Barbie took the cinematic world by storm this summer in part, because it presents a profound story of our humanity within its neon pink glow. Barbie, long a symbol of skewed feminine ideals, represents for all of us the superficial guise of existence; the fake selves we present to the world through our social media lenses and often fall into believing is our true selves. The turning point in the movie is when, in the midst of plastic smiles and dance party glitter, Barbie blurts out, “You guys ever think about dying?” Stop music. Utter silence. No one knows how to respond and as Barbie is quickly dismissed, the group goes back to dancing – because dancing is more fun than talking about dying. Yet, this is the point when everything changes, when Barbie – representing us – suspects there is more to the one-dimensional life she has been living and begins to discover her humanity.
This is something only death can do. The realization that this life will end and in the midst of it, we will experience the pain of losing things we love, is the essence of being human. In acknowledging the impermanence of our lives we are able to experience the profound beauty that comes with it; a realization that can only happen when we are willing to live with the pain of loss that exists alongside the presence of joy.
The only thing capable of breaking us out of our stiff, plastic lives is recognizing that life is lived beyond the Instagram-perfect selfies and ideal sound bites we have crafted. Authentic living is found in the truth of death; in the impermanence of this life and knowing every experience is fleeting, and therefore precious.
So, you guys ever think about dying? Maybe we should.
Authenticity....Amen 😘