Feel the Force

The dying scream of the Tauntaun echoed through the Wampa's lair. The ice monster tore with relish into its freshest kill. The death knell pierced Luke Skywalker's ears, shaking him back to consciousness. Blood pounded in his brain as he realized he was suspended upside down. He pulled himself up and struggled with the ice that held him fast to the ceiling but to no avail. He hadn't the strength to wrench himself free. His body fell limply back to its original position and as he stared at the snowdrifts covering the floor of the cave his eyes settled on a metallic object. His lightsaber. It must have fallen from his belt and now lay half buried just out of reach. Luke frantically reached out, trying to extend his body to its fullest. The rising panic increased his flailing, which caught the attention of the Wampa, but brought him no closer to the weapon. Suddenly the words of the old Jedi master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, sprang into his mind. Luke relaxed his body. He closed his eyes and stretched out his feelings to the energy of the universe, the Force. The approaching terror of the ice creature could not break his connection, Luke could feel the power within him. He slowly opened his eyes and held out his hand to the lightsaber. It stirred. Luke could hear the Wampa's footsteps edging closer but his oneness with the Force calmed his body and mind. The weapon leapt into his hand. The shimmering blade shattered the ice enclosing his feet and Luke toppled to the ground. The Wampa was upon him. He dismembered the monster with one swift stroke and fled the cave into a blinding snowstorm.
The Empire Strikes Back, 1980

I love this example of Luke first using the Force. He used it when he launched his proton torpedoes and destroyed the Death Star but it was hardly noticeable without Darth Vader's comment that he could feel the Force emanating from the pilot he chased. The incident in the Wampa's cave shows Luke using the techniques taught to him by Obi-Wan. I keep these words handy in my mind to deal with stressful situations.

"Remember, a Jedi can feel the Force flowing through him."
"You mean it controls your actions?"
"Partially. But it also obeys your commands."
Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker
Star Wars, 1977

"Stretch out with your feelings."
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Star Wars, 1977

"Use the Force, Luke. Let go, Luke. Luke, trust me."
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Star Wars, 1977

I started relying on these lessons when I first went back to college after 6 years of not being in school. I had to face taking tests again and often worried if I would be able to remember anything. The professor that taught me German said that once you learn something it's in your brain but factors like stress and time limits make you forget or block information. This sounded logical to me so I turned to the words of Obi-Wan as a calming technique. On the day of an exam, I would study up until I entered the classroom, usually around 10 minutes early, and then I would sit with my eyes closed trying to calm my mind. Sometimes while writing an essay I would hit a block. I would just set my pencil down and I could hear Obi-Wan's voice in my head. I would calm down, recall what I wanted to say, and be able to resume writing. I could feel the Force flowing through me.

These words of wisdom are necessary when I get behind the wheel of a car. I'm a madman. I hate the way people drive. I've tried to self-analyze this and the only answer I could come up with was "These people can kill me." I'm convinced that people run on auto-pilot 99% of the their day, especially when doing something that is routine like driving. This is just unacceptable. You have to be totally aware at every single second and watch not only your own driving but all the drivers around you as well. My hatred of the human race stems from the fact that I feel there is usually zero thinking going on inside people's heads. I'm okay with that, but when you're driving a car you need to think. Other people's lives are at stake. It's the one time I demand that people use their brain. My grandfather was killed by a trucker that fell asleep at the wheel and I'm sure this contributes to my expectations. My wife hates when I rant when I drive. It's not every minute, but, boy, do I get nuts when someone does something stupid. "Why did you do that? What's the logic behind it? There must not be a thought in that person's head!" I usually watch my language but my kids get an earful when someone makes a dumb decision on the road. They usually just tell me to stop saying bad words, but I have taught them my calming techniques and they pull them out every now and again. Not only in the car but also if I'm angry around the house. If I can't calm myself, I ask my older son to help me and he knows " A Jedi can feel the Force flowing through him." My younger son doesn't quite know the words but I've explained the lesson of Luke in the Wampa's cave so when he sees me upset he'll tell me "Remember Luke in the Wampa's cave." It helps me but I think he's more interested in the monster getting his arm chopped off. Life is full of high stress situations and it is helpful to stay calm. So stretch out with your feelings and feel the Force.