How Brave Is Your Soul? | My True Spirit Movie Review

Happy Sunday Hivers!

My family moved to Leyte when I was 1 year old because my mother had an accident and was severely injured. No one could take care of her in Cebu since everyone was busy, which led my parents to decide to transfer to Leyte where her immediate family resided.

Since our house in Leyte is situated very close to the coastline, I have many vivid memories of the beach, playing and swimming with my friends during my childhood days. I always expressed to my mother how happy I am when I'm at the beach and in the sea. That's why I tag myself as a Thalassophile.

But honestly, no matter how much I love the sea, there are still times when I am afraid to catch a glimpse of it when the weather is not good. I know that the extremely turbulent waters can easily claim someone's life. Would you still dare to swim despite the extremely turbulent water? Maybe for those whose spirit is too adventurous, but what about traveling alone in the midst of the ocean, filled with uncertainties? Would you dare?

A true-to-life story called 'True Spirit' movie caught my attention as I was browsing Netflix. It is about a young woman whose love for the ocean is exceptional. Since I could relate to her fondness for the ocean, I didn't feel skeptical about watching the movie. Her bravery captivated me after I finished watching it. How brave is your soul? Are you similar to her?

I smiled while watching the scene when Jessica Watson shared her dream to her family of becoming the youngest person to sail around the world, non-stop and unassisted. She was just an innocent kid back then. I could see her family's eyes filled with disbelief as they glanced at Jessica's dream written in her notebook. It detailed the entire travel expenses and how to save up money. She even mentioned that she had already contacted someone to be her coach. Hmmm, it sounded very intriguing coming from a kid who was so committed to her goal. Did she achieve her goal?

Achieving dreams and goals is challenging; only those who are committed and determined will triumph. This is what Jessica realized during her journey to achieve her dream. She experienced harsh criticism, scarcity of funds, emotional and psychological exhaustion, and various other hardships along the way. Did she give up? No, she didn't, because despite those negative forces, she possessed a powerful weapon—a supportive family and a well-experienced coach.

I truly admired the support her family gave her, especially the unwavering support from her mother. Despite her mother's concerns about her safety alone in the middle of the ocean, she still chose to support her daughter's dream. I was deeply moved when her mother encouraged her to watch the sunsets, celebrate milestones, and never forget to dance in the rain. I cried a lot because there are only a few mothers who wholeheartedly support their children's dreams.

While Jessica Watson was well-equipped to handle boat technicalities and Mother Nature, she failed to equip herself with knowledge on how to deal with loneliness. After Jessica Watson encountered a typhoon while sailing alone, depression took hold of her during the calm weather when not even a ripple could be seen on the ocean. Sailors dislike typhoons as they pose a threat to their safety. However, they cherish waves because without them, their journey lacks excitement and challenge. Waves provide the necessary energy that propels their voyage, making it thrilling and fulfilling.

After a few months of sailing, she was excited to see her family again. She called them to give them updates; however, all of a sudden, the excitement was replaced with worry as a strong typhoon was approaching in her direction. Mother Nature continued to test her strength, bravery, and determination. I felt so sad when her boat, named Pink, sank 15 feet below the ocean during the typhoon. I cried while watching because she was closer to achieve her dream, and everything was put to waste due to the strong typhoon. Did she die? Luckily, after a few minutes, she was saved by Pink. Her boat resurfaced, which I never thought was possible. But since the movie is based on a true-to-life story, miracles do indeed happen every day.

After 210 days at sea, Jessica Watson finally returned to Australia. She became an inspiration to everyone across the globe. Did she achieve her dream? Obviously, yes, she was able to accomplish her dream despite a series of challenges. I highly recommend this movie because it is full of inspiration.

Thank you for reading and see you on my next blog. Cheers!

Watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.