I mean?
For your viewing pleasure, the video version of the above quote:
Maybe Urban Cowboy is a weird catalyst for philosophical thinking, but even the random-est, dumbest thing can plant a seed in your brain. The theme of ‘pride’ in Urban Cowboy is my catalyst for this theme in my own life.
I see so many people choosing pride over happiness (myself included in certain circumstances over the years). Sometimes pride can eat you up inside and hold you back from living the life your truly meant to live. Be it a romance, friendship, job, home… Pride can keep you from things and people because so many can’t let it go.
When do we have to humble ourselves so that we don’t end up limiting our lives? When does pride need to be let go and when should it be held onto?
