We recently watched the movie “My Old Ass”, as my wife wanted to see it after reading good reviews on X. Released in theaters in 2024, the story unfolds in the stunning setting of Muskoka Lakes, Ontario. It follows Elliott, an 18-year-old girl who encounters her 39-year-old self during a mushroom trip.
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the acting for a coming-of-age movie, which often risks slipping into overly cringeworthy moments. Fortunately, there were few of those here—though the Justin Bieber scene might provoke mixed reactions depending on your opinion of him.
The landscape is breathtaking, and one scene, in particular, stood out: Elliott bonding with her mom while gazing at the scenery. It felt genuine and relatable. This moment serves as a poignant reminder of how often we neglect to appreciate life’s small, beautiful moments. While it’s natural for younger individuals to focus on exploring and challenging themselves—driven by their developing brains craving novelty—this doesn’t mean they should overlook gratitude.
The Benefits of Gratitude
Studies have shown that a daily gratitude meditation practice has immense benefits for our lives, including improved health, mood, relationships, and self-awareness. Taking time to acknowledge what we’ve been blessed with—a serene lake, a supportive family, or close friends—should be a habit, not a reaction to tragedy or hardship. Smiling and expressing gratitude to others costs nothing but has the power to bring much-needed warmth to our society.
Lessons Across Time
The movie’s plot centers on the evolving relationship between Elliott’s younger and older selves. While we might expect the older version to embody wisdom, the film challenges this assumption. Instead, it’s the younger Elliott who teaches the older one an important lesson: living in the moment is a gift.
This ability stems from the natural plasticity of the brain, particularly in youth, and explains why children so easily immerse themselves in fantasy worlds. Unfortunately, our current society often suppresses this creativity, insisting that adulthood is incompatible with fantasy. But does it have to be this way?
Reimagining Society
If we reflect on it, there’s no reason why even adults can’t engage with fantasy and imagination. We’ve built a society structured as it is now, so why not reshape it to foster joy and creativity for everyone? Achieving this vision starts with addressing fundamental human needs. Providing these necessities—for free—should be humanity’s top priority.
What Do You Think?
Have you seen My Old Ass? What lessons about gratitude, imagination, or societal change did it inspire in you? Let’s discuss how small changes in perspective can lead to a brighter, more connected future.
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