Clarence or George - on life and earning wings

One of the most beloved movies of all times contains a story of great hope and a message of individual greatness.

The two main players - Clarence Odbody (Henry Travers) and George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) make that possible through their mutual need for each other. Clarence, the guardian angel, needs to earn his wings (though he somehow got to George without them) and George, a beaten down man that needs to be reminded of what he has to offer the world as he prepares to plunge to his death in a raging river.

Clarence (Angel Second Class) walks George through a scenario of "life without George" in the small town of Bedford Falls, which would have become Pottersville without George's influence. As Clarence stated:

"One man's life touches so many others, when he's not there it leaves an awfully big hole."

It's Clarence's job to ensure that George realizes his individual greatness and that he must continue through the struggle until that time when he would again experience success, happiness and higher self-worth.

George has a job too - to accept Clarence as his personal helper and to have faith in what Clarence is telling him. George has to allow Clarence to give him the perspective he cannot have for himself.


Which are we in our lives right now - A Clarence, a George? A little of both?


I'm feeling a little like Clarence right now - an angel second class trying to "earn my wings." Sometimes I fail at it and put the wrong things first. Sometimes I don't give my all in helping lift others hearts. Sometimes my mind can't handle doing so.

There are A LOT of George's out there right now for various reasons. Personal issues, money issues, heart break. Real despair. Deep sorrow. Plummeting self-esteem.

Are we an anxious Clarence eager to help? Do we tough out the tough times with the George's around us?

Or, do we knit our eyebrows together and say "Oh, I'm so sorry that you are going through that" and return home to our own comfortable lives of pleasant meals, shopping excursions, book clubs, and laps at the pool? After all, we need to take care of ourselves, right?

It is a difficult balance - this thing of enjoying ourselves, staying balanced, and being a Clarence.

Many of us are mixtures of both Clarence and George. In fact, all of us should be in some way. We all have our weaknesses or despair, but sometimes those hardships lessen in our lives. At those points we are strong enough to be Clarence, who even admits to being a little weak himself.

Just thinking out loud right now and don't suspect there is a point here except to always be  aware and ...to be friends to all in need.

As Clarence said to George - "No man is a failure who has friends."

Thank you for being mine.