As Uncle Albert from Mary Poppins gleefully sings in the timeless classic— I love to laugh. Who doesn’t love a good laugh? And better yet, who doesn’t love a good comedic movie that makes you cackle so hard the tears can’t help but squeeze through your eyes? I love myself a good comedy and a good laugh.
So I headed to theaters last week to see Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 as it promised to produce some hearty laughter. I was not disappointed. I also couldn’t pass up the chance to see my two favorite Catholic actors Eduardo Verastegui and David Henrie on the big screen. They didn’t disappoint either 🙂
The sequel proved to be just as entertaining as the original movie, with Segway Scooter chases, hypoglycemic interruptions, and humorous platonic romances in full swing. I expected to come out of the theater with stomach pains from the laughter (which was the case) but I never expected to leave with my head spinning as I pondered the comedy. Paul Blart got deep.
During an epic speech where Blart outlines what’s it’s like to lead the life of a mall cop, he also enlightens the emotional audience of officers on the meaning of life:
“If you believe the purpose of life is to only help yourself, you have no purpose. Help someone today.” – Paul Blart
Sure, it’s hard to take a man with a bushy mustache and an addiction to M&Ms seriously, but these words resonated in my mind and etched themselves into my thoughts. Paul Blart may be regarded by many as a joke, but his unprecedented wisdom allowed him to recognize one of the greatest truths in this life: a life lived for yourself is a life not lived at all.
We established in my last post that living a life of selfishness leaves you miserable. So it would stand to reason that the opposite is true as well: a life of selflessness brings great joy. This reality is evidenced by the way Blart lives out his own life.
By the world’s standards Blart should be miserable; he’s single, over-weight, unattractive, unappreciated, probably under-paid, in a career that’s often ridiculed, lives with his mom, loses his mom (to a milk truck at that), and relies on his daughter for affection (who goes away to college and leaves him alone). And yet, despite what the world says he should be (depressed, discontent and in despair), he’s a jolly guy. Sure, he has the occasional “down in the dumps” day, but who doesn’t get into a gloomy mood once in a while?
Overall, Blart is a pretty upbeat person. So what’s the origin of Blart’s cheer? Maybe it has a little to do with his semi-delusional self-confidence, but I think it comes down to his prophetic words. Blart has a clear purpose in life. He lives in service to others.
No matter how degrading his job gets, he still manages to line his mustache with a smile. No matter what people say or do to bring him down, he gets back up and keeps fighting the good fight. Blart finds fulfillment in helping others. He isn’t living for himself.
It’s this life lived for others that fills his heart with joy. The more we step out of ourselves, the more we step into joy. The kind of joy that not even chocolate can bring. Mother Teresa tells us “you are as miserable as you are selfish,” so it would stand to reason that you are as joyful as you are selfless too.
What more could we want than to live a life of joy, a life filled with purpose and meaning? Nothing. So, channel your inner mall cop, go help someone, and serve yourself a piece of delicious happy pie by doing so!
Catholic Realist 