Last week I went to see a movie and the theater made a mistake and listed the wrong time. When I got there I decided to see The King’s Speech instead. The lady at the ticket counter told me that I was lucky and whether I realized it or not, I had upgraded. She was so right. The movie is about King George The VI when he was still heir to the throne, actually the second in line behind his older brother, and his overcoming a speech impediment, in order to lead the English nation into battle during a time of crisis as the new King. The movie focused on growth, challenge, overcoming fears, and an incredible relationship between a speech therapist and a struggling soon to be king. Below I have listed just a few insights that I noticed in this wonderful movie.

Our hero the soon to be king, unlike his older brother is the right man for the job. He is a family man, a military man, and has the country and it’s people’s best interest at heart. The only problem is as the new king he will have to give radio speeches and he stutters so badly he can barely express himself when talking to an audience. In life even when we are the right person for the job or situation, there is often still large obstacles that have to be overcome. The situation and our overcoming is designed to help us grow and move to the place where we ultimately belong.

Because of his speech challenges he feels that he could never be king and not even sure if wants the job, but the job seems to be coming his way anyway. Quite often our destiny comes knocking on our door even if we are not yet convinced that we are equipped and ready to move into it.

Just when all seems lost with attempts to prepare the Duke (our hero) to be able to give speeches and communicate better, his wife stumbles across a unconvencional speech therapist who may just be able to do what the others have not been able to do. Help our hero. There is always help on the horizon if we are open to it, and it often comes at the eleventh hour. This therapist was very unconventional and in the eyes of many and not qualified for the job, at least some would say. Sometimes those who are most qualified are not recognized by the so called establishment at first but are yet still the most qualified.

The therapist is very challenging to the Duke, our soon to be king, personally and professionally and at times it makes for a strained relationship, but all was done out of care and a strong desire for the king to succeed. The two become very good friends. In life we must be true to ourselves and those who we serve, even if its’ challenging to them at times, and hope those who we are serving will succeed and understand in the long run.

The therapist called the Duke soon to become King William the bravest man he knew. Even though he had many fears our hero fought and fought to overcome and rise into a position that he was being thrown into. True bravery is not always the absence of fears, but sometimes the willingness to overcome them.

The Dukes wife was extremely supportive. Behind every great man is a great woman, whether it be a great wife, great mother, grandmother or sister. It can even be a man be it father, uncle or brother. The same is true of great women. they have great husbands, etc. We all need support.

This was a great movie about overcoming fears and great challenges. The great movies and stories are rarely about smooth sailing. They usually involve overcoming great obstacles and the lead character rising to the challenge. The same is true of great life stories and people. So let’s welcome our challenges and forge ahead.