Tip#417: Some Things Change – Eat Pray Love

There is glorious sunshine here now since the heavy rain on Christmas Day (see previous tip#416). It's the 2nd part of my vacation here in Santa Barbara, California. I've been coming here since I was 3 years old and there is a timeless quality to this sunny serene town. There are beautiful mountains, rolling hills, palm trees, hidden beaches, fantastic food and warm people. Some things never change.

And yet some things do change. I was sad to discover that the Borders and Barnes & Noble bookstores on State St. were closing down. They have been fixtures there for decades and now they are selling off everything at a discount including ALL the shelving and display units.

I was told it was due to the recession, lease changes and mostly the growth of online internet sales. I loved going to these bookstores for years and now they'll be gone. It was a big mirror for my own intense year of change (see tip#400).

Eat Pray Love 2010

The movie Eat Pray Love is based on a true story of Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) losing her money, home and marriage and then finding her passion again in Italy, India and Bali. It's an epic movie about change. By embracing change Liz was able to make room for a new phase in her life.

There is a scene in India where she is told this: "If you could clear out all that space in your mind you'd have a doorway. And you know what the universe will do? Rush in! Everything else will take care of itself."

See this scene in the movie trailer: Click here

Exciting New Year

I feel blessed that I was able to return to Santa Barbara and Las Vegas at this time. I've been able to re-energize after a year of the biggest changes I've ever experienced in my life and career. I've recharged my batteries with the love of the many relatives and friends here. And, thanks to Christmas gifts, I have a brand new wardrobe that make me FEEL like a million bucks! It's a fantastic start to an exciting, prosperous new year!

And when I return home my goal is to donate most of my old clothes. I'm letting go of old energy of my previous life. I'm clearing a space for the universe to rush in!

Whatever changes you've experienced this year get ready for an exciting new year. Believe that change is just part of purging the old and bringing in new, thrilling opportunities into your life. Find the courage to make space and your dreams and goals will rush in!

THANK YOU FOR READING MY MOVIE BLOG.
I WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Superhero at Your Service!
Professional Speaker & Movie Blogger
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© Emmanuel Lopez 2010

Tip#416: Unusual Christmas Equals Memorable – Die Hard

I've just had the most unusual Christmas Day! It started off driving with family from Las Vegas at 2am in the morning for a 6 hour drive to Santa Barbara. We traveled through the thickest, pea soup fog I've ever seen. It was surreal and scary!

There were practically no cars on the highways on Christmas morning and when they appeared they're headlights looked like UFOs flying through the fog. As we got closer to Santa Barbara clear skies and a beautiful sunrise shown through. It didn't last long and it ended up raining the entire Christmas Day.

So this year I had no Christmas tree and no stockings hung by the chimney with care. And yet I was with loving relatives and just celebrated being together on this unusual Christmas. It reminded me of a movie that some consider an unusual but favourite Christmas film.

Die Hard 1988

The action thriller Die Hard takes place on Christmas Eve with Detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) dealing with terrorists in the office tower his wife is trapped in. This movie launched Willis as a big action star and was the film debut for Alan Rickman who'd later be part of the hugely popular Harry Potter movie series.

I remember how much I loved this movie when it first came out. I felt it redefined the action thriller genre. I remember how unusual it was that McClane was in his bare feet throughout most of the film fighting and running around in the office tower. And I loved when the classic song "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" by Vaughn Monroe played at the end of the movie.

Enjoy the Experience

So for me Christmas this year was very unusual but memorable. Even relatives in Santa Barbara said this amount of rain was not normal. In the end we went out to a fantastic Japanese restaurant for dinner and had a big feast! It was like Ralphie's family in A Christmas Story where they eat at a Chinese Restaurant on Christmas Day!

Whatever your location or situation is this holiday do your best to be in the moment and enjoy the experience. Hopefully in hindsight it will be a memorable time. And if you are going through a fog or rainy days remember that it will eventually end. Clear skies and sunshine will always return!

Check out highly unusual one day snowstorm in Las Vegas 2 years ago in my 2008 holiday greeting video. Click here

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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
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Professional Speaker & Movie Blogger
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© Emmanuel Lopez 2010

Tip#415: What Living In Abundance Looks Like – It's A Wonderful Life

Abundance: A great or plentiful amount

I just received an early Christmas gift of being interviewed live in Las Vegas on the internet radio station XRadio.biz. It was highly synchronistic this has happened as I am just on a holiday vacation here. The magical connection is that Erin McElroy from The Sheri and Erin Show (see tip#360) lives in Las Vegas and I let her know I'd be here. She then invited me to be her first guest of her new show she is co-hosting!

It was an extremely enjoyable interview that also included DJ Rejj Smooth, Program Director at Xradio.biz. We discussed my New York Times feature, my two life changing years (2000 and 2010) and movies that motivate such as Cinderella Man, Baby Boom, Rudy, Eat Pray Love and Elf.

One online listener wrote in asking to suggest movies that show what living in abundance looks like. The movie that came immediately to mind was The Pursuit of Happyness and I shared how the main character, Chris Gardner (Will Smith) was homeless and yet already living in abundance with his passion for his son and wanting to be a stockbroker.

Then I shared the example of the classic film It's A Wonderful Life in which it discusses the true nature of wealth. George Bailey (James Stewart) is in financial turmoil and discovers his true abundance in the number of friendships he'd accumulated.

It's A Wonderful Life 1946

The movie It's A Wonderful Life is a Christmas classic about George Bailey (James Stewart) who's dreams in life keep getting put on hold for many years. When Bailey is faced with a financial crisis he hits rock bottom and contemplates suicide. An angel comes to Bailey and shows him how rich his life was because of the difference he made in other people's lives.

Bailey discovers the abundance of friends he’d accumulated over the years who immediately came to his aid in his time of great need. He learns that true wealth is not money but in the friendships he had cultivated.

Be inspired by movies and real life stories to show you what living in abundance is like. Make sure you define what abundance means to YOU. Yes, money is a form of abundance and yet it can take all shapes and forms. So you may be surprised to recognize abundance is already in your life. Always remember you are full of wealth and richness in some way. You are full of abundance!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU
& ALL MY READERS AROUND THE WORLD!

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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
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© Emmanuel Lopez 2010

Tip#414: Pass the Time Away With A Good Movie – The Other Guys - Salt

After a very long, intense and transformative year (see tip#400) I am now unwinding in sunny (and rainy!) Las Vegas for a much needed holiday vacation. It was a 5-hour flight from Toronto and this time I wanted the travel time to fly by quickly. So I enjoyed 2 back-to-back in-flight movies, of my choice, thanks to Air Canada.

The Other Guys 2010

The comedy The Other Guys is a spoof on “buddy cop” movies about Detective Allen Gamble (Will Ferrell) and Detective Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg) wanting their shot at some glory in their work. The dialogue and characters were hilarious. There's even cameos of Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne Johnson spoofing their action hero roles.

At first I was stifling my laugh because I didn't want to disturb the other airline passengers. But I finally cut loose and didn't care who heard me laughing out loud!

Salt 2010

The movie Salt 2010 is an action-packed thriller about a C.I.A. agent named Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) who is told she is actually a Russian spy planted many years before. Jolie is incredible in her action scenes and the story was very engaging. You'll be wondering if she is or isn't a spy as well as who’s side she is really on.

At one point while watching this movie the captain came on the intercom to note the turbulence we were having. I wasn't even aware of this because I was so drawn into this movie.

You and Time

Watching back-to-back movies worked and this was the fastest 5-hour flight ever. I’m now doing my best to expand time so my vacation lasts as long as possible! I'll just soak up every moment I am here, eating good foods, getting great deals at the amazing outlet malls and spending quality time with family.

If you need to pass some time away do activities you know will engage you. Watch a favourite movie if you can, read an engaging book, listen to your iPod or work on your laptop or smart phone. Keep your mind occupied and time will go by fast.

Just make sure this doesn't become a regular habit. Life will pass you if you keep your head buried too long. Remember you are always in control of your time and how you spend it.

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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
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© Emmanuel Lopez 2010

Tip#413: Connect Through A Shared Passion - Going The Distance

During the summer when I was moving for the second time in just 3 months (see tip#400) I was seeing Drew Barrymore's new movie poster all over Toronto. I loved this poster because of the affectionate, fun image of the couple. I later discovered that Drew was in a relationship with her co-star Justin Long when they filmed this movie. Their real affection showed on the poster.

When I finally saw her movie Going the Distance I was happy to see that their real-life chemistry was also captured in the film. In fact all the characters seemed so real and so likeable. I read that there was a lot of improvisation that made the interactions and laughter seem real because they were real. Most of all I loved that the main characters bonded over a love for movies.

Going the Distance 2010

The comedy Going the Distance is about a couple who do their best to have a long distance relationship. Erin (Drew Barrymore) lives in San Francisco and Garrett (Justin Long) lives in New York City where they first meet.

The night they meet they return to Garrett's apartment and are sharing their favourite movies. Garrett is proud to say that he is a big Top Gun movie fan pointing to a poster of Tom Cruise hanging in his room. Erin then shares her favourite, The Shawshank Redemption.

Suddenly Garrett goes silent and there is a dramatic pause. He then recites a line from The Shawshank Redemption imitating Morgan Freeman's character in the film. They both laugh and their eyes connect deeply. You can actually FEEL the moment they connect and fall in love.

Emotional Bonds & Facebook

Connecting over a shared passion or love is a powerful thing. It's an emotional bond that can last a lifetime. I believe this is part of the power of social media like Facebook. People are connecting with others because of their preferences and personal interests. You get to express your "likes" or comments on what other people are posting.

Expressing a passion, a love or personal interest can lead to meaningful relationships both online and in person. Be confident to share what is meaningful to you whenever you can. You may be surprised with how many like-minded people you bond with! Or "love-minded"!

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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
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© Emmanuel Lopez 2010

Tip#412: Synchronicity Stories – The "Write" Direction - Elf

Synchronicity: A meaningful coincidence of two or more events, where something other than the probability of chance is involved.

Since The New York Times did a feature of me and mentioned this blog last month (see tip#404) I have been experiencing a rapid succession of film related synchronicities reminding me to get my first book published. First was Julie & Julia movie that initially inspired me that a blog can be turned into a best-selling novel like Julie Powell's food blog (see tip#404).

Then there was the powerful movie Hereafter (see tip#396) where one of the lead characters follows her passion to write a book about her near death experience. She quickly gets it published by the end of the movie. And recently I got another synchronistic message just from watching a Christmas movie to keeping moving in the "write" direction.

Elf 2003

The movie Elf is about a human being named Buddy (Will Ferrell) who was raised as an elf at the North Pole. One day he takes a journey to New York City to find his real father Walter (James Caan). Walter works as a children's book publisher and is a bit of a Scrooge to everyone around him.

Despite Buddy's eternally childlike enthusiasm and overwhelming playfulness he always maintained his true self. Eventually his father opens his heart to Buddy at the expense of being fired from his job. What is inspiring is that Walter opens up his own publishing company and prints a successful book written by Buddy about his adventures in New York.

Take Action

Once again the synchronicity of seeing this movie when I did was a strong reminder to finish my first book based on this movie blog. I've trained my mindset to recognize these messages from the universe and take immediate action with what I need to do. So for weeks now I've been writing and writing!

Getting a book published has been a big dream of mine since I saw Chris Gardner live in Toronto talk about his book and movie The Pursuit of Happyness 3 years ago. See Tip#40

Sometimes when you have a dream or goal they may be put on hold for one reason or another. So when you receive synchronistic messages remember to trust your gut and take action. Believe in the magic of being guided by the universe towards achieving whatever you desire. Even if it's a small step each day those steps will eventually reach your destination!

More Synchronicity Stories:
Tip#13: Believe In Synchronicity - 4 Movie Tips
Tip#249: Synchronicity Stories – Zoomer Magazine – A Knight's Tale
Tip#261: Synchronicity Stories – Zappos & Twitter – I Heart Huckabees

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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Superhero at Your Service!
Professional Speaker & Movie Blogger
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2010

Tip#411: Be Open To Surprises – Certified Copy (Copie Conforme)

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Jesse Wente, Head of Film Programmes for TIFF Bell Lightbox. The Lightbox is the new headquarters of the Toronto Film Festival here in Toronto with state-of-the-art movie theatres. Wente hosts a monthly program that features a surprise sneak preview of soon-to-be-released titles. This means on a Sunday morning you come to the theatre and discover what you are seeing right then and there. See more: Click here

The surprise film I saw this month was Certified Copy and I was blown away with how much this movie engaged me. It was so thought provoking, original and was a huge mirror for me to examine my own viewpoints on relationships. I believe this was the point of this film as it features many scenes dealing with reflections, mirrors and what is truth in a person's eyes.

The film premiered under the title Copie Conforme at 2010 Cannes Film Festival where Juliette Binoche won Best Actress Award for her performance. And though I saw this movie several days ago I am still pondering the possible realities of what actually happened between the couple in the film.

Certified Copy 2010

The movie Certified Copy is set in Tuscany and is about a French antiques dealer (Juliette Binoche) and her day with a writer James (William Shimell) who just published a book on the value of copies of art. The couple appears to have met for the first time but as the movie progresses their dialogue and actions begin to tell several different stories.

These surprises are what draw you into participating in the story. How you interpret what is going on may be entirely different from someone else. And as the movie discusses (or argues), how you perceive anything in the world has as much value as another person's viewpoint. On top of that what you see may not be the whole story.

There is one scene where you hear a man arguing with someone. The camera pans over to a man with his back to the camera facing a woman. You immediately accept that he is arguing with this woman. The surprise is that when he turns you see that he is arguing with someone on his cell phone hidden in his hand.

Being open to surprises can be eye opening and even fun. They can help you be more adventurous and shake up your mindset. You can discover new, enjoyable experiences you normally wouldn't have tried. All you have to do is keep an open mind to whatever the world is showing you.

FOR MORE ON TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX MOVIE PROGRAMS:
Click here

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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Superhero at Your Service!
Professional Speaker & Movie Blogger
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2010

Tip#410: Maintain Steadfast Friendships - Grown Ups

Steadfast: Fixed or unchanging; steady. Firmly loyal or constant

Adam Sandler's movie Grown Ups is another one of his comedies that was savagely trashed by critics. It's one of the few times I let negative reviews sway me from seeing a film I wanted to see in the theatre. When I finally saw it I was thoroughly surprised to enjoy another Sandler comedy with inspiring messages.

As I wrote in tip#383 we all see life and movies through our own personal lenses so this film meant a little more to me. I just went through an intense life change in which my friendships were tested with some standing by me as I lost my home and belongings (see tip#400). What empowered me further is I have taken some of these friendships to a higher level.

Once a week I have a phone meeting with a friend and health advisor and we coach each other on challenges we've had that week. And three other friends are scheduled every two weeks to do the same in person. Not only do we maintain a steadfast friendship we are helping each other overcome obstacles in our lives and careers.

Grown Ups 2010

The comedy Grown Ups features a group of real-life friends of Adam Sandler that include Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider and Kevin James. They all play childhood friends who were on a basketball team as kids and have come together again as grown ups.

Aside from all the friendly insults they hurl at each other they have maintained their love and support for one another. During one scene Eric (Kevin James) reveals that he has actually having work and financial challenges. Without Eric asking for help his friends immediately came up with a solution to help him build a new, profitable business.

Take time to reflect on your current friendships and recognize if you have steadfast relationships. Make sure there is love and a willingness to help one another during challenging times. Maintain an authentic bond between you and your friends and you can have a support system that can last a lifetime.

SEE MOVIES THAT MOTIVATE LIST A to Z!
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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Superhero at Your Service!
Professional Speaker & Movie Blogger
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2010

Tip#409: Discover A New Movie Hero - Kingdom of Heaven – Director's Cut

With recent overcast days my mood was mirroring the gray days and felt a little lost and unfocused. Even talking to good friends during the day lifted me up only for moments and then I was back down again. It wasn't until I watched a Director's Cut of the film Kingdom of Heaven did I feel empowered again.

When Kingdom of Heaven first came out it received mixed reviews and considered a box office bomb in the US. Director Ridley Scott has since released his intended vision on DVD at over 3 hours, 45 minutes more then the theatrical cut. Some reviewers suggested that it is the most substantial Director's Cut of all time. In my eyes I discovered a new movie hero to motivate me.

Kingdom of Heaven - The Director's Cut 2005

The movie Kingdom of Heavenis set during the Crusades of the 12th century where a village blacksmith named Balian (Orlando Bloom) goes on a journey to Jerusalem. It is a journey for becoming an outstanding knight and leader. When we first meet Balian his spirit has been crushed because of his wife's recent suicide. He slowly transforms into a stronger man after he discovers his father is Baron Godfrey (Liam Neeson).

A dying Godfrey then knights Balian and orders him to serve the King of Jerusalem and protect the helpless. Soon you see noble qualities in Balian and extraordinary leadership qualities. He demonstrates a positive attitude to every situation he faces and shows he is no better than anyone else even when he inherits his father's land and the people who live there. While in battle Balian shows he is a skilled strategist and swordsman.

Seeing the Director's Cut of this film transformed my gray day. It lifted my spirits as the movie hero did with those around him. Somehow seeing the hero and his good deeds inspired me to be the best I could be. Once again the magic of cinema transformed my attitude and energy.

Be Inspired

If you are feeling low energy or a little lost seek out a new hero to be inspired by. Read the daily news and find stories of people doing extraordinary deeds. Find a novel with a hero that inspires you to be a stronger leader in your own life, career or workplace.

And, of course, you can discover a new movie hero to be your cinematic role model. Let your intention to be inspired guide you to the perfect movie to watch that features your new example. There are so many movie heroes waiting for you to discover them right now!

SEE MOVIES THAT MOTIVATE LIST A to Z!
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I've written for them: Click here

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Superhero at Your Service!
Professional Speaker & Movie Blogger
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2010