Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck in one of those “we like each other - we should do a film together” movies or is it? Ms. Paltrow plays Abby Janello, the widow of a man who dies in a plane crash. Her husband, Greg was sitting in the seat given to him by Buddy Amaral (Affleck’s character) after the two met in the airport bar during a snow storm. Buddy awakens the next morning to the news that the plane he was supposed to be on has crashed, he’s survivor’s guilt turns to alcoholism and his life is derailed by the implication that his good fortune is another family’s tragedy. So Amaral seeks out The Janello family and begins dating Abby with the intention of somehow making it right.
As Abby suffers the sadness and guilt of losing her husband she is consoled by many people. Abby recalls to Buddy, one such conversation with her mom. She said “Honey only the plane crashed, you gotta bounce.” Abby stops, she looks at Buddy and she says “Bouncing. It’s like crashing except you get to do it over and over again”
Just like Abby said, bouncing is doing the same thing over and over again and getting the same results, no step forward, no big fall. Just up and down, in place. Sometimes we have to fall before we succeed. It’s hard, but the big fall teaches you a new way. Falling is difficult, but necessary. Bouncing, however, is worse. It’s pointless, and frankly a good way to slowly torture yourself.
I’ve done a bit of bouncing over the years. These days I’d rather take a take a big risk and if necessary, a big fall. Bouncing has gotten me nowhere.