It's a wonderful life

I love this movie for so many reasons. One being that Mary becoming an old maid and a librarian is the worst possible future according to the overly dramatic George and Clarence. Of course I do not agree with this at all, but nonetheless, I always have a little giggle every time I see this part of the movie:

All silliness aside, there is a reason why I rewatch this movie once or twice every Christmas season: I like to go into a new year with the reminder that my life is of value. That no matter what is going on inside my head or around me, there is some wonderful significance to living. Even when I can't see that.

I know what George feels like when he says "I wish I had never been born." How many times have I said that to myself, truly believing that everyone would be better off without me?

Then Clarence shows him what the world would be like if he had never been born, and it's a pretty dark place. His brother dies as a child. Potter takes over the whole town. All his friends are poor and have to live Potter's slums. (His wife becomes a librarian.)

Even when it's a bit overdramatic, this story has such a positive message: every person has value and the world would be a different place if they had not been born. And that's what I want remind myself of every Christmas and New Years.