**Lessons Found in the Fast and Furious Movies**

by Kevin Gardner

Movies are a great way to escape the real world and place yourself in the middle of a new life. Films that extend from one to a series are some of the most exciting to watch because the storyline continues. “The Fast and Furious” set is no exception. Many watch it for its thrills and action scenes, but if you pay close attention, you can find some important life lessons. Here are nine messages these movies teach.

Winning is Winning

Some will say that winning must require a great defeat, but these movies show that a win means victory, no matter how close it was. The accomplishments you experience throughout your life should be praised and remembered, no matter how small they seem. It is important to look back on what you have achieved knowing you gave it your all.

Family is Everything

There isn’t anything that Dom wouldn’t have done for his family. Family is one of the most important things in life, no matter what they’ve done. The close-knit relationships presented in these movies extend beyond bloodlines, encompassing every member of the team. The ties that bind them all together are as strong as any that can be made. Each of them knows the importance of being together and what being family means.

Everyone is Deserving

No matter their past, each person deserves a second chance. Throughout the series, you see different members make mistakes. Each one is given another chance to prove themselves. This does not mean you carelessly allow someone back into your life without some precautions if they have previously wronged you; however, you should be willing to let them start over again.

Life is Happening

No matter the outcome of the race, life continues to go on. New challenges are found; new competitions need to be won. Sometimes it’s hard to get yourself back up again, but you must. Life doesn’t stop because you want it to. Moments continually pass and what time you have can be wasted if you don’t get back up again.

Goodbye is Agonizing

The iconic end scene showing Brian driving off in the seventh movie is one not many can forget. It symbolizes the depth of pain that comes when saying, “goodbye.” Losing a friend or loved one brings anguish like no other. The new life you must learn to live without that person in it is something that takes time and endless moments of grief. There is some comfort in knowing that though they may be gone, they will never be forgotten.

Success is Demanding

The only way to improve upon something is to practice it. Brian continuously practices his driving skills to ensure he can win any race. If you wish to master something, you must determine to give it everything you've got. Never give up on your end goal and continuously work for it.

History is Shadowing

In the sixth movie, Brian apologizes to Dom for what happened to Letty. Dom’s response is simple and clear. What’s done is done, and there is no way to go back in time and change how things happened. No matter what you did in the past, you need to let go. Holding on to the past will prevent you from making history. You cannot change what you have done, but you can control what you will do.

Passion is Invigorating

Doesn’t matter if the racer drove one of the most popular cars by state or one of the junkiest one’s ever seen, each one desired to win. There were no half-hearted attempts for gaining victory, they put all they had to the test. Passion can fuel you to reach the end and be the best you can be. It can ignite a fire in you causing you to do things you never thought possible.

Loyalty is Overwhelming

The “ride or die” mentality may seem to be extremist, but it is one of the most important lessons that can be learned through these movies. It’s a promise that no matter what happens, you will be there for your partner. This bond of loyalty goes so deep nothing could ever break it.

These movies are beyond exciting and bring a level of suspense no one can deny. Next time you watch them though, keep a lookout for the real-life lessons they teach.