Tip#234: Find Support In Any Shape It Comes – Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Making the journey towards your dreams and goals could be a long one. That's why it is important to maintain an optimistic attitude and have support in any form it takes.

It is always exciting to watch the Oscars because of the reactions on the winner's faces. And this year's 81st Academy Awards was extra inspiring. Many of the winners expressed awe in being onstage because they grew up dreaming about that moment. You could feel their positive emotional energy overflowing!

And one story that touched me was best actor nominee Mickey Rourke and his comeback from challenging times. He had openly expressed that it was his dog, Loki who was key in keeping his spirits positive during his many years of hardship. He had planned on taking his Chihuahua to the Oscars with him.

Sadly, Loki died just days before the Oscars on Sunday. Rourke believed Loki stayed alive long enough for him to complete his journey back to a new life in Hollywood in his late 50's. And I believe in this synchronistic timing because there are special people who come in and out of my life supporting me through the hardships.

The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy

Whenever I think about my journey through my depression years I remember The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy that was released during that time. The films became a metaphor about the important people who come into our lives that help us move forward and face our fears and struggles.

Frodo Baggins is the central hero of the trilogy whose task is to make a long, almost impossible journey. Along the way he encounters diverse characters and creatures who stand by him. Some die and some make it all the way with Frodo to see him accomplish his goal.

Let this inspire you to know that support can come in all shapes and forms to aid you in your dreams and goals. Let Rourke's comeback with the help of his dog inspire you to recognize support in any shape it comes. Remember you are never alone.

And as I stated in my last blog entry, tip#233, to overcome the stress of the current economy it is key to cultivate supportive relationships. One of the positives of this economic crisis is a chance for you to take inventory of people you can count on no matter what. Start by believing the support is already around you.

Emmanuel Lopez
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2009

Tip#233: How To Deal With Negative Economic News - Cinderella Man

It's so easy to get stressed by the negative news of the current economy. That's why it is more important than ever to be optimistic in order to persevere.

The key to dealing with the negative news on TV or the newspapers is the same as dealing with the sun. You know the sun is up there so you don't have to look directly at it. Treat the heavy economic news the same way and use your peripheral vision just to acknowledge it is there.

Upside of the Downturn

I was really happy to read the latest cover story of Toronto's NOW Magazine called "Upside of the Downturn" by Alice Klein. It is the best, most positive article I have read since the September 2008 crash and parallels what I am doing to help people build optimistic mindsets. Klein outlines 10 points that will help you see the silver lining of this crisis. Read article: click here

One of the points focuses on supporting one another building a sense of community. Another point involves acknowledging resources that are critical to your personal well-being. Both of these factors are key to increasing your positive emotional energy.

Cinderella Man

One of my favourite movies that inspires perseverance is Cinderella Man. The film can be a model of how to deal with economic stress as it is based on a true story of boxer James Braddock surviving the great depression while supporting his family.

The great depression lasted for many years and this film displays 3 important keys for persevering ANY hardship: Keep your passions alive like the love of family; Maintain a sense of community; And no matter how grim life appears always maintain a positive, optimistic attitude.

So do your best not to dwell on the negative news about the global economy. Treat the news like the sun above and use your peripheral vision to just know it is there. Stay focused on the upside of whatever is in front of you. Remember there is ALWAYS a silver lining in every dark cloud.

Emmanuel Lopez
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2009

Tip#232: Build Community Now – Gran Torino

Sometimes meeting new people can frightening. But when you break through that negative mindset you could discover new, supportive relationships.

I believe one of the keys to overcoming the stress of our current economic climate is to build a sense of community. As mentioned in tip#229 people can be your greatest resource for help. And it doesn't have to be a huge community. For you it could be a community of two or three people you'd confidently go into battle with.

Gran Torino

One film that's about building stronger community is Gran Torino starring Clint Eastwood. Eastwood plays Walt, a widower and a bitter Korean War vet, who learns to open up to his Asian neighbours. Though it is a challenge for him to change his negative mindset he starts to transform into a more thoughtful and protective neighbour.

His actions in dealing with the gangs of his neighbourhood becomes a chain reaction for positive change. He becomes someone you'd confidently go into battle with. And it all starts with Walt opening his heart to new, meaningful relationships. By helping others he energized his own life and his neighbourhood.

How Full Is Your Bucket?

It reminded me of the book I wrote about in tip#150 called How Full Is Your Bucket? The book is about building community in the workplace and that it starts by the recognition and acknowledgment of those around you. It's about committing random acts of recognition both in the workplace AND everywhere else in your life.

So if the economic climate is getting you down remember that there are supportive people already around you. Start focusing on opening your heart and mind to new people you can build community with.

You can start by developing your interaction skills with online social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn. All you have to do is take small steps towards connecting with people that you feel "fill your bucket" with positive energy.

And when everyone is filling each other's buckets then you'll end up with a community brimming with positive energy!

CONNECT WITH ME NOW:
You can find me under Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
on these social networking sites:
• Facebook.com: click here
• Linkedin.com: click here
• Twitter.com: click here
• Dailychallenge.org: click here

Emmanuel Lopez
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2009

Tip#231: Top 4 Movies for Foodgasms = Positive Energy!

When you taste food you love it fills you with positive emotional energy. And when you taste food that's out of this world you have a foodgasm!

In my motivational presentations I always talk about identifying your passions because indulging in what you love or love to do every day can energize your mental health and productivity. Movies is a big passion of mine and so is food. When I watch a favourite movie it fills me with positive energy. And when I taste delicious, tantalizing foods it ignites all my senses!

The Best Scones - Chocolate Chunk Video

Recently I posted a video I made where I caught someone have a genuine foodgasm! She was tasting hot out of the oven organic scones called Chocolate Chunk and she couldn't hold back the passionate waves of ecstasy she experienced!

You can see how her facial expression ignites and how her whole body quivered in delight of the chocolaty taste. That's passion in action! That's positive emotional energy flowing through her body and mind! See video.



There are many movies that feature foodgasmic moments. Here are 4 favourites:

Big Night (1996)t

This movie is about 2 brothers wanting to boost business for their Italian restaurant during difficult times. So they create a special feast where their friends and guests all experience foodgasms!

Chocolat (2000)

The title says it all! This film features several scenes of characters loving the sweet, creamy taste of chocolate. Check out what happens when I deadbeat husband tastes some potent chocolate delights his wife got for him.

Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

This movie has one powerful scene where the movie hero tastes homemade cookies for the first time. The look on his face is so subtle and yet you will feel the inner ecstasy his taste buds just experienced!

Tampopo (1985)

This Japanese film celebrates the joys of food with short stories of people showing their passion and rituals for eating. Warning! This movie will make you hungry so have some delicious foods nearby when watching!

Energize Yourself With Passion

Filling yourself with positive emotional energy helps feed a positive attitude during challenging times like this current economic climate. The key is to become more conscious of what makes you feel good and then energize yourself on a regular basis.

Transform your negative energy into positive by treating yourself to favourite foods that lift your spirit. Treat yourself to comfort foods you grew up with. Feel the feel good energy that lifts up your thoughts. This is what builds a positive attitude and leads to building self-confidence, enthusiasm and drive.

So let yourself have a foodgasm once in awhile. Take your body, mind and spirit into the heavens with delicious foods. Then you'll feel like you can conquer anything!

What favourite food movies do you love?
Please let me know!

Emmanuel Lopez
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2009

Tip#230: Fall In Love With Yourself - Paris Je T’aime

I dream of going to Paris! I want to drink in the rich culture and experience all the delicious foods. I want to taste the fresh breads, pastries and creamy chocolates. There is a passion in this city that keeps calling me. So I continue to visualize myself in Paris loving everything the city has to offer.

A part of me wants to share this experience with the love of my life and since I haven't found her yet (as of this writing) I sometimes think that maybe she's in Paris waiting for me.

Paris, Je T'Aime 2006

Recently I discovered a movie that took me on a mini vacation to Paris called Paris, Je T'Aime. It is a series of 18 short films directed by several renowned directors showing the different sides to love in the diverse neighborhoods of Paris.

These slices of life are happy, sad, funny, and ultimately all about love. And it was the final story that touched me the most. It's about a woman who goes on a vacation alone in Paris, falls in love with Paris and Paris falls in love with her and then falls in love with herself.

It is this amazing and profound message that many motivational speakers and authors say about finding the love of your life. Before you can fall in love with someone you first have to fall in love with yourself. I've embraced this message and continue each day to love every part of who I am. And I know that one day I will find the love of my life who has fallen in love with herself too.

So whether you are with someone special now or still yearn for someone to fall in love with remember to fall in love with yourself first. Love every aspect of who you are. Celebrate all your successes big or small. Be fully aware of everything you are passionate about. Enjoy each delicious bite of your favourite chocolate or treat!

These actions fill you with positive emotional energy and that becomes magnetic. It's the law of attraction in action so focus on feeling good and you’ll radiate such positive energy into the world!

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

SPECIAL VALENTINES CHOCOLATE VIDEO: click here
Here is a video I made for my friend, "The Scone Queen" (also know as the Organic Mechanic) who makes the most delicious organic scones called "Chocolate Chunk".




Emmanuel Lopez
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2009

Tip#229: Start Connecting With Others - Meet John Doe

How you overcome the current economic challenges will depend on having an optimistic mindset. And one way to do this is to remember that people are your greatest resource for help.

The economic crisis that's now hitting the world is being compared to the great depression of the late 20's and 30's which lasted for years. The good news is there is all kinds of help out there and that I'm already a resource with effective advice for unexpected change and crisis. This blog of motivational tips was always meant to be an online resource for anyone around the world.

Social Networking Sites

There are many online resources to help you find supportive people. Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are 3 social networking sites (also used for business) that have all provided me with meeting individuals who have helped me both personally and professionally.

Another new resource originating from Toronto is Daily Challenge.org and is all about building community through suggesting and doing daily acts of kindness. Famed spiritual guru Deepak Chopra is already a member.



I'm proud to say that I am friends with the creators of Daily Challenge.org and have created a special Motivatorman Minute video describing what they do and how it works. See my video: click here


Meet John Doe

The importance of connecting and supporting one another is explored in many Frank Capra movies such as It's A Wonderful Life and Mr. Deeds Goes to Town. I recently watched another that energized my optimism during this economic situation we are all in.

Meet John Doe stars Gary Cooper as a homeless man who accepts an unusual job of representing the everyday man for a major newspaper needing to boost sales. He ends up inspiring an entire nation with heartfelt speeches about the everyday person and how important it was to help one another in difficult times.

Being neighbourly and building community was the message of the movie and is a much-needed message for overcoming today's problems. You just have to take action and keep an open mind and heart when it comes to meeting new people in your own life.

We're All In The Same Boat

So remember that cultivating supportive relationships will help you overcome your current challenges. And those actions will help you build an optimistic mindset. Watch your favourite movies because that will also help increase your positive emotional energy.

We're all in the same boat so start connecting with others already near you. You'll be surprised at how good you feel knowing you are not alone in your challenges!

Take Action Now:

Connect with me now on these social sites and you will automatically be connected to my own list of contacts. Find me under: Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman. Take one step at a time to explore how these sites work and you will be surprised at the exciting opportunities waiting for you:

• Facebook.com: click here
• Linkedin.com: click here
• Twitter.com: click here
• Dailychallenge.org: click here

Emmanuel Lopez
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2009

Tip#228: Be Focused and Be Relentless - Taken

It's easy to give up on something when life or career issues feel overwhelming. But if you develop an optimistic mindset then nothing can stop you from getting what you want. Nothing like time or age will be able to hold you back.

It's been almost 10 years since I began my mid-life transition from having a successful illustration career to a more satisfying career in the motivational field. It's been a rough road but I've learned to stay positive. It's been a long time of cleansing for old, negative thought patterns and then reprogramming my attitude to have an indestructible mindset.

Movie heroes have been a big key in motivating me to persevere despite debilitating times of hopelessness. Recently I discovered a new movie hero who will motivate anyone at any age.

Taken

The movie Taken stars Liam Neeson in a role that makes him the most unexpected new action hero. Neeson's character Bryan Mills, a retired spy, is reluctant to allow his 17 year old daughter to vacation in Paris. His fears are confirmed after she arrives in Paris, kidnapped and forced into a slave trade.

That's when our movie hero inspires! He calmly takes control of his daughter's situation and makes it his primary goal to save her. He is focused and he is relentless. Watching Neeson's character behave like Jason Bourne or James Bond will inject you with positive emotional energy!

What was most inspiring was both Neeson and his character's age are in their 50's and demonstrate incredible self-confidence, persistence and fantastic physical skills. It reminded me of other movie stars and movie heroes like:

• Deep Impact starring Robert Duvall
• Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull starring Harrison Ford
• Live Free or Die Hard starring Bruce Willis
• Rocky Balboa starring Sylvester Stallone
• Space Cowboys starring Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland and James Gardner

The men in these movies show that age is never a barrier for any goal or dream you want to achieve. That goes for women as well. The only barriers that exist are the negative thoughts YOU create that keep you from focusing on what you truly want.

So don't let excuses like age keep you from what you want in life or your career. Be inspired by these movie heroes to remain focused and relentless towards your own goals. Build a mindset that is optimistic and indestructible.

At any age you have what it takes to achieve whatever you desire. Believe it, feel it and then take action!

Read more in Tip#104: It’s Never Too Late: click here

Emmanuel Lopez
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2009

Tip#227: Repeat A Better Story For Yourself - Groundhog Day

Once again my trust in going with the flow has paid off. Since returning Jan. 1st from my month long vacation in the US I was not motivated to dive right into my work. I was compelled to just focus on listening to 2 audio books over and over again.

One was Think and Grow Rich: The 21st-Century Updated Edition (see tip#221) and the other was Money and the Law of Attraction. Listening to these on my iPod earphones I could actually feel the information go directly into my brain reprogramming a new and improved mindset!

Then suddenly, in the last week of January, synchronicity led me to 3 major events. Or perhaps my new revved up magnetic mindset activated the law of attraction for goals I set up back in December.

Either way this past week I first found myself in front of speaker James Ray from the movie The Secret as he gave a free seminar in Toronto. The next day I attended the HRPA Trade Show where I made some amazing business contacts connected to the Human Resources industry to share my motivational services with.

Eckhart Tolle's Story

The crème de la crème of the week was getting front row seats for the live studio interview of spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle on CBC TV's The Hour Show. It was a surreal experience being face to face with the author of The Power of Now and A New Earth. Oprah helped bring Tolle to the world via a 10 session online discussion. See tip#155

In his interview Tolle talked about his turning point when he was depressed and wanted to commit suicide one night. He had told himself he just couldn't live with himself anymore. That's when he realized that it was only his thoughts that kept repeating a story that he didn't want.

He realized that repetitive mental thoughts had built a prison for him and that he had the power to change his story. After that fateful night he found a purpose to live.

Tolle's story reminded me of what my own path from depression had been like. I realized that I could create new positive stories to replace old, repeating stories that had taken over my mind.

Groundhog Day

As I write this, tomorrow is Groundhog Day so this is a perfect movie to mirror the positive messages by Tolle. In the film, Phil Connors was magically forced to live the same day over and over again. He soon becomes depressed and suicidal because he felt he could not free himself from this form of prison.

It was only when he surrendered to his situation that he began to live in the moment. By not dwelling on the past or worry about the future Connors began to live fully in the present. He learned to play the piano, be more helpful to others and transformed into a more loving, thoughtful man for the woman he loved.

He created a new and improved story he kept repeating day after day. And soon he was truly free of the times he once looked at as his prison.

A Happier Life

So be inspired to create a better story for yourself. Train your mind to let go of old stories keeping your mind in prison. Be inspired by Tolle's message to create a new story for yourself that excites you. And keep repeating your vision of a happier life story and soon that story will become reality.

See more of my photos of Eckhart Tolle on Facebook: click here

Click on following tips for more Groundhog Daymovie tips:
Tip#24: See Groundhog Day over and over and over...
Tip#54: Recognize Your Secret Training
Tip#77: The Power In Repetition
Tip#81: Synchronicities With Street Kids
Tip#96: Favourite Stories Energize
Tip#127: More Groundhog Day Movie Lessons

Emmanuel Lopez
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2009