The only service a friend can really render is to keep your courage by holding up to you a mirror in which you can see a noble image of yourself - George Bernard Shaw
So, I've become a bit of a Doctor Who junkie. I remember the show from back in the 80s and couldn't really get into it back in the day. I don't know if it's just better now, or if I'm more mature (both?) but I really quite enjoy it.
The Doctor, in his travels, finds companions. Some are more romantic, others strictly platonic. But they're always there, helping him in his loneliness and getting him unstuck if there's a jam. Plus, it's fun to see the witty banter that goes back and forth between two intimates.
Donna Noble is probably my favorite companion. She's saucy. She's spunky. She's loud and brash and gorgeous. But she's also incredibly (!) sensitive and sweet. My favorite exchange is this:
Donna – I kept hearing that noise... that heartbeat.
The new Doctor – Oh, that was me. My single heart. 'Cos I'm a complicated event in time and space, must've rippled back. Converging on you.
Donna – But why me?
The new Doctor – Because you're special.
Donna – Oh, I keep telling you: I'm not.
The new Doctor – No, but you are, you... Oh... you really don't believe that, do you? I can see, Donna... what you're thinking. All that attitude, all that lip, 'cos all this time... you think you're not worth it.
Donna – Stop it.
The new Doctor – Shouting at the world 'cos no-one's listening. Well... why should they?
Donna – Doctor? Stop it.
The new Doctor – But look at what you did... no. It's more than that, it's like... We were always heading for this.
Donna, of course, then goes on to save the day, sacrificing herself for the greater good, showing a nobility and strength of character that we'd not otherwise seen in her, but always suspected. She is returned to a state where she cannot know anything about how incredibly special - indeed, crucial - she is to the universe. And that's a very hard thing to watch (although it's beautifully portrayed by Catherine Tate).
I think we often fall into this kind of thing. We don't often see in ourselves the greatness. Each of us has - to one degree or another - a spark of divinity, of power, of strength, of greatness. This spark is precious, lovely, and incredible. It is beautiful as it is unique. Some are able to share that spark with others. Some shelter that spark and hide it deep within layers of defenses - like Donna did. I believe that a true friend finds a way to get within those defenses, holding up a mirror so that we can see that greatness in ourselves. These friends help fan that spark into a merry fire, or even at times a blazing inferno, providing light and warmth for all the universe.
Because - and this is absolutely essential for you to remember - there is no amount of darkness in the universe that can extinguish that light. No amount of evil can overcome the vital goodness that exists within us all. No amount of suffering can change the YOU that I love so well.
I hope I can be that friend. I hope that I can show you what I see. I hope that my soul can reach out to your own, my spark lying near and augmenting, enhancing your own. I hope that you'll allow me that privilege. Because that is all I want.
So, I've become a bit of a Doctor Who junkie. I remember the show from back in the 80s and couldn't really get into it back in the day. I don't know if it's just better now, or if I'm more mature (both?) but I really quite enjoy it.
The Doctor, in his travels, finds companions. Some are more romantic, others strictly platonic. But they're always there, helping him in his loneliness and getting him unstuck if there's a jam. Plus, it's fun to see the witty banter that goes back and forth between two intimates.
Donna Noble is probably my favorite companion. She's saucy. She's spunky. She's loud and brash and gorgeous. But she's also incredibly (!) sensitive and sweet. My favorite exchange is this:
Donna – I kept hearing that noise... that heartbeat.
The new Doctor – Oh, that was me. My single heart. 'Cos I'm a complicated event in time and space, must've rippled back. Converging on you.
Donna – But why me?
The new Doctor – Because you're special.
Donna – Oh, I keep telling you: I'm not.
The new Doctor – No, but you are, you... Oh... you really don't believe that, do you? I can see, Donna... what you're thinking. All that attitude, all that lip, 'cos all this time... you think you're not worth it.
Donna – Stop it.
The new Doctor – Shouting at the world 'cos no-one's listening. Well... why should they?
Donna – Doctor? Stop it.
The new Doctor – But look at what you did... no. It's more than that, it's like... We were always heading for this.
Donna, of course, then goes on to save the day, sacrificing herself for the greater good, showing a nobility and strength of character that we'd not otherwise seen in her, but always suspected. She is returned to a state where she cannot know anything about how incredibly special - indeed, crucial - she is to the universe. And that's a very hard thing to watch (although it's beautifully portrayed by Catherine Tate).
I think we often fall into this kind of thing. We don't often see in ourselves the greatness. Each of us has - to one degree or another - a spark of divinity, of power, of strength, of greatness. This spark is precious, lovely, and incredible. It is beautiful as it is unique. Some are able to share that spark with others. Some shelter that spark and hide it deep within layers of defenses - like Donna did. I believe that a true friend finds a way to get within those defenses, holding up a mirror so that we can see that greatness in ourselves. These friends help fan that spark into a merry fire, or even at times a blazing inferno, providing light and warmth for all the universe.
Because - and this is absolutely essential for you to remember - there is no amount of darkness in the universe that can extinguish that light. No amount of evil can overcome the vital goodness that exists within us all. No amount of suffering can change the YOU that I love so well.
I hope I can be that friend. I hope that I can show you what I see. I hope that my soul can reach out to your own, my spark lying near and augmenting, enhancing your own. I hope that you'll allow me that privilege. Because that is all I want.
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