Stephen Hawking
Over the
weekend my husband and I saw The Theory of Everything, a movie about
Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne) and his wife Jane (Felicity Jones).
If you're not
familiar with Stephen Hawking, he is a theoretical physicist, cosmologist,
author and Director of Research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology
within the University of Cambridge.
Yeah, I'm glad
the movie wasn't about that aspect of his life! I'm lost already. But he is an
intelligent man.
The movie
focused on how he met his wife Jane and how they dealt with his debilitating
disease: Motor Neuron Disease, something similar to Lou Gehrig's.
In the movie
when he was told he had this disease and what would eventually happen to him -
the loss of muscle movement, the inability to swallow and the inability to
speak - he asked about brain function. The doctor told him his thoughts would
be the same as they are now, "Only one day…nobody will know what they
are."
I can't
imagine how scary and hopeless that must've been for a 21-year-old man.
He was also
told he only had 2 years to live. Now he's almost 73!
As I watched
this incredible movie (whether you agree with his views on God or not, it's an
excellent movie) I noticed some things about his life that I can apply to mine.
(Aside from the genius science study!)
4 Lessons Learned From Stephen Hawking:
Go beyond your limitations
When Hawking
eventually lost his ability to walk and talk he didn't let that stop him. With
the help of his Equalizer, a computer
that helps him "speak", he continued to work, write books, and even
booked speaking engagements. I'm sure the process was slower, and travelling
took more time due to a wheelchair and the need of nurses, but he didn't stop
doing what he loved.
Know your limitations
Hawking also
knew when his limitations had reached their end. At a breaking point for his
wife, Jane, she insisted they get help for him just to function in everyday
life. He needed help eating, dressing and more. They hired nurses to come in
around the clock to help him.
Take time for you
Jane's time
was so consumed by taking care of her husband that she wasn't able to do what
she loved. With the nurses hired, she was able to continue her own work (she
has a PhD in Romance Languages) and to take time to sing in the church choir.
Any mom knows that hour or two away from home once a week is very welcome. I
imagine even more so for Jane.
Keep your sense of humor
I don't know
if it's true of the real Stephen Hawking, but the way Eddie Redmayne portrayed
him in the movie made him seem like he loved to be a little mischievous. While
young, he was always smiling, and when older and unable to move, he had a
twinkle in his eye. Life's circumstances can be overwhelming if you let them,
but if Mr. Hawking can keep his sense of humor while living a life of
immobility, you can keep yours in your current struggle.
This quote is
attributed to Hawking in the movie. Whether or not he actually said it, I don't
know, but either way, it's good words:
- There should be no boundaries to human endeavor. We are all different. However bad life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. While there's life, there is hope.
This may be a
simplistic view of the movie, but these are great reminders for life.
If you get the
chance, go see The Theory of Everything.
I wouldn't be surprised if Eddie Redmayne wins an award for his portrayal of
Hawking - he was amazing.
Read my
previous post: Lift Up Your Face and Live Life
