5 Share-Worthy Lessons I've Learned from Star Wars

X-Wing Fighter I drew in college.

Growing up I was into biking, swimming in lakes, skiing, enjoying nature, playing sports, and doing art. Much the same as today, really. I idolized Bugs Bunny for his wit and creativity, Wonder Woman for her strength and independence, and Grizzly Adams for his ability to be at peace in nature.

Star Wars, however, helped uncover my knowledge of self.​​

As a kid, I would reenact the Star Wars movies on the tanbark, enlisting any friends willing to put up with my delusions of grandeur. At home, my brother and I would reenact different battle scenes pretending to be Han or Chewie and, as we got older, would sit and watch the movies on VHS and quote the lines along with the movies' progress.

As a college student at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, I would cut class on cold snowy mornings, make pancakes and coffee, and settle in to watch whichever Star Wars movie was tempting me that day. It was a ritual. I mean, really, what other really bad ass movie do you get a woman as a heroine, nature, metaphysics, and the importance of self reliance and teamwork all wrapped into one? Star Wars was my yoga.

Lesson 1: A successful life does not just happen.
Luke Skywalker had it really rough growing up. At birth he is separated from his sister and parents because of the threat of his Dad killing him. Then he has to grow up on a dusty planet that inspires none of his creativity and leaves him a bumbling complaining mess. Finally, Fate steps in when he runs into Obi-Wan. Luke gets his Light Saber and then pretty much crushes the Empire by hitting a target about 2 meters wide, exploding the Death Star, all the while as Darth Vadar is tailing Luke's X-Wing. Talk about exploding into egoism! Thankfully, Yoda comes in and does his best to manage that attitude. He teaches Luke that living your true life's work is a process. Yoda is a pillar of awareness, grounding, amusement, and connection to self, the universe, and all nature's creatures. Annoyingly, Luke presses on with his shenanigans until he finally beats his Dad in a mano a mano duel. It's not until then that you see the shift in Luke. He is mindful, present, and finally not living off of his ego's need for adventure. You gotta press on in life, fighting with what your integrity knows to be true. Do not give up even if you  can only see one step at a time. A person's life work is adapted from the training plan in each day and the outcome through the tally of each individual best effort.

Lesson 2: A strong woman handles her life on her own terms.
Princess Leia was my idol. Nope, not afraid to say it. She taught me that if you speak your mind, control your space and emotions, keep your eye on the greater good, and blast forward with your priorities, you will get good stuff done in your life. Having integrity matched with perseverance will get you far, and some good ole fashioned stubbornness works magic, too.

Lesson 3: Men who know themselves and live by their rules are of ultimate intrigue.
Han Solo was a total dreamboat. He was smart, quick witted, stubborn and, eventually, open minded, and loving. As a partner, Han brings everything he has right to your face. Your only possible retaliation is to bring everything you have back at him in return. He demands your best and will support and love you thoroughly for it. For Han and Leia, this type of partnership brought out the best in both of them. This is dedicated to my partner who is a total Han Solo in my heart.

Lesson 4: Team players rule!
Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, these guys were top notch at running support. Chewie and R2 basically knew one language and had only one best buddy that really knew what they were saying. However, they were first to volunteer for the hardest of tasks. C-3PO in Jedi pretty much single handedly saved the efforts of the Rebellion on Endor because he jumped in and knew the Ewok language. Being a team player is not about flaunting the right words in support of a cause or acting because ego has a chance at being a hero. Chewie, R2, and 3PO each had strong characters and individual personalities, but knew how to put them aside because being a team player is about having courage to act bravely and with integrity for the betterment of the greater good.

Lesson 5: I am an energy worker.
The Force was my study in metaphysics. Growing up, I had all sorts of weird energy things happen to me. Dreams that would come true, premonitions, awareness of past lives, communication with spirits, the whole deal. I hardly talked about it because, you know, "Hey, that girl is crazy." Jedis' had a school where they could study all this stuff and learn to use it to their benefit, creating strength and the ability to enact positive change. They had knowledge of self and were one with the universe and all living things. The Force clued me into a world that helped me understand my own. For this nature girl and secret psychic, was there any way of life that could be better or more intriguing? No way! Energy work is my gig. I think, dream, and practice it everyday. Every perspective I have starts with my interpretation of the energy around a situation. Being a psychic, loving nature, is what I do;it's how I understand life.

I don't care if it is a media and marketing conglomerate, if there are holes in the story line, or if Jar Jar Binks is an irritating character. The point is that we all have influences in our lives that help us understand ourselves better. Although I don't need to watch Star Wars as much as I used to, it will always be the beacon that helped light my way to whom I know myself to be today.