What’s your “-ness”?

I watched a movie called You, Me and Dupree. It wasn’t all that great, and for a comedy wasn’t particularly funny. But I did like it, and that’s mostly because of Owen Wilson. He plays the character Dupree, and there is something about that character’s life philosphy I love.

Dupree is a very laid back person, he never seems to worry about anything and takes things as they come. He truly enjoys life and embrases whatever comes in his path.  He gets into some trouble because he went away to go to his best friend’s wedding and because of that he loses his job and his apartment…

Anyhow, stuff happens… fast forward;

The movie ends “and they all lived happily ever after” as a typical Hollywood feel good comedy would. At the end, when all is fine and dandy, Dupree stands on a stage and we see him talking about his new book “Seven Different Kinds Of Smoke” (inspired by recent events in his life, see the movie and you’ll know why), and speaks about your “-ness”. And now a quote;

“Life may knock you down… scratch that. Life will knock you down, okay? It will kick you in the gutt and knock you to the curb but you can’t let it rob you of your “-ness”. Now, what’s “-ness”? It’s your name plus “-ness”.

-You, sir, white haired gentleman, what’s your name?

-My name’s Joe.

-No! It’s Joeness!

You follow me? Listen to me, hang on to that, and as long as you do you’ll always be ready. Because when that moment comes, and trust me, it will come, that’s when you start throwing seven different kinds of smoke”.

I love the philosophy behind the “-ness”, it could mean absolutely anything, yet it’s also very simple and means it’s what makes you you. Have you found your “-ness”?

~ by Dankku on March 22, 2007.