It's hard to believe it, but 2022 is over. And just like last year around this time, most of us are wondering: What's next? That's right, it's time to think about your 2023 resolutions — yes, everything you would like to accomplish — and how to make those ambitious wants a reality.
Because now that one year is ending and another is beginning, it's the perfect time for a fresh start. Think about what you want your life to look like at the end of the year, and remember that for what you're imagining to become reality, you have to start putting your plan into action now. But where should you start? Movies are a great place to find inspiration, believe it or not. They teach us lessons that we can apply to our own life — and help us to decide how we want to shape our futures.
Whether you accomplished all that you set out to do in 2022 or fell a little short of those goals, here are a few poignant scenes from some of our favorite films that will give a major boost of inspiration for the year ahead.
'Sex and the City'
Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Mr. Big (Chris Noth) finally got their acts together and tied the knot in Sex and the City. Seriously, there's nothing like a six-season romance getting the closure it deserves on the big screen. But what's even more inspiring are the lessons learned in the final scenes of the movie. Carrie reminds us to define your own rules for life instead of feeding into labels and others' preconceived notions of what things should be. The ladies of the film (and the iconic show) inspire us to do just that.
'The Pursuit of Happyness'
The Pursuit of Happyness follows the many trials of father Chris Gardner (Will Smith) as he works to create a better life for himself and his son, Christopher (Jayden Smith). At this point in the film, the two are playing basketball and Christopher says that he wants to go pro. While the odds may not be favorable, Chris tells his son to protect his dream and to never let anyone, including himself, say that he can't do something: "You want something, go get it. Period." Preach. If you truly believe in something, then you can never give up — some wise advice you probably need in order to achieve any of your goals for the year ahead.
'Finding Nemo'
Just as Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks) and Nemo (Alexander Gould) are reunited in Finding Nemo, tragedy strikes — a school of fish and Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) are caught in a net by fisherman. Luckily, Nemo quickly thinks of a plan to free them.
That's just like real life. There will always be obstacles (some minor, others major) to face, even when you think you're in the clear. And, as Dory points out throughout the movie, all you can really do is just keep swimming. So do like Dory, and find a way to keep pressing on.
'It's a Wonderful Life'
In the classic holiday film, It's a Wonderful Life, businessman George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) is at his lowest, pondering what he believes he's missed out on and about to face financial ruin. He's ready to give up, but a guardian angel shows him what life would be like if he never existed. Not liking the alternative, George ultimately realizes the impact that he's had on the his family and friends and his town — and wants his life back.
In this ending scene, the community comes together to help George face his money woes. George even gets a message from his angel, Clarence (Henry Travers), that reads, "Remember no man is a failure who has friends." The touching movie reminds us that everyone makes an impact and it matters. Learn to have a little faith in people and yourself as we welcome 2023. Chances are you're doing something right.
'Coach Carter'
In this powerful scene in Coach Carter, the head coach and the school board face off on the issue of Coach Carter's (Samuel L. Jackson) putting a lock on the gym doors until the players get their grades up. The board votes to let them play, but the team chooses to stand with him.
One rebellious player, Timo Cruz (Rick Gonzalez), takes the time to thank the coach and to recite a thoughtful quote about fear — reminding us that most of the time, the things that we most fear are ourselves. Don't shy away from your potential because you're afraid, and thank those who gave who hope.
'The Devil Wears Prada'
We all have dreams, or rather, dream jobs, but sometimes those dreams come at a price. And no matter how big or small the compromise, you have to decide what you can and cannot live with — as was the case with aspiring journalist Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) in The Devil Wears Prada.
When she chose to walk away from fashion mogul and apparent tyrant Miranda Priestly (and chuck that blasted cellphone into a fountain), it was the ultimate "You go, girl" moment. She chose to define success on her own terms, which is probably a goal for many of us.
'Remember the Titans'
Remember the Titans is about a group of young athletes who have to overcome their differences in order to play the game that they love: football. Of course, actually putting their issues aside isn't so easy, but this moment is the turning point for these young men.
Coach Boone (Denzel Washington) wakes them up so that they can jog to Gettysburg. There, he urges his team to look beyond color, learn to respect each other, and come together as men. Like the Titans, we must all find a way to overcome adversity.
'When Harry Met Sally'
This pivotal moment in When Harry Met Sally where Harry (Billy Crystal) steps up and admits that he wants to be with Sally (Meg Ryan) is classic. Harry's words about their relationship speak to us on so many levels.
Even though he could get shut down, Harry puts himself out there and recites that perfect line: "When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." He shows that sometimes it's worth taking a risk.
'Last Holiday'
In Last Holiday, Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah) discovers that she only has a few weeks to live after a freak work accident. With her limited days, she decides to ditch her cautious nature and finally do something for herself — travel to Europe's Grandhotel Pupp, check into the presidential suite, meet her chef idol, and speak her mind.
As the new year rings in, Georgia reflects on the incredible things she's done before meeting others for dinner, where she has a few key words for some elite guests that leave them — and us — pondering. Georgia reminds us that it is so easy to miss out on life because you're simply afraid to act or you're waiting for what you think is the right time. Quietly going through the motions doesn't get you anywhere. Do the things that scare you before it's too late.
'Independence Day'
No one gets through the Fourth of July weekend without seeing reruns of Independence Day playing on TV. While this action movie may be about the human race's battle against an alien threat, that doesn't mean that this speech is any less inspiring in real life.
Now, you're probably not going to be dealing with any extraterrestrial problems in the near future, but there are many human causes that need advocates. From women's rights to basic civil liberties, stand up for the issues you believe in. It's the only way to make the world a better place.
'New Year's Eve'
At the height of New Year's Eve, it's still unclear as to whether or not the ball will drop at midnight in New York City. Claire Morgan (Hilary Swank) takes to the airwaves to speak and, in turn, touches on the true meaning of the day. She urges the audience to stop and reflect. She explains that with each new year, we all have the opportunity to start again and be better and do better than we did in years past. And that's what it's all about.
'Rocky Balboa'
Sylvester Stallone embodies the character of Rocky, and in the 2006 installment of the series Rocky Balboa, Rocky has a serious father-son moment that anyone can learn from. Rocky Jr. (Milo Ventimiglia) is complaining to his father about how hard his life is because of his name and the boxing legacy.
But Rocky has some choice words for him — the gist being that life is your toughest opponent. It can and will knock you down, but how you choose to roll with the punches (pun intended) and move forward is what truly defines you. Don't make up excuses for why you can't do something. Go do it.
'Legally Blonde'
Never judge a book by its cover — especially when dealing with a woman on a mission like Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon). While Legally Blonde may be known as the epic chick flick that brought us the iconic "bend and snap," this graduation scene shows the growth of a woman who got accepted into Harvard hell-bent on getting back with her ex — but who actually finds herself in the process.
Elle reminds us that if you have passion and faith in yourself, you can achieve your goals, whether they be getting into law school or conquering something else. So find what motivates you and succeed.
'Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit'
In Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Deloris aka Sister Mary Clarence (Whoopi Goldberg) has a conversation with Rita Watson (Lauryn Hill). The hardheaded teen wants to quit the choir, but the sister can tell she wants to (and obviously really can) sing.
She mentions the book Letters to a Young Poet and references a part of the novel in which the author questions the protagonist about his passion for writing. Mary Clarence asks Rita a similar question: "If you wake up in the morning, and you can't think of anything but singing, then you should be a singer, girl."
Think about what you love because finding the thing you're most passionate about can actually be that simple.
'Dead Poets Society'
The late Robin Williams inspires as the madcap poetry teacher John Keating in Dead Poets Society. In this class, he asks his students to look deeper and see the world in a different way, further emphasizing this by asking these young men to see the classroom by standing on his desk.
Not only do they get a new point of view, but John tells his students that they have to find their voices because the longer they wait, the harder it will be. That should light a fire under all of us.
'Rudy'
Rudy dreams of playing football for Notre Dame despite the fact that he's shorter and skinnier than the average player. After two years of hard work, he wasn't chosen to suit up for the big game.
In this classic scene, Rudy tells Fortune (Charles S. Dutton) that he's quitting the team, and Fortune shares his own previous struggles playing on the field and his regrets. Fulfilling a dream doesn't happen overnight. You have to keep trying despite your struggles.
'Mona Lisa Smile'
In Mona Lisa Smile, Julia Roberts plays Katherine Ann Watson, an art professor who sets out to teach a group of young women to look past the gender norms that society has set for them.
Here, she lectures the ladies using contemporary art in response to a school newspaper article. Fed up that she's being blasted for encouraging the idea that women should be more than wives and mothers, she gives a powerful speech using ads of the time to ask them what they will be remembered for. Like these ladies, we all need a reminder to leave our mark on history.
'Turning Red'
Turning Red, one of the most popular animated movies in recent years (that we may or may not be watching when our kids aren't around) shared a lesson that we can all benefit from. Despite the fact that Mei's entire family is worried about her being able to control whether she turns into a panda or not, she's much happier when she's not trying to stifle herself and can even use it as a gift to help others (and her family business).
Embrace your own cringe and be yourself — whether that means you turn into a red panda or not.
'Little Women'
We already loved the 1990s film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel Little Women, but the 2019 version made us think about one part of the story in a way we hadn't before. As much as we might have wanted Laurie and Jo to get together, the author taught us not to settle and trust our gut — if it doesn't feel right, something better might be right around the corner.
'Don't Worry Darling'
In the controversial movie Don't Worry Darling, starring Florence Pugh and Harry Styles, we witness a housewife in a seemingly idyllic society discovering that everything around her is not what it seems. Case in point: when Alice sees the plane crash and her entire reality begins to unravel. This movie scene reminds us to question everything — if something feels off, it probably is — and to resolve to fight against the societal norms that hold us down.
