I recently started watching ‘The Mandalorian‘ (you’ll need a subscription to stream it) as part of my goal to catch up on all the movies and TV shows that I’ve missed over the years. I saw so many people talking about this show and I figured it was worth checking out. As I’ve been watching ‘The Mandalorian’, it’s reminded me of a life lesson that I’ve learned the hard way—minor spoilers ahead for those who haven’t watched it yet.
Mando
A Mandalorian bounty hunter named Mando follows a strict code of neutrality when he takes on assignments—it’s not his place to question why someone has been marked for death or brought in on a bounty. He simply fulfills the contract and moves on. Mando also has a particular set of rules that he follows, such as never taking off his helmet in front of others. However, everything changes when he meets The Child, and he starts to question the rules he’s lived by for so long. It’s an interesting exploration of how our perspectives can shift when we encounter new experiences and challenges.
The Child, who bears a striking resemblance to baby Yoda, is actually 50 years old and belongs to a species that has no official name in the Star Wars canon. Mando was hired to retrieve The Child and deliver him to the man who put out the bounty. Despite facing many challenges, Mando was able to complete the mission and was paid handsomely for his efforts. However, something didn’t feel right to him—there were too many inconsistencies and people tracking down The Child for his liking.
Mando had always followed his Mandalorian code religiously, but he also had a conscience. He remembered what it felt like to be abandoned as a child and couldn’t shake the feeling that he needed to do something. In the end, he decided to go back and rescue The Child, turning his back on the rules he had always followed and striking out on a new path. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes, following your heart and doing what you believe is right is more important than sticking to a set of rules.
Hitting the Reset Button
When Mando made the decision to go back and rescue The Child, I had a ‘YES!!!’ moment. I had been hoping he would do that, and it was a powerful reminder of the moments in our own lives when we realize it’s time to walk down a different path.
Making the choice to deviate from the path that others have laid out for is a very personal and difficult decision. Many people choose to stick with the things they’ve always done, following traditions and adhering to cultural and social norms. They may have a career, use certain products, practice a certain religion, or even wear their hair a certain way because that’s what was expected of them by their parents, society, or the country they live in. Some people resist change and have a ‘if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it’ mentality.
However, sometimes people realize later in life that they’re unhappy and begin to re-examine the paths they’ve selected. They may realize that they followed certain paths for the wrong reasons, such as becoming a lawyer because their parents refused to pay for college if they picked a different major. At some point, it’s important to decide what works best for you, what makes you happy, and create a new set of rules to live by.
Embracing change can be scary, but it’s also an opportunity for growth and personal evolution. It may be scary to step off the path that others have laid out for you, but it’s a necessary step towards finding your own happiness and fulfillment. Trust yourself and your own judgment. Remember that it’s never too late to make changes and create a new set of rules to live by. You deserve to be happy. Making the tough decisions that lead to your own happiness is always worth it.
