Page 55 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2017- Online Magazine

transformation:

Beauty Beast
and

the

My wife and I took our oldest grandchild to But it doesn’t have to be that way. Though
see the new Beauty and the Beast movie a few difficult, we can change. Starting by Inspiration
days ago. I recommend you see it if you haven’t. identifying the beast within us, we can
The story is a traditional fairy tale written by remove it and become a new person. We can
French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de see the world through new eyes. That didn’t
Villaneuve. It was first published in 1740. At least happen with Gaston, but it did happen with
13 movies or television specials have been made the Beast/Prince. And when it happened, he
of the story, beginning in 1946. Disney’s “cartoon became the beautiful person on the outside
classic” wasn’t made until 1991. So, indeed, the that he had become on the inside.
story is one that seems as “old as time” (to quote
from the theme song). The Bible calls that “transformation”.
Romans 12:2 encourages us not to conform to
There are actually two beasts in this story—the the pattern of the world, “but be transformed
one who looks like a beast and the one who acts by the renewing of your mind.” 2 Corinthians
like one. And in some ways they are one and 3:18 tells us that we are being “transformed
the same. The Beast was once a prince who was into his image with ever-increasing glory.”
turned into a beastly being because of the cruelty It can happen. The “demons” (beasts) inside
that he exhibited and his lack of consideration can be defeated. The issues of life (health,
and compassion for the needy of his kingdom. relationships, financial troubles, etc.) can be
Gaston, the village bully, is wrapped up in faced with new vision and “beauty”!
himself in a “beastly” fashion. He is selfish,
rude, and uncaring and thinks that the universe And it is this change—our transformation—
revolves around him. I don’t want to give away that is the key lesson from Beauty and the
the story, but towards the end, these two beasts Beast... “Tale as old as time ... true as it can
clash. One changes and forfeits his life—only to be ... barely even friends ... then somebody
live again. The other grows in his beastliness, bends unexpectantly!”
losing friendship, respect, and ultimately his
life—permanently.

I hate to admit it, but I think all of us have a
beast inside of us somewhere. It may not be
the hideous beast portrayed in the movie, but
it is there all the same, often emerging at the
most inopportune times. A key theory among
gerontologists (those who study aging) is called
the “more so” philosophy. This is the idea that
the way we are in our younger years is the way
we will be in our older years—only “more so”.
Now, if we put the “more so” philosophy along
with the idea that we each have a beast inside,
we will recognize that the beast inside will be
with us as we grow older—only more so. That’s
a sad tale to be told!