Log Entry: 1

I went to the theater to see Avatar for the first time a long while ago.

At first I was just like everyone else. Supper skeptical and doubtful of how truly deep the movie would be. I thought just like my father did at the time, this is just another stupid animated movie. Why is everyone so psyched about it? I mean, it sounds like the anime series (That's what I thought it was at first, a movie to the "Avatar" anime series.)

I was out-ranged by all the fans I saw. I hated to be associated with them when I came into the theater. I thought to my self, why am I here? Aren't I better then this? Don't I have better things to do then come here and watch this stupid movie? ...

What nonsense I used to think.. I mean, really. I thought I was so much better then those people, that they are all just crazy fans who don't understand anything. Anything being life. Who is to say I do either, right?! But I was determined in believing I knew better then them. I was better then them. And the fact that my friends pulled me out of my house to go see it, was below me.

I was stupid and ignorant. I never experienced anything like it before, thus I didn't know what I was getting my self into. Believing that I've seen and felt better, I still proceeded into the theater with major doubts.

1 hour went by. I was shocked. Only halfway through the movie I actually wanted to turn around and talk to all the people I knew in the audience about how thrilled I was to be there. How amazing I thought it all was. Of course, no one would have cared nor allowed me to speak for everyone was just as shocked as me to be watching the most breathtaking film of their life. Many I'm sure didn't open their eyes then, however, those people never will. You can only feel bad for them now, you cannot help someone who doesn't want to accept help, right.

I didn't express much emotion during the film. When hometree was destroyed I felt saddened that nature was once again destroyed by humans, but I didn't feel it... not yet. I left the theater with the most surreal feeling, there are more amazing things in life!

As I opened the door to enter my house, I saw my dog. The first response he gave me was of course that of any pet, pure joy and excitement that his master is home. From that day forward, I never looked at my dog the same. I saw him in completely new light, a light that was pitch black before. I escorted him outside and while watching him jump up and wiggle his tail, my heart jumped with him. My eyes were watering, I couldn't believe it. For the first time in my life I didn't see my dog as inferior to me, but in fact equal. Perhaps, even better then me on many levels.

I saw my dog as an equal to me both intellectually and physically. I know this sounds strange and made-up, but it's nothing but the truth. I have always had respect for him, but after experiencing Avatar, I respected him more as a living, breathing creature. I didn't feel the need to be angry when he did something wrong, nor did I punish him for all his doggy miss-doings. I understood that he is the way he is because... that's just the way thing are. A dog is a dog, and one must respect that fact and respect the creature for being who he is. Not who you want him/her to be.

This was the first real change in my life after experiencing Avatar. If you notice I don't say "watch or seen" but rather "experience" because I don't see Avatar as a simple movie or film. But rather a life experience, something everyone of us must experience to really understand the many things we have in life that we miss-understand or under-appreciate.

Avatar, the first time I experienced it, opened my eyes to the world, the planet. That I'm not better then it, not superior to other life forms, nor am I more important because I walk on two legs instead of four. Avatar changed the way I see things, and I will never go back to thinking the way I did before.


Change number one: Respect for other living creatures besides my self.
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