Taking the road less traveled

Happiness is a difficult word to define. Everybody wants it but no one really understands how to achieve it – including me. Where can I find happiness? That is the question that I have often thought about and which recurs in the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun. After watching the film, I had a glimmer of where to find happiness.

Under the Tuscan Sun is the story of Frances Maye, a woman who epitomizes security and "happiness." She works as a book critic and is married to a wonderful husband. Everything is perfect – until Frances’ paradise suddenly crumbles when her husband divorces her and leaves her for another woman. It turns out that her "happiness" is simply a veneer that, when chipped away, reveals a sad life.

Frances’ best friend Patti comes to the rescue, offering her with a trip to Tuscany. While there, Frances finds herself impulsively buying a rundown villa. Throwing pragmatism aside, she attempts to rebuild the house and her life along with it.

The movie presents viewers with breathtaking Italian landscapes as it does characters who help Frances on her journey. One of these is Katherine, an eccentric and beautiful actress for the great Frederico Fellini. She introduces Frances to licking ice cream on the cobblestoned streets of Tuscany and what ensues is one of my most favorite scenes in the movie. She playfully asks Frances if she will buy the small villa for sale. Frances replies, "The way my life is currently going, that would be a terrible idea." Katherine responds with a mischievous smile and says, "Terrible ideas... Don’t you just love those?"

With this brief exchange of words, I thought about my own terrible ideas – ideas that only seemed terrible because they asked me to step out of my comfort zone. How many of us have had these? After some time, I came to the conclusion that it’s precisely these ideas in our wildest imagination that make us feel alive and vibrant. I thought to myself that perhaps such terrible ideas deserve a second look.

Under the Tuscan Sun brims with wisdom hidden under "careless" conversation. It weaves its story quietly and subtly as we enjoy the sights of Italy. Polish workers, Italian villagers and Americans come together in a story with such heart and warmth.

Under the Tuscan Sun is one in a long line of movies and works of art that gently remind me to undertake life without second-guessing myself. It is easy to forget that life is truly a journey. Amidst the schedules, routines and safety nets we have placed upon ourselves, there is a greater world out there for us to live in. We take what life has to offer us because it is the easiest way. Psychology terms this "the path of least resistance" versus Robert Frost’s "road less traveled."

If there is one thing that anyone should remember after watching the movie, it is that, as Katherine says, "You must live your life spherically, in all directions. Never lose your childlike enthusiasm. Do this and everything will come your way."

Under the Tuscan Sun challenges us to live spherical lives, wonder-full lives. What else must our lives be but that?