The Last Jedi: What We Can Learn From Kylo Ren

Editor’s note: Be warned, some spoilers ahead!

Upon finishing the movie Star Wars: The Last Jedi, a little bit of sadness crept into me. Not because of all the death that happened, but it was due to a particular Ben Solo. Or his more infamous name, Kylo Ren.

Personally, I wouldn’t lump Kylo as a villain but neither would I hail him as a hero. Beneath all the superpowers and murders, he feels so familiar. He reminds me of a directionless teenager, trying to find where he belongs, his identity and his purpose.

Kylo Ren | Disney & Lucasfilm

However, I believe, he has finally come of age. He may not know truly what his purpose in life, but at the very least, by the end of the film, he knows with real conviction what he wants to do. He stepped up and picked up the mantle of the Supreme Leader for the First Order as if it was meant for him all along.

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His journey to the top was far from easy, but for all those emotional and physical scars he acquired, he taught us three lessons on personal development.

1. Your upbringing matters

He hailed from a respectable family, getting mentored by influential individuals, where they shaped him to be skillful in combats. Had he not been exposed and gone through all the training, he will not been able to even utilise the Force.

All our experiences, training and coaching teach us what to do and what not to do; including soft skills to be utilised in life. That’s why we should focus on the lessons from these experiences instead of treating them as painful mistakes.

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2. Move on when it’s time

Kylo had two mentors in his life; i.e. Luke Skywalker and Snoke. With each mentor, he came across a time where he needed to decide whether he would stay with them, or follow a new path. In those moments, he chose to chart a new path as staying with them would only hinder him.

In life, we sometimes reach a juncture where we outgrow a mentor or a company, and we need to recognise it when it occurs. To grow further, we need to take that leap of faith and venture into a different path.

3. Strength is important

Without strength, Kylo would have lost his life the moment he decided to move on.

In moving on, strength is definitely needed. Whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional, strength is necessary in order for you to move on with real conviction as most times, you will face much resistance to get to where you’re supposed to be.

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In conclusion

No matter what your aspiration in life, Kylo’s character is something we can learn from. Everyone has his/her own life story. Each moment has its own pivotal significance. Therefore, in moving towards your aspiration, do the following:

Reflect on your fundamentals. They serve as your arsenal.
Be mindful on the kind of decisions you should make.
Improve yourself constantly as knowledge is endless and the world is ever-evolving.

I wish you all the best in making the universe a better place!

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