Finally, I saw the movie.
Seems like I am the only person on the planet not to have experienced it.
Lots to think about, but the question at hand, posed to me by an old friend (who will now always be “Red” in my mind)… am I Andy Dufresne?
I was fond of the analogy during my last few years of work as being in prison. Work hell. But in watching The Shawshank Redemption it is certainly a huge stretch to compare that horrific prison experience to work. Even a work life as bad as the one I lived. Then again, we all have our different concept of hell, based on our experiences. The hell to which we are subjected. The hell we may create in our minds.
Getting past the severity of Shawshank (it took me a couple of days), the next hurdle is the intelligence, strength, and cunning of Andy Dufresne. I couldn’t match it.
But putting that aside, I see it. I AM Andy Dufresne. Work was hell for me. And for many others in my business. Gawd, I hope it is better for those still there. The corrupt and brutal warden. The evil prison guards. The less than human prisoners. All have their wild similarities to the former realm. And I developed a plan. A plan to get out. Slowly, eventually. The thing is though, comparison by comparison, it has become difficult for me to remember the emotional intensity. The old life is so very far away, I almost can’t remember it. I can no longer pull those emotions forward and deeply examine them.
But the movie ending! I am living the ending every single day.
Then I wondered, maybe Andy Dufresne was able to wash Shawshank from his memory? Wash it away in the warm, blue sea?
Andy Dufresne : You know what the Mexicans say about the Pacific?
Red : No.
Andy Dufresne : They say it has no memory. That’s where I want to live the rest of my life. A warm place with no memory.
I had my answer. A place with no memory. I found mine, my paradise. In a special way… I AM Andy Dufresne.
