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I first heard of Aron Ralston’s ordeal several years ago. He was the hiker that was trapped in a crevasse for 7 days, and survived only after having to amputate his own arm with a pen knife. I was entralled with the story – to me it just captured the will to survive, against all odds. I remember picking up the autobiography of Ralston’s at a neighborhood bookstore, and I was so taken by his introduction that I scribbled it down in the little green notebook I like to carry for random thoughts and ideas. The text reads as follows:

“…our purpose as spiritual beings is to follow our bliss, seek our passions and live our lives as inspirations to each other. Everything else flows from that. When we find inspiration, we need to take action for ourselves and for our communities. Even if it means making a hard choice, or cutting out something and leaving it in your past.
Saying farewell is also a bold and powerful beginning.”
– Aron Ralston, “Between a Rock and a Hard Place”

It’s funny; there was so much controversy regarding the actual amputation sequence of the film, but to me it was everything else that was difficult to watch. To see a man be trapped, helpless and alone to me was far more disturbing. It was almost a joy for me to see James Franco take charge of his destiny. This film, directed by Danny Boyle, (Trainspotting, The Beach, Slumdog Millionaire), is a beautiful testament to the human spirit of survival.