Life Lessons from Virgin River.
I’m not a huge TV watcher, mostly because I fall asleep before getting through a show :-) But recently, on an evening when I wasn’t feeling the best (not COVID!) I started watching Virgin River on Netflix and loved it so much that I just finished watching it for a second time. For me, there are so many takeaways. I’m at a pretty introspective place in my life right now. Coming off the last year of this pandemic, feeling some shifts that I’m paying close attention to, and ready to jump off on some new adventures. Maybe it’s why this show resonated so much with me. I’m sharing my takeaways because I think they might speak to you too.
Mel Monroe, the main character, is a nurse practitioner who has faced significant losses in her life and is trying to make a fresh start. The setting is Northern CA on the show, but it’s actually filmed in breathtaking Vancouver. Omg, I want to go there!! Mel meets Jack Sheridan, who also has some deep pains that haunt him. They are both finding their way through this messy life and are drawn to one another. Beyond their characters, I love the character development of the entire cast. They are each carrying something, trying to work it out, finding their way, and deciding how to incorporate their particular story into their present lives and relationships. It’s a show that you have to be somewhat patient with as each character develops, but I think you will find it really beautiful and heartwarming.
The themes of the show are…
Grief.
Starting over.
Coming to terms with our lives.
Opening our hearts again.
Being brave.
Getting in the mix with people.
I saw myself in Mel for many reasons. Mostly the way she navigated her feelings, her feisty nature, and the way she allowed her story to unite her with others.
While I don’t want to give away anything if you haven’t watched it yet, here are my top 11 takeaways:-)
Our scars allow us to connect with others and serve them. If we are willing to share them, the pains in our lives can help others feel not so alone in theirs. Our healing and awakening give others a perspective that helps them on their journey.
Sometimes serving others is the only path forward. We can serve others even before we can deal with ourselves and the sadness in our own hearts. Service cracks open the door and allows us to face our story and experience healing.
Healing is an inside job. Grief invites us to rediscover ourselves. The most challenging and most important work we can do.
Sometimes we need a fresh start, a new beginning. That’s okay. It’s not always running away. Maybe it’s saying...I can’t go back to the scene of the accident, crime, disappointment, or trauma. Moving on doesn’t mean we don’t feel any of it; rather it can create a space for healing to happen if we are intentional about that.
Opening up our hearts is hard. Prying them open after we’ve experienced profound loss feels impossible. But at some point, we come to the realization that if we don’t let love in again, we can’t fully live.
Forgiving ourselves is the hardest of all. But living with guilt and negative self-talk is heavier. Surrendering to life as it is, is the way forward.
We thrive and grow in a community, even if it’s imperfect. We just need people who love us as we are.
There is no such thing as perfect love, just two imperfect people willing to give it a go: scars and all.
We need at least one person in our life who is not afraid of our pain.
Nature is healing. Get outside!
Everyone is carrying something, be gentle.
I felt like I was able to reflect on my own healing journey by watching the series. I was able to see how far I’ve come and even got some insight about why, perhaps, I did things the way I did them. I love when I watch something that helps me to see myself in a different way. This series did that for me. Netflix has renewed Virgin River for a third season that’s reportedly coming out in November.
Oh and the sound track is SO good. I’ve had it on repeat on Apple Music.
