A Lesson From The Empire Strikes Back

A Lesson from The Empire Strikes Back

Directed by Irvin Kershner and based on a George Lucas story, this was the second of the three original Star Wars films. Released in 1980, it is considered by many to be the darkest of the Star Wars trilogy, but this is not necessarily so. This film shows that there will be troubling times when we must learn to cope while accepting life’s turmoil.  To move past this turmoil, we must accept our situation and be OK with the emotions that are attached to it if we want to achieve the outcome we desire.

Although this film doesn’t provide a happy ending for rebel forces and characters like Luke Skywalker ( Mark Hamill) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford) , it demonstrates that you have to face your challenges head-on and work to stay focused regardless of your situation and doubts, so that you can win in the end (The Return of the Jedi).

If Skywalker had given up at the end of The Empire Strikes Back, there would have been no possibility of a triumphant return. Instead of giving up when it seemed as though all was lost, a teacher was provided to him in the form of Yoda (voiced by Frank Oz) who does his best to show Skywalker, the maturing Jedi, that he needs to be calm in the midst of the chaos if he wants to defeat the dark forces around him. Although at first Skywalker doubts his teachings, after putting the wise sages instructions into practice, he realizes that he must first conquer his own fears before he can defeat his true enemy ― the dark side of the force.

The Quote:

Yoda: Do, or do not. There is no ‘try’.

The Lesson:

If you set your sights on a goal, let nothing get in your way of trying to accomplish it. Don’t make excuses or rationalize about whether or not you can accomplish a goal because this type of “paralyses through analysis” only gets in your way. Once you start along a path, keep going. If you get diverted from the path a few times, take stock of your approach and get right back on track and keep trying to achieve your goal.

Nothing is wrong with coming up short while working toward you dream, as long as you learn from your mistakes and redouble your efforts to create the reality that you desire. Remember the old saying: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” The key to evolving in life is not to remain stagnant out of fear or hesitation.

When you feel these emotions, calm your mind and figure out what the next step is. It doesn’t matter whether you meditate, practice yoga, go for a walk, or sit and contemplate the grass growing, as long as you can achieve a relaxed mental state that helps you find a solution to your immediate problem. As long as you keep seeing yourself accomplishing your goal, you’re on the right path.