The Force Awakens

The Star Wars franchise is alive and well! The latest movie, opening this weekend, has some lessons worth considering.

"Along time ago in a galaxy far, far away ..."

Written in blue against the blackness of space, these words pop up at the beginning of every Star Wars movie, signifying that we are about to see and hear a story that transcends time and space. They first appeared in 1977, when the original Star Wars film hit the screen, followed by The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

In 1999, a set of three prequels was launched, and now -- after a long wait -- the first of three sequels is set to be released: The Force Awakens. It promises to be one of the monster films of the Christmas season.

Set 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi, this movie features some fresh characters right alongside the heroes of previous Star Wars installments -- Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia. You'll also see Stormtroopers, X-wing fighters, R2-D2, light sabers and Chewbacca. They'll all be back.

And, of course, you'll experience "the Force." This is a power defined by Jedi Master Obi-Wan...