Poppy, the effervescent heroine of Mike Leigh’s film Happy-Go-Lucky, may have just found the answer to the meaning of life. This delightful film finds Poppy bouncing her way (literally) through London, seemingly unaffected by the challenges that come her way.
When Poppy’s bike is stolen, she signs up for driving lessons. When she throws her back out jumping on a trampoline, a friend invites her to take flamenco lessons. Are these choices driven by a character who just happens to be good at avoiding conflict, or is there a deeper message?
Poppy and The Law of Attraction
The Law of Attraction has been made popular in recent years, thanks to the movie The Secret. It is the belief that thoughts can become reality, and that by simply sending positive thoughts into the world, our lives can change for the better.
Poppy’s vibrant chatter (when she discovers her bike has been stolen, she shrugs her shoulders and says, “Aw, I didn’t get to say goodbye!”) gives the impression that she’s impervious and perhaps even unaware that anything bad could ever happen to her. But as the movie progresses, it becomes clearer that Poppy has chosen optimism as her emotional set-point.
What’s most engaging about Poppy is that she’s not preachy or Pollyanna-like in her communication with others. When her friends complain about their lives, she listens empathetically, often mirroring their words (“aw, yeah, I know. Terrible, isn’t it?”). Within minutes, she’s turned the conversation around, leaving her companion laughing along with her.
Attracting Conflict
Perhaps her biggest challenge comes in the form of driving lessons, which are led by an abusive, aggressive man who belittles Poppy at every turn. Her reaction is to giggle her way through each lesson, gently teasing Scott (played by Eddy Marson) until he explodes in a fit of rage at the films’ end.
Did she attract this man into her life? Perhaps. As a primary school teacher, Poppy seems intent on helping lost souls, and her instructor is a perfect candidate for her attention. That’s how the Law of Attraction works: thoughts + emotion = action.
The Law of Attraction and Love
Poppy doesn’t mention love until at least two-thirds of the way through the film. When she does, a short time later, she bonds with a delightful social as the two help a troubled boy. Not only is he the perfect match for the lively but soulful lass, he also happens to have a car. A perfect coincidence, or Law of Attraction?
Living the Happy-Go-Lucky Way
According to Poppy and the Law of Attraction, the pursuit of happiness may be more simple than you think. If you’re thinking a negative thought, change the thought to something that makes you happier. By thinking about something happier (like walking in the woods or talking to a friend), you can be moved into action. Over time, you can attract bigger and better things—abundance, positive events, and even love. One thought, one emotion, one action at a time, you can live a happier life, if you simply choose it.
