There are moments in life when we feel like mere shadows walking the streets of the world, despite shining brighter than we could imagine. My story intertwines deeply with the themes of "Happy End": sacrifice, authenticity, and self-discovery. Just as Val lived every moment of her dream, embracing all the struggles that came with it, so did I, in moments when I was willing to lose everything to understand who I truly am.
Sacrificing for authenticity
At a time when I was declared missing and my photo appeared in tabloids, I wandered the streets of Bucharest barefoot, almost invisible to others. I experienced firsthand what it means to live on the edge of the world, where appearances and actions no longer matter. I bathed in park sprinklers and found meaning in small gestures. I picked up cigarette butts and other trash, symbolically wrapping bad things in beautiful packaging and good things in unattractive wrappings, much like in fairy tales where true treasures hide in seemingly insignificant objects.
This was my first lesson: it's not about what we choose on the surface, but the essence of things. Just as Val chose to live on the streets for her dream, I chose to experience life without comfort to connect with my inner reality.
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Starting from the bottom and meeting my spiritual guide
Just as Val began from scratch, taking on humble jobs, I chose to work at a car wash without denying my dreams. It was there that I met my spiritual guide, who listened and understood me. He advised me to return home, and that became my second step toward healing: accepting a starting point, no matter how low it seemed.
At home, I decided to test myself. I built a small hermitage by a stream and lived there for two months to explore my limits. I realized that I could live simply, without material possessions, and that true happiness doesn't come from things or status but from inner peace.
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Overcoming limits and self-discovery
When I understood that I had managed to face my fears and accept my trauma, I knew it was time to move to the next level. I called for an ambulance and voluntarily admitted myself to receive a proper diagnosis. It was a courageous but necessary step: to accept that sometimes we need help to understand why we do certain things that lack common logic.
Just like in "Happy End", the great lesson wasn't about winning a prize or reaching a grand destination but about discovering myself and addressing my inner wounds. Now in remission, I am more aware than ever that the journey matters more than the destination.
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The dream of a center for authenticity
My experiences and the inspiration from this film have led me to seek more than personal healing. Just as Jack overcame his own blockages by helping Val shine, my dream is to build a center in Romania for trauma healing and restoring hope. I want this center to be a place where those who feel lost can find their way. A place where unpolished diamonds are understood and valued for what they are, not for what society demands them to be.
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Promoting authenticity
I resonate with this film's message because I also promote authenticity, both in my personal and social life. I believe in a society where people don't sell their dreams for comfort or get corrupted by the desire for more. It's essential to learn how to argue constructively, express our viewpoints, and know when to let go of things that hold us back.
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Conclusion: The journey to oneself
Just like in "Happy End", the real story isn't about external success but about having the courage to look in the mirror and face your shadows. This is the lesson I want to share with those around me and the reason why, like Val, I continue my journey with confidence, hope, and authenticity.
