Things That Make My Heart Go Pitty-Pat

It's a funny thing, defining what moves a person.

What gives their life meaning and keeps them going.

This post is NOT about my family, despite the fact that they do that and more for me.

I received a note from a friend recently. It ended with a line from one of my favorite movies, Casablanca.

"We'll always have Paris."

That conjures up all kinds of feelings; that despite how something has ended, one has a lovely memory to treasure of a time they enjoyed with someone else.



I know the movie is a romance and that I'm supposed to feel sad because Rick has done the noble thing, sending Ilsa away with her husband. And I do love the iconic moment when he tilts her head up and says "Here's looking at you, kid."

My heart starts to flutter just looking at her so-damned-cute hat. But there are two other lines that really set my pulses racing. Watch the ending and see if you can guess what they are.



Rick shoots Major Strasser, the police reinforcements arrive, and Captain Renault hesitates for a moment. Camera angle cuts back and forth between him and Rick. What will he say?

Round up the usual suspects.

This moves me. Louis Renault, corrupt and flawed, has chosen to protect a noble man who has possibly committed murder. He gives up everything he has to fight against the evil of oppression, to risk death for something truly important.

Admittedly, most of us aren't tested this way. Make no mistake, though. We face opportunities to stand up for our core values every day. To protect our friends when they need our help. To work together with companions to get things sorted out.

Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Cue stirring music. Walk off into the mist side by side, jauntily, ready to face whatever fate has to toss at you.



Oh, yeah. My heart is pounding hard.


What moves you? Feel free to illustrate your answer with movie quotes if it pleases you.