Oh, I felt this one! I got chills just now reading about your chills during that scene. 😆 I haven’t seen Dune, but now my interest has been piqued! Five years ago, I had a “show me who you are” moment that lasted years when my entire world blew up in every possible way. It felt like being skinned alive. There were times I doubted my ability to survive it. But I did and now see it as the best thing that ever happened to me.
I don’t know how it all works, but I love that we all seem to be given those moments, opportunities, to really discover what we’re made of. Thank you for sharing your stories of resilience. ✨
Jenn, this is one of the best compliments for a text ever. 😆 This movie is a cinematic masterpiece, such a thing happens once in 20 years. You should absolutely see it while it is still available in cinemas, IMAX preferably.
Thank you for being open about your “show me who you are” story. It is so paradoxical that although these are extremely uncomfortable (to say the least) moments, after a while such memories strike us as the most beautiful.
"It is a make-it-or-break scenario. Raw, captivating and deeply intimate. Not because of some seductive company you enjoy. But purely based on a deeper connection with yourself. A more pristine look into the very essence of one’s being. That is exactly when you feel the most alive."
You said this so perfectly, I knew exactly what those moments are for me. It's when I take a risk, knowing people close to me - or a greater mass - won't agree with me. It's when you put yourself out there and succeed - not by the world's standards, but by your own. When you surprise yourself with a risk you never thought you'd take.
This is a fantastic analysis of the scene in Dune! You really capture the raw intensity of that moment with Feyd Rautha.
The "show me who you are" line is chilling, and you perfectly describe the feeling of being thrown into the deep end, forced to confront your own limits.
I also love your connection to your own experiences. Sharing your story about going abroad and starting over adds a personal touch that resonates.
Overall, this is a well-written piece that explores the transformative power of facing challenges.
I have to say - I absolutely loved all the characters in Dune 2. The movie certainly evoked many feelings in me and I know exactly what you mean about the feeling of the only way out is forward. I went sent abroad to a boarding school when I was 10. Got picked up by a rep from the Thai Embassy at Heathrow and drove me and my 11-year old brother to our school. Surviving boarding school as an international student in the 90s was tough on both of us but in very different ways.
In 2020, my husband and I closed down our business in London and relocated to Bangkok. Major culture shock to this day but still surviving through it. Thank goodness I discovered Substack last year. Ever since I can remember, I have always thought of life as a battle. I shared this perspective with my husband a while back and at first, he didn't quite get how serious I was. So when I saw your post mentioning the Harkonnen arena - I was like, yeah... this guy gets it.
Chusana, what an honest, insightful and inspiring comment this is! Dune characters are something out of this universe (both figuratively and literally). After seeing the movie I became obsessed about it and started using the scenes and characters to illustrate philosophical points in my texts on Substack.
Thank you for sharing your story. It seems to me that there is a specific type of people who perceive life as a fight. Just like you, I have discovered that some folks from my environment are not touched by the Harkonnen arena scene the same way we are. Glad to discover a like-minded soul.
Likewise, Tomas. To be honest, what surprised me the most is the feeling of loneliness that comes with being on this journey of personal discovery. It has made me become more stern with my boundary and.... I guess 'harsher' on others when it is disrespected. I'm not sure if you're in a similar situation to me but I am surrounded by very emotional people that have yet to process their deeper feelings. Anger is often displaced, traits of narcissism quite high, wearing social masks is kinda encouraged, everyone has a 'role' to play and authenticity is not a real thing.
Writing and meeting people like you has become little highlights of my day. Glad to have connected.
Marie, I don't, now I am based in Vilnius. Love to hear that you are from Belgium! I have a very precious memories from living there. Where are you based?
Oh, I felt this one! I got chills just now reading about your chills during that scene. 😆 I haven’t seen Dune, but now my interest has been piqued! Five years ago, I had a “show me who you are” moment that lasted years when my entire world blew up in every possible way. It felt like being skinned alive. There were times I doubted my ability to survive it. But I did and now see it as the best thing that ever happened to me.
I don’t know how it all works, but I love that we all seem to be given those moments, opportunities, to really discover what we’re made of. Thank you for sharing your stories of resilience. ✨
Jenn, this is one of the best compliments for a text ever. 😆 This movie is a cinematic masterpiece, such a thing happens once in 20 years. You should absolutely see it while it is still available in cinemas, IMAX preferably.
Thank you for being open about your “show me who you are” story. It is so paradoxical that although these are extremely uncomfortable (to say the least) moments, after a while such memories strike us as the most beautiful.
"It is a make-it-or-break scenario. Raw, captivating and deeply intimate. Not because of some seductive company you enjoy. But purely based on a deeper connection with yourself. A more pristine look into the very essence of one’s being. That is exactly when you feel the most alive."
You said this so perfectly, I knew exactly what those moments are for me. It's when I take a risk, knowing people close to me - or a greater mass - won't agree with me. It's when you put yourself out there and succeed - not by the world's standards, but by your own. When you surprise yourself with a risk you never thought you'd take.
Madeline, so glad you enjoyed this! This is exactly this. Succeeding by your own standards is the real success.
This is a fantastic analysis of the scene in Dune! You really capture the raw intensity of that moment with Feyd Rautha.
The "show me who you are" line is chilling, and you perfectly describe the feeling of being thrown into the deep end, forced to confront your own limits.
I also love your connection to your own experiences. Sharing your story about going abroad and starting over adds a personal touch that resonates.
Overall, this is a well-written piece that explores the transformative power of facing challenges.
Ayesha, thank you very much for kind words and I love the fact that you captured and enjoyed my text to the depths!
You're welcome!
“Show me who you are”
Life’s most brutal and simplest of questions.
I have to say - I absolutely loved all the characters in Dune 2. The movie certainly evoked many feelings in me and I know exactly what you mean about the feeling of the only way out is forward. I went sent abroad to a boarding school when I was 10. Got picked up by a rep from the Thai Embassy at Heathrow and drove me and my 11-year old brother to our school. Surviving boarding school as an international student in the 90s was tough on both of us but in very different ways.
In 2020, my husband and I closed down our business in London and relocated to Bangkok. Major culture shock to this day but still surviving through it. Thank goodness I discovered Substack last year. Ever since I can remember, I have always thought of life as a battle. I shared this perspective with my husband a while back and at first, he didn't quite get how serious I was. So when I saw your post mentioning the Harkonnen arena - I was like, yeah... this guy gets it.
Chusana, what an honest, insightful and inspiring comment this is! Dune characters are something out of this universe (both figuratively and literally). After seeing the movie I became obsessed about it and started using the scenes and characters to illustrate philosophical points in my texts on Substack.
Thank you for sharing your story. It seems to me that there is a specific type of people who perceive life as a fight. Just like you, I have discovered that some folks from my environment are not touched by the Harkonnen arena scene the same way we are. Glad to discover a like-minded soul.
Likewise, Tomas. To be honest, what surprised me the most is the feeling of loneliness that comes with being on this journey of personal discovery. It has made me become more stern with my boundary and.... I guess 'harsher' on others when it is disrespected. I'm not sure if you're in a similar situation to me but I am surrounded by very emotional people that have yet to process their deeper feelings. Anger is often displaced, traits of narcissism quite high, wearing social masks is kinda encouraged, everyone has a 'role' to play and authenticity is not a real thing.
Writing and meeting people like you has become little highlights of my day. Glad to have connected.
Are you still living in Brussels Tomas? (I'm from Belgium ;)) And you are an architect? Double cool!
But Brussels can be rough, indeed.
Marie, I don't, now I am based in Vilnius. Love to hear that you are from Belgium! I have a very precious memories from living there. Where are you based?