I didn’t plan on ever doing a movie review on here. But the message in “Wonder” was so powerful and so pertinent with what is going on in the world today that I thought I had to talk about it. I don’t want to ruin the movie for anyone, so I will keep as much about the actual move as I can out of this post and instead try to focus on the message.

The movie is about a boy who has was born with major facial deformities and his journey when he starts school in the fifth grade (he was home schooled up until then). The judgement he got from kids and adults and how he deals with it, as well as how his family deals with it is the focus on the show.

I loved this quote that one of the teachers wrote on the board right at the begining of the movie:

“When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind. – Dr Wayne W. Dyer”

The message is so true. And I wish that more of us made this our goal/mantra for our daily life. I’m sure our world would be a much better place if we did. I know I am going to try to think about this quote before I speak. Our words & subtle looks can hurt others. Saying things without thought can be so hurtful without actually meaning to be. Sometimes we say things we don’t mean, or assume that it will be taken as a joke, but often it isn’t and it just hurts someone else. The one I’m going to try to be more aware of and try not to do is point out why someone is wrong about things that are insignificant. Really all it accomplishes is making someone else feel badly. There are kind ways to educate people, and often we are pointing out things that are a matter of opinion. The other thing I want to be more aware of is comments about things that others have no control over. I feel I have already started doing this, but I also want to stick up for people who may not defend themselves.

I don’t have kids, but if I did it would definitely be a movie that I would watch with them. It has a very powerful message about empathy and shows different moments from different peoples perspectives. I hope that it brings more awareness to our societies faults, and I hope that more people choose to be kind!

Oh and bring tissue, this movie brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion.