"That's Two You Owe Me."

Growing up, many of us were taught the Golden Rule – Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you. In the Star Wars universe, this lesson was important – especially if your Tauntaun does freeze to death.

As a young man, I did not always think before I acted – maybe some of you can relate. Like many boys, I was the source of much of the gray hair my mother now possesses. Much of that came from my mother trying desperately to make a respectable young man out of me.

Being a young man, my friends and I were constantly into things. We were always roughhousing, many times involving wrestling and fighting. Being an older brother, I was also involved in the kidnapping of my sisters’ dolls (and the alleged mutilation of one or two Barbies – all evidence was entirely circumstantial).

Inevitably, all of these instances would end with my mom, or some other adult punishing me, and reminding me that I should treat others, as I wanted to be treated. I am sure that none of you can relate to similar experiences in your past. While watching The Empire Strikes Back, I saw this very important lesson played out before my eyes.

Empire is my favorite of all the Star Wars movies. As the movie opens, Darth Vader is on the hunt for the rebels. Having destroyed the Death Star, the rebels have moved from a simple annoyance to the Emperor, to a more serious challenge to his power. One rebel in particular has captured the attention of Vader – young Skywalker.

As the scene on Hoth opens, Luke is investigating a meteor that recently crashed on the planet. While viewing the downed meteor, Luke is attacked. Knocked from his mount, his Tauntaun is strangled as he drifts into unconsciousness. Awakening, he finds himself suspended from the roof of a cave, at the mercy of a terrible beast.

Spying his lightsaber, he calls the weapon to him, “disarms” his attacker, and manages an escape. Yet in the freezing temperatures of Hoth, his survival is far from certain.  Back at the base, Han discovers that his friend has not returned. As the base is scoured for any trace of Luke, it soon becomes evident that he has not returned from his reconnaissance, and is missing out in a frozen wasteland.

Options for a rescue are discussed, but it quickly becomes evident that short of a miracle, Luke will not be saved. When Han realizes this, he cannot simply let his friend die. Mounting a Tauntaun, in spite of warnings from officers that his Tauntaun will freeze before he reaches the first marker, he responds with “See you in Hell”, and rides out in search of his friend.

Han, with his past experiences, understood better that most, the dangers inherent in this course of action. With temperatures dropping rapidly, he knew his chance of survival was minimal. Most likely, by going out after his friend, he would die.  Yet none of this mattered to Han. His friend was in trouble, and he knew he needed to help.

When you consider this scene, there was really nothing in this for Han. Yes he might be able to rescue his friend, and others might consider him a hero, but there was no reward, no promise of a safe return, and no “pay-off” in sight. In reality, there was nothing in it for him. The only thing that would happen, is that he would save is friend – that he would take care of another.

The older I get, the more I notice how foreign this idea is to many in this world. Very often, the first question that is asked is “What’s in it for me?” We live by the rule “You scratch my back, and I will scratch yours”. Instead of looking out for others around us, people often look out mainly for self.

Even our children have picked up on this message. When parents tell their kids to behave or clean their room, the first question is often, “Can I get a treat” or “How much will I get paid”? At school, when students are asked to do something – take out the trash, clean up the room, etc. – sometimes, following the request, I hear, “Can I get a treat from the office?”

We have become a society of people often looking for the angle – how can this benefit me? When this happens, we forget the golden rule of caring for others, and look out only for self. This is the exact opposite of what we see in Han. He cared nothing for self, and everything for a friend (remind you of any stories from Scripture?).

He could have given up. He could have turned back. When told the speeders were not working, he could have thrown up his hands and said, “Oh well, I tried”, and no one would have thought less of him. Instead, when his friend was in trouble, he was willing to give it all up to help another.

Our world could use more of these individuals. More people willing to give and help, with no thought of what is in it for them. Imagine how different this world could be, if we all felt and acted the same way?

Each day, the news is filled with hurt and selfish actions. Reports of crime, lawsuits, and terrorism fill the airways - rarely, do we hear the good. In spite of all the selfishness in the world, there are good stories out there. There are people who are giving, with no thought of return, and it is important that we all contribute to this, and share these with one another.

Take time to live out these selfless actions and share those stories with others. Whether they are small acts of kindness, or life changing miracles, each one is important.

Han’s selflessness had a huge impact on the Star Wars universe – imagine if Luke had died? What impact can your life produce, and how can you help your youngling carry that thought with them throughout their life? We can all impact the world around us – the question is how? Share you stories, and share with others what those small acts of selflessness can produce. If enough of us start living this way, we may wake up one morning, surprised at the difference one act, one life can make in this world.