Akeelah and the Bee

We all watched Akeelah and the Bee yesterday. I would recommend this movie. What was strange to me was the fact that of all the movies out there to choose from, Alex and Marisa wanted to see this one. It kept their attention throughout. Perhaps it was because Alex has an interest in entering a Spelling Bee. And Marisa looks up to her brother.

The movie is about a young girl living in a very 'tough' neighborhood in South Los Angeles. She has a gift of spelling. Hence the title of the movie. OK, I admit that the movie was very predictable and seemed to play up the different racial stereotypes a bit much. But it was very inspiring and there were many good messages and lessons throughout. You won't be disappointed.

from movie: "...Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." --Marianne Williamson (incorrectly attributed to Nelson Mandela in the film)