THE SADDEST THING IN LIFE PART FIVE

All you need to learn in life you can learn from watching "A Bronx Tale."

Okay, maybe that is a bit of a stretch.

I know this is a music blog, but on a couple of occasions (HERE and HERE), I have participated in blogfests listing my favorite movies.

One movie that always makes the cut is 1993’s A Bronx Tale, starring Robert DeNiro in his directorial debut and featuring/written by Chazz Palminteri.

This excellent film opens with the sounds of romance in the Bronx (“Marie! Get in the f*&king car!”). There are a few violent scenes, but mostly the story is about a boy who is drawn to the local gangster against the wishes of his bus-driver father.

I also love the film because of all the important life lessons contained within. You may think I say this in jest, but all you need to know in life, you can learn from watching this film.

And I am going to prove it.

Today continues a series of posts describing the valuable  lessons contained in the film.

“The saddest thing in life is wasted talent, and the choices that you make will shape your life forever.”

Lesson 5: Being There         

 

Sonny talks a lot about availability.

He chooses to live in his neighborhood because he can stop trouble immediately.

The people that love him in the neighborhood see him every day, and they feel safe.

His enemies think twice about crossing him, because they know he's close.

Staying close to the action lets Sonny spot problems before they become cancers.

This is a universal lesson to stay close to the things that are important in your life.

If you are a people manager, stay close to your team.

 

Stay close to your friends; stay close to your home.

If you are a parent, make yourself available to your kids.