LIVE, LEARN, & LOVE SERIES #96. The Soul Would Have No Rainbow If the Eyes Had No Tears (Native American Tribes' Proverbs collected by Guy A. Zona)

Do you take delight in watching films, listening to pop music, or reading books? For English learners, movies, songs, and books are one of the most wonderful sources to explore the language! You can indulge in your favorite pastime and still learn some expressions, words of wisdom, and oftentimes good lessons while you’re at it.

 

#96. The Soul Would Have No Rainbow If the Eyes Had No Tears (Book of Native American Proverbs) collected by Guy A. Zona

This book is a heartfelt tribute to the wisdom of Native American tribes and their rich oral tradition. They remind us to honor the earth as sacred, cherish every day as God's day, and celebrate the vital roles of women as mothers, teachers, artists, and leaders. Their timeless values offer gentle lessons in living with gratitude, balance, and respect.

 

“Do not judge your neighbor until you walk two moons in his moccasins.” ……Northern Cheyenne

ð   This Northern Cheyenne proverb reminds us to never judge anyone too quickly. Before forming an opinion about someone, we should first understand their journey, struggles, and life experiences. Walking "two moons" in another's moccasins symbolizes the time, empathy, and humility needed to truly see the world through another person's eyes.

 

“It is less of a problem to be poor than to be dishonest.”…..Anishinabe

ð   The Anishinabe proverb is teaching us that poverty is far less damaging than dishonesty. While a lack of wealth can change over time, integrity shapes who we are and how others trust us. True richness is found not in what we own, but in living with honesty, earning respect, and strengthening the bonds that hold a community together.

 

“Thoughts are like arrows: once released, they strike their mark. Guard them well or one day you may be your own victim.” …….Navajo

ð    The Navajo proverb tells us that our thoughts shape our lives. Like an arrow that cannot be recalled once released, our attitudes and intentions eventually become our words and actions. When we choose wisdom, kindness, and compassion, they bring healing. But if we nurture anger, bitterness, or grudge, we often end up hurting ourselves the most.

 

“Man’s law changes with his understanding of man. Only the laws of the spirit remain always the same.” …..Crow

ð    The Crow proverb shows that human laws may change with time or become tenuous depending on situations, but the laws of the spirit endure forever. While societies revise their rules as they learn and grow, timeless values like love, compassion, respect, and harmony remain constant. They serve as our true guide through every generation.

 

“I have been to the end of the earth.

I have been to the end of the waters.

I have been to the end of the sky.

I have been to the end of the mountains.

I have found none that are not my friends.” ….Navajo

ð   The Navajo concept of Hózhó, often translated as "Walking in Beauty," invites us to live in harmony, balance, and peace with all of creation. It reminds us that we are deeply connected to the natural world and that every part of life is worthy of respect. By choosing gratitude over fear and compassion over conflict, we learn to see the world not as an enemy, but as our shared home.

 

** Jean’s Small Thoughts:

As the title of this book - which is also the Minquass’ old saying – shows, joy often grows from sorrow. Just as a rainbow appears only after the rain, life's greatest beauty and deepest gratitude often emerge through tears and hardship. Pain can become a path to healing, helping us appreciate hope, strength, and happiness more fully. Perhaps that is why we keep moving forward, one day at a time, even when life doesn't seem to be on our side. Hope quietly reminds us that every storm eventually gives way to brighter skies.

Today, let me share the poem that I wrote when I visited the Museum of Native American Tribes in Cleveland, Ohio a while ago.

 

An Ode to Cuyahoga Valley

by Jean Jiyoung Lee

 

Along the twists and turns of the river,

All the leaves dredged in summer green holler with pain.

Listening to their roar,

We were led back to the remnant of the old days slain.

 

Who was it wearing innocent smiles in the upland plateau?

When was it that the indefatigable spirit got ousted with tear?

The Great blue Heron in the valley gives you a magnificent wing span

quite pseudo,

But her eyes are telling you the past in fear.

 

Streaming sounds mixed in the waterfall

Echo the voice lost for good, I'd say.

Breezy forest full of weeping wildflowers so tall

Resembles the hopeless eyes of yesterday.

LIVE, LEARN, & LOVE SERIES #95. The Taste of Things (film, 2023)

Do you take delight in watching films, listening to pop music, or reading books? For English learners, movies, songs, and books are one of the most wonderful sources to explore the language! You can indulge in your favorite pastime and still learn some expressions, words of wisdom, and oftentimes good lessons while you’re at it.

 

#95. The Taste of Things (film, 2023)

This is the story of Eugénie, a talented cook, and Dodin, the renowned gourmet she has worked with for more than 20 years. The film portrays love as something richer and more meaningful than banal romance, built upon 20 years of sharing meals, cooking together, and marveling at gastronomic breakthroughs. Their romance inspires extraordinary dishes that amaze even the world's finest chefs. But when Eugénie hesitates to commit, Dodin sets out to win her heart through his cooking. 

(Dodin said): “Happiness is desiring what you already have.”

ð  Dodin shows his personal philosophy about happiness here,. It suggests that real happiness comes from cherishing and rediscovering the people and blessings already in our lives instead of always seeking something new. As Dodin’s longtime cook and companion of over twenty years, Eugénie treasures her independence and refuses his marriage proposals, she remains a constant source of admiration and mystery to him. When he asks, "But you, have I ever had you?" he reveals that love continues to grow through appreciation rather than possession. Like its exquisite cuisine, the film reminds us that life's greatest joys come not from chasing novelty all the time, but from giving our fullest care and attention to the simple, meaningful moments already before us.

 

“What you lose in taste, you gain in color. Before, the flavor was stronger and coarser, now it's more subtle.”

ð     These lines show great cooking evolves from being bold and heavy to becoming delicate, balanced, and beautifully simple. We could think of the way of cooking process as a metaphor for growth in art, love, and life, where true beauty is found in quiet refinement rather than dramatic display. In other words, real mastery comes from removing what is unnecessary, allowing subtlety and harmony to shine. Like a chef perfecting a timeless recipe, love also matures over time, evolving from youthful intensity into a deeper, calmer connection. This philosophy is melted in the film's graceful, unhurried storytelling, letting each scene unfold with quiet elegance.

 

(Beaubois, one of Dodin Bouffant's inner circle of food connoisseurs, said) “Man is the only animal that drinks without thirst. Wine is the intellectual side of a meal; Meat and vegetables, the material side. Worse than hunger is not knowing when you'll eat.”

ð     This Food is more than a basic need—it enriches life. Sharing meals and enjoying wine turn eating into moments of joy, connection, and meaningful conversation. While food nourishes the body, these shared experiences also feed the mind and spirit. Cooking becomes an act of creativity and love, reminding us that life is about more than simply surviving.

 

(Eugene said): “I’m in the summer of my life. And when I leave, it will still be summer.”

ð     This is the scene where Eugénie is expressing her honest feelings against what Dodin says about the phase in life they are entering. It is far more than a remark about age—it is a declaration of how she experiences life, love, and the human spirit. The conversation begins when Dodin reflects that they are entering the "autumn" of their lives, a poetic acknowledgment that they have reached their later years which can be considered as the gentle approach of life's final season. Dodin accepts this reality with quiet resignation. On the contrary, Eugénie refuses to see herself through the same lens. With calm confidence, she replies, "Speak for yourself. I'm in the summer of my life. And when I leave, it will still be summer."

She is not denying death or pretending it will never come. Instead, she expresses a serene acceptance that death cannot erase the fullness with which she has lived. Her inner summer is not a temporary season determined by age or physical decline; it is a state of being that transcends mortality. Even when her body is gone, the warmth she has created—the love she has shared, the meals she has prepared, and the joy she has inspired—will continue to live in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

 

 

 

** Jean’s Small Thoughts:

I love this film not because I see it as a story primarily about feminism, but because it reminds us to experience every moment of life as if it were our one precious opportunity to embrace joy and meaning. Rather than dwelling on the passage of time, the film celebrates the richness of being fully alive.

Every meal she prepares reflects this inner vitality. I would say and completely agree on her thoughts in that cooking is not merely a domestic task; it is a language of love, artistic expression, and quiet celebration of existence. Through every carefully chosen ingredient, every delicate flavor, and every beautifully presented dish, we transform ordinary nourishment into moments of beauty and intimacy. Like Eugénie, I believe that a rich life is not defined by grand accomplishments but by our ability to inhabit ordinary moments with extraordinary attention. The simplest rituals—preparing a meal, sharing a conversation, or appreciating the beauty of nature—become deeply meaningful when we are fully present.

In this sense, I also see eye to eye with Dodin's observation that "happiness is continuing to desire what we already have." Rather than dwelling on what is missing or endlessly pursuing what lies beyond our reach, genuine contentment comes from cherishing the blessings already before us. His words remind us that fulfillment is not found in constant acquisition but in cultivating gratitude for the life we are already living. Together, Eugénie and Dodin offer a timeless philosophy: joy is born not from having more, but from loving more deeply what we already possess.

As long as one continues to embrace love, beauty, generosity, and wonder, the heart can remain forever in summer, regardless of age. Even after life ends, I believe that the warmth of a life (fully lived) continues to illuminate others, much like the lingering glow of a summer sunset after the sun has disappeared below the horizon.

Time to play the latest Sunday Puzzle from NPR!!!

Answer each clue with a word that starts with the same first two letters as the clue.

Ex. Planetoid beyond Neptune --> PLUTO

 

1. Car at the end of a train

2. Early spring holiday

3. Windshield clearer

4. Bank amount

5. Boxing match

6. "Gilmore ___"

7. What crop North Dakota raises a lot of

8. Burger holder

9. Almighty one, to Muslims

10. Canada's current prime minister

11. Supporting straps for pants

12. Oranges are grown in it

13. Bales of hay are stored in it

14. City where the Reds play

15. Melodious amusement park ride

 

 

Answer Keys

    1.  caboose

    2.  Easter

    3.  wipers

    4.  balance

    5.  bout

    6.  girls

    7.  wheat  

    8. bun

    9.  Allah

    10.  Carney

    11.  suspenders

    12.  orchard

    13.  barn

    14.  Cincinnati

    15.  merry-go-round

Zodiac Sign LEO

 Were you born between July 23 and August 22? If so, your Western zodiac sign is Leo, the Latin word for "lion." On a different note, the name "Leo" always reminds me of our beloved Pope Leo XIV! (Just for fun, his zodiac sign is actually Virgo.) He chose the name Leo XIV to honor Pope Leo XIII, who is especially remembered for his profound social teachings.

Today, let's discover Leo's bold, charismatic, and natural leadership traits by filling in the blanks below using the descriptions provided in the passage.

**POSITIVE TRAITS OF LEOS

Leos are often described as 1. ________hearted, showing courage and standing up for what they believe in. They are 2. d_______mic and full of energy, with a natural charisma that draws people in. 3. A_______t and passionate, they pursue their dreams with determination.

Their 4. ex______ce makes life exciting for those around them, and above all, they are deeply 5. ________yal, standing by the people they love through thick and thin.

 

**TRAITS THAT GET IN LEOS’ WAYS

Like every zodiac sign, Leos also have traits that can become challenges. Their confidence may sometimes come across as 6. arro_________, and their strong convictions can make them 7. inf__________. Their ambition may lead to 8. jea________y or an overly 9. c________titive spirit, and their high standards can sometimes make them 10. de______ing of others.

 

(**source from dictionary.com)

Answer Keys 

    1.  lionhearted

    2.  dynamic

    3.  ardent

    4.  exuberance

    5.  loyal

    6.  arrogance

    7.  inflexible

    8.  jealousy

    9.  competitive

    10. demanding

LIVE, LEARN, & LOVE SERIES #94. Minimalism (film, 2015)

 Do you take delight in watching films, listening to pop music, or reading books? For English learners, movies, songs, and books are one of the most wonderful sources to explore the language! You can indulge in your favorite pastime and still learn some expressions, words of wisdom, and oftentimes good lessons while you’re at it.

 

#94. Minimalism (documentary, 2015)

This documentary expands its exploration of the minimalist movement through intimate interviews with individuals from various walks of life who have consciously rejected the deeply ingrained American belief that happiness is measured by material success. Their stories reveal how stepping away from relentless consumerism and redefining personal values can lead to a more intentional, meaningful, and fulfilling life. Rather than accumulating possessions, they embrace the idea that genuine contentment arises from purpose, relationships, and experiences, inviting viewers to reconsider what it truly means to live well.

 

(Rick Hansen, PhD. Neuropsychologist):

“Why is it that at the same time there is such a longing for more? I think of that as a kind of biologically based delusional craving that auto craving is a good strategy to keep animals alive including early human animals in really harsh conditions. But these days today it creates a disconnect. You’re like a puppet whose strings are being pulled by Mother Nature and evolution reaching back tens of millions of years. We still feel restless, we still are always scratching and going for more.”

ð     Our relentless desire to acquire more possessions is rooted in humanity's evolutionary past. For our earliest ancestors, the instinct to seek more food, shelter, and resources was essential for survival in an unpredictable world. What once safeguarded human life, however, has become a psychological burden in modern society.

Dr. Hansen argues that this ancient survival instinct is poorly suited to an age of abundance. Instead of helping us survive, it often fuels excessive consumption, convincing us that happiness lies in accumulating more than we truly need. As a result, many people become trapped in a cycle of endless wanting, only to discover that material abundance rarely brings lasting fulfillment. At its core, the quote portrays evolution as an invisible puppeteer, quietly pulling the strings of human behavior. We are driven by instincts forged thousands of years ago, leaving us restless, dissatisfied, and perpetually chasing the illusion that the next purchase will finally make us happy.

 

(Shannon Whitehead, sustainable-apparel consultant):

“American culture has for the most part these blinders on. There’s definitely this illusion of what our lives should look like. Whether it’s advertising or your Instagram or your Facebook feed, it’s this illusion that our lives should be perfect.”

ð   She warns that many people become trapped in the pursuit of an artificial ideal of success and happiness, one carefully crafted by social media, advertising, and consumer culture. It exposes the illusion of perfection that persuades us to believe our lives should mirror flawless images and luxurious lifestyles that often bear little resemblance to reality. That is to say, the unrealistic standards promoted by modern media make people delirious. Endless streams of curated photographs, glamorous lifestyles, and targeted advertisements create the false impression that fulfillment can be purchased or displayed. Rather than inspiring contentment, these images foster comparison, dissatisfaction, and an unrelenting desire for more.

"blinders" suggests that people become so captivated by society's expectations that they lose sight of what genuinely matters. They chase status, possessions, and external approval without questioning whether these pursuits align with their own values or bring lasting happiness.

 

(Joshua Fields Millburn, the corporate guy who became a minimalist): “There’s a template out there, and you can call it the American dream or keeping up with the Joneses or whatever. That’s just “a” template, it not “the” template. And once we realize that, we can create our own template that works just for us.”

ð   Joshua had been an ordinary corporate employee who used to buy and possess many things from books, clothes, film DVD, VHSs and you name it. He challenges one of society's most deeply rooted assumptions that there is only one accepted path to happiness and success. He points out that the lifestyle often marketed as the "American Dream"—defined by material wealth, social status, and endless consumption—is not a universal destination but merely one possible blueprint among countless others.

Since the awakening moment of realizing minimal life, he started to oppose conformity. Modern culture encourages people to keep up with ever-rising standards of success, persuading them to accumulate larger homes, newer cars, and more possessions in pursuit of happiness. Yet this carefully constructed ideal often comes at the cost of financial stress, constant comparison, and a sense of never having enough.

The quote also exposes the illusion of "the" template—the belief that society's prescribed lifestyle is the only legitimate way to live. By replacing the template with “a” template, it reveals a powerful truth: the conventional path is simply one option, not an obligation. Recognizing this distinction empowers individuals to break free from external expectations and redefine success on their own terms.

  

** Jean’s Small Thoughts:

I never considered myself someone who lived a lavish life surrounded by a sprawling mansion, an expensive classic car, designer handbags, or luxury clothing. If those are the usual measures of wealth, I certainly would not classify myself as materially extravagant. In fact, I have often thought of myself as leaning toward minimalism because I have never felt compelled to acquire things simply to satisfy other people's expectations. I rarely replace furniture unless it is beyond repair, buy a new car unless the old one no longer runs reliably, or remodel my home simply to keep up with changing trends.

Yet this documentary gently challenged that self-perception. As I reflected on my own life, I realized how many unnecessary possessions I have accumulated over the years—more workout clothes than I need, countless pairs of compression socks, more than enough pairs of running shoes to rotate in my training, lipsticks in nearly identical shades, multiple pairs of sunglasses, and drawers overflowing with kitchen utensils. I had assumed I was living simply, but the film made me realize that I, too, had gradually absorbed the consumer culture surrounding me. Without even noticing, years of living in America's highly commercialized environment had quietly shaped my habits and desires.

The film reminds us that the relentless pursuit of a manufactured dream often obscures life's deepest sources of joy. By letting go of society's carefully constructed illusions and embracing simplicity, authenticity, and meaningful human connections, we can rediscover a richer and more enduring sense of fulfillment. Rather than accepting a prepackaged formula for happiness, it encourages us to create our own blueprint—one rooted in personal values, purposeful experiences, and inner peace rather than material possessions. We are not obligated to live the life society has designed for us. Genuine success is not measured by cultural expectations but by the conscious choices that reflect who we truly are.

Perhaps that is why we can find profound peace on a small yoga mat, in a quiet reading corner, or while sitting silently with our thoughts, regardless of how large or luxurious our homes may be. When we make time each day to meet our most authentic, unguarded selves, we discover that fulfillment requires neither abundance nor extravagance. In the end, very little is needed to make a day meaningful and make sense to us —only the presence to appreciate what already is.

Will I never buy another pair of running shoes again? That, I honestly don't know. Perhaps minimalism isn't about never purchasing something new; it's about being mindful of why we buy it in the first place. If a new pair genuinely serves a purpose rather than simply satisfying an impulse, maybe that's enough.

For now, I'll keep practicing—not perfection, but awareness.

Namaste.

         

LIVE, LEARN, & LOVE SERIES #93. Rekindled (authored by Dr. Jan Canty, Ph.D)

Do you take delight in watching films, listening to pop music, or reading books? For English learners, movies, songs, and books are one of the most wonderful sources to explore the language! You can indulge in your favorite pastime and still learn some expressions, words of wisdom, and oftentimes good lessons while you’re at it.

 

#93. Rekindled (authored by Jan Canty, Ph.D, ABPP)  

Rekindled, written by grief psychologist, homicide survivor, and podcast host Dr. Jan Canty, blends decades of clinical expertise with her own personal experiences and compelling research on After-Death Communication (ADC). Through this thoughtful exploration of spontaneous ADC experiences and the nature of death, she offers readers both scientific inquiry and heartfelt compassion. This book provides an insightful and comforting perspective on grief, death, and the possibility of what may lie beyond.

 

“They recognize that just because something can’t be explained doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. My goal is simple. If we can move the needle for greater awareness and acceptance of spontaneous ADCs, it will benefit grievers who have had, or who will have, spontaneous postmortem communication.”

ð     In this quote, Dr. Jan Canty encourages readers to acknowledge After-Death Communications (ADCs)—such as vivid dreams, an unmistakable sense of a loved one's presence, or meaningful signs—even when they cannot be explained scientifically. Her purpose is not to persuade readers to adopt a particular belief, but rather to normalize these experiences, reduce the stigma surrounding them, and offer comfort to those who are grieving.

     An experience should not be dismissed simply because it falls outside conventional scientific understanding. Instead, its value can be recognized by the profound comfort, hope, and healing it brings to the person who experiences it. Dr. Canty advocates creating a compassionate, judgment-free environment where mourners can openly share these deeply personal experiences. Many grieving individuals remain silent for fear of being misunderstood or ridiculed. By validating ADCs rather than dismissing them, she believes we can help grieving people feel less isolated and more supported on their journey toward healing.

 

“Before the late 1800s, grief in Western Culture was publicly discussed and displayed. Death and its aftermath were viewed “holistically”. Life and death were interconnected, part of a unified system. People widely accepted that the soul continued with the living through dreams, prayers, visions, and nature. Everything in the universe (humans, animals, and nature) was widely regarded as interconnected.”

ð    Dr. Jan Canty reflects on how Western society's understanding of death has changed over time. She explains that before the late nineteenth century, grief was regarded as a natural and communal part of life rather than a private burden to be hidden. Death was viewed as an integral part of life's journey, not as something to be feared or separated from everyday existence.

People embraced a holistic view of life and death, seeing death as a continuation of life's journey rather than an abrupt ending. Second, mourning was a public and communal experience, allowing family members, friends, and neighbors to openly express grief while offering one another comfort and support. Third, there was a continued sense of connection with those who had died. Many people accepted that loved ones could remain present in meaningful ways—through dreams, nature, or other symbolic signs—providing reassurance to those left behind.

She suggests that as modern society has become more private and clinical in its approach to death, many people have lost the openness that once allowed them to recognize and talk about these comforting experiences. Rather than asking readers to adopt a particular belief, she invites them to consider how earlier cultural attitudes toward death may offer valuable insights into grief, healing, and the enduring bonds of love.

 

“It is impossible to go on as you were before. So, you go on as you never have.” (quote from Cheryl Strayed in this book)

ð    Cheryl Strayed's well-known quote from Tiny Beautiful Things speaks to the profound reality of life after devastating loss, trauma, or grief. Rather than offering false reassurance that life will eventually return to normal, she acknowledges a difficult truth: once we experience a life-altering event, we can never fully return to the person we once were. A profound loss permanently changes the landscape of our lives. The world we once knew no longer exists, and trying to recreate our former selves or reclaim the life we had before often leads to frustration and sorrow. So, we gradually rebuild our identity, develop new ways of coping, and discover reserves of courage, resilience, and wisdom that we may never have recognized within ourselves.

In the context of Dr. Jan Canty's work on grief and trauma, Strayed's words beautifully complement the book's central message. Healing is not about "getting over" a loss or returning to who we once were. Instead, it is about embracing transformation—learning to carry our grief while allowing it to reshape us into people with greater compassion, deeper understanding, and renewed purpose. Rather than erasing the pain or trying to repristinate ourselves into yester-us, healing integrates it into the story of our lives, enabling us to move forward with strength while continuing to honor those we have loved and lost.

 

Setting the annual ritual tables for my beloved dad in January and father-in-law in August is my way of communicating with them.

** Jean’s Small Thoughts:

As we grow older, we inevitably hear more news of someone's passing. It may be a family member, a dear friend, a neighbor, or even a celebrity whose poster once hung on our bedroom wall. Whenever such news reaches us, what is the very first thought that comes to mind? Do we believe those who have departed have completely severed their connection with this world?

This book does not ask readers to accept the existence of invisible communication with the dead. Instead, it invites us into an open conversation about death—one that encourages us to stop avoiding the subject and honestly share the unexpected experiences that sometimes accompany the loss of someone we love.

The year 2017 was especially heartbreaking for me. Within just a few months, I lost both my father and my cousin. There is no single word that can capture such grief. It leaves us weeping, aching, quiet, and withdrawn.

After their passing, I experienced several moments that felt like subtle connections with them, though I never realized these experiences had a name. A lone white butterfly appeared at my grandparents' gravesite long after butterfly season had ended. I saw vivid images of both my father and my father-in-law around the time of their deaths. During a trail race shortly after my cousin passed away, a striking blue bird appeared along the path, as if offering a silent greeting. I quietly treasured these moments, believing they were too personal to share.

This book introduced me to the concept of After-Death Communication (ADC), a phenomenon that has also been explored in psychology and medicine. Rather than dismissing these experiences as wishful thinking, hallucinations, superstition, religious zeal, or attention-seeking, the author presents research suggesting that ADC often consists of vivid, spontaneous encounters between grieving individuals and their departed loved ones—without the involvement of mediums, hypnosis, or other techniques.

Whether you ultimately embrace or question the idea of ADC, I believe this book offers comfort to anyone navigating grief. It gently reminds us that love does not necessarily end when a life does.

I would like to close by sharing a short poem I wrote after losing my beloved father and cousin, a poem that also appears in my novel. My heartfelt prayers go out to everyone who is walking the difficult path of saying goodbye to someone they deeply love. Lastly, my heart and prayers are with my mother’s best friend Mrs. Lee who has recently left for Heaven and her beloved family.

 

 

Hope and Pray for You in Heaven

by Jean J. Lee

The days you left behind

have felt like the most unfamiliar grind.

When I hit quiet trails

I hear my breathing becoming sad exhales.

 

The empty hollow filled with sorrow

Makes it harder to hope for tomorrow.

Here I go again with another stride

slowly but tenaciously with you inside.

 

A hundred-mile-long walk is not lonely

as you are watching over me closely.

Miles and miles apart between Heaven and earth in existence,

but walking these miles would truly shorten the distance.

 

I know that I’d cry now and then

but I promise I’d head out again.

When it rains, I’ll think of it as your gift

to hide my tears as I sniffed.

 

When it snows, I’ll listen to my footsteps

in my joyful stroll of a hundred steps.

A birdie on that cedar tree

must be that you are finally free.

LIVE, LEARN, & LOVE SERIES #92. Nuremberg (film, 2025)

Do you take delight in watching films, listening to pop music, or reading books? For English learners, movies, songs, and books are one of the most wonderful sources to explore the language! You can indulge in your favorite pastime and still learn some expressions, words of wisdom, and oftentimes good lessons while you’re at it.

 

#92. Nuremberg (film, 2025)

The film follows U.S. Army psychiatrist Douglas Kelley (played by Rami Malek) as he delves into the minds of Hermann Göring (played by Russell Crowe) and other captured Nazi leaders, probing their psyches while monitoring their mental states before and during the historic Nuremberg trials.

 

(Dr. Doug Kelley said): “If we could psychologically define 'evil', we could make sure something like this never happens again."

ð     Dr. Douglas Kelley reveals his early hope that human evil could be traced to a biological or psychological defect. He believes that if such a flaw could be identified, future atrocities might be prevented.

However, his investigation of Hermann Göring and other Nazi leaders leads him to a chilling conclusion: they are not clinically abnormal, but disturbingly ordinary. This revelation echoes the philosophical idea of the "banality of evil," suggesting that history's greatest horrors were committed not by monsters, but by ordinary people who justified the unimaginable under certain circumstances.

 

(the Pope said to the Supreme Court Justice Jackson): “If you sit long enough in judgment of others, you come to believe that laws of man outweigh the laws of God.”

ð     This is the scene where the Pope's is warning to Justice Jackson about the danger of legal arrogance. As judges wield greater authority, they risk mistaking human law for absolute truth and replacing timeless moral principles with laws shaped by politics and power. The film contrasts the changing laws of man with the enduring standards of a higher moral order. This tension lies at the heart of the Nuremberg trials, where the Allies established new international legal principles to prosecute Nazi leaders. The Pope's challenge exposes a profound paradox: if those in power can rewrite or bend the law in the name of justice, justice itself can become an expression of the victor's will rather than an objective moral truth.

 

(Dr. Doug Kelley): “What do you want from me?”

(Justice Jackson): “I need you to start asking them the right questions.”

(Dr. Doug Kelley): “You want me to break doctor-patient confidentiality. Why not just shoot them and be done with it?”

(Justice Jackson): “After the last great war, we made Germany to crawl. We humiliated them. If we just shoot these men, we make ‘em martyrs. I’m not gonna allow them that.”

ð     This scene captures the ethical clash between Dr. Douglas Kelley and Justice Jackson over the role of psychology in prosecuting Nazi leaders. Jackson insists that the trials must do more than punish the guilty—they must expose and dismantle Nazi ideology through the rule of law. Rather than creating martyrs through summary execution, the prosecution seeks to hold the defendants accountable before the world, leaving behind an enduring historical record of their crimes.

 

(Hermann Göring said to Dr. Doug Kelley): “Just because a man is your ally does not mean he is on your side.”

ð     This is the scene where we see Göring's cynical view of power and loyalty. He means to say that allies may cooperate when interests align, but they will always protect themselves first. These words show his Machiavellian worldview, where trust is merely a temporary convenience. At the same time, it serves as a psychological tactic aimed at Dr. Kelley, planting seeds of doubt by suggesting that his own superiors and colleagues will eventually abandon him once he is no longer useful. In doing so, Göring exposes the ruthless survival instinct that shaped both his philosophy and his manipulation of others.

 

(Dr. Kelley on a radio talk show): “They (the Nazis high ranking officials) are not a unique people. There are people like the Nazis in every country in the world today. Yes, in America (as well)! Their personal patterns are not obscure. They are people who want to be in power. I would say I’m quite certain there are people in America who would willingly climb over the corpses of half the American public if they knew they could gain control of the other half. They stoke hatred. It’s what Hitler and Göring did. And it is textbook. If you think the next time it happens, we’re gonna recognize it because they’re wearing scary uniforms, …you’re damn out of your mind.”

ð    On a radio talk show, Dr. Douglas Kelley delivers a chilling warning: “evil is not confined to history but rooted in human nature.” He reminds us that authoritarianism can emerge in any nation, fueled by fear, division, and the pursuit of power rather than by unmistakable villains. That is, the Nazi ideology was not a one-time historical anomaly but a universal human possibility.

  

** Jean’s Small Thoughts:

This film presents the enduring legacy of the Nazi regime's atrocities against the Jewish people during World War II, inviting viewers to reflect not only on history but also on the world we inhabit today. The film reminds us that demagogues rise through ruthless ambition, sacrificing truth and human lives in their pursuit of power. As Dr. Douglas Kelley observes in the film's closing moments, tyranny rarely arrives in a recognizable form. It often wears an ordinary face, exploiting fear, prejudice, and division long before its true nature becomes apparent. By the time society recognizes the danger, it may already be too late.

This warning extends far beyond the historical setting of the Nuremberg Trials. Even today, governments justify military invasions, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, and the loss of innocent lives in the name of justice, national security, or peacekeeping. History demonstrates how easily noble ideals can be invoked to rationalize actions that inflict immense human suffering.

The film's message also resonates in my home country, South Korea. The newly elected president has pledged to revive the struggling economy and reform the prosecution to root out long-standing corruption. Yet political infighting and competing personal ambitions have repeatedly hindered these efforts. As the film wisely cautions, "Just because a man is your ally does not mean he is on your side." The pursuit of power can fracture even those who outwardly share the same goals.

Perhaps the film's most unsettling insight is that evil is not the product of extraordinary monsters but a latent capacity within ordinary human beings. By portraying the Nuremberg Trials as a triumph of the rule of law rather than an act of vengeance, the movie argues that justice rooted in universal humanistic principles remains the strongest safeguard against repeating history's darkest chapters. The realization that these patterns continue to unfold across the world today makes the film not merely a historical drama, but an urgent and sobering reflection on the fragility of justice and the enduring vulnerability of human nature.

 

"The only clue to what man can do is what man has done." 

-  R.G. Collingwood