Tip#924: Choose A Path, Part 2 - Pleasure Activities - Brooklyn

Upon flying home from my Las Vegas holiday trip a week ago I was jet lagged which put off my mental state for a few days. Unfortunately it then led to a lapse into depression symptoms. I experienced a loss of concentration, feelings of hopelessness and extreme heaviness in my arms and legs. It felt like being slowly embraced by the Dementors in the Harry Potter movies. Author J.K. Rowling actually created these dark creatures based on her own experience with depression.

When I realized I had slipped into a dark state I remembered my own tools for refocusing a positive mindset that is also similar to what I learned from the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) programs I completed (see tip#863). Engaging in pleasure activities or passions is the first step. For me taking soothing hot showers and enjoying the taste of favourite foods or drink are powerful, uplifting stimulus.

Movies, of course, are another pleasure activity on my list of re-energizing, refocusing tools. This led me to a wonderful film called Brooklyn that allowed me to escape into a beautiful cinematic world for a few hours.

Brooklyn (2015)

The period drama, Brooklyn, is about the journey of an Irish immigrant named Eilis (Saoirse Ronan) who lands in 1950’s Brooklyn. She finds a new life and a romance there but eventually must choose between that life and an unexpected new one back in Ireland. This visually attractive film has wonderful performances by all its cast that includes Ronan, Emory Cohen, Julie Walters and Jim Broadbent. See: movie trailer

The movie hero Eilis demonstrates the many aspects of taking a frightening journey by yourself: loneliness, fear of the unknown, homesickness and finding support along the way. She was also inspiring in her resilience and inner strength to make important choices that would change the course of her life and those closest to her.

Inspiring Themes:
• Resilience
• Courage
• Adaptability
• Facing fear of the unknown
• Supportive Relationships

The authentic 50’s feel of Ireland and Brooklyn helped me be immersed in this fictional film world for a while. And I was able to do this because I remembered to choose this path of a pleasure activity rather then to sink deeper into a depressed state. This comes from training your mind to remember key steps that can help you move forward.

Choosing paths in life or for work can sometimes be a challenge. And when you get stuck remember your pleasure activities can help clear your mind. Remember there are movies you can watch that can take you away for a while. This can help open your thoughts to receive answers or inspiration from the movie heroes. These characters will remind you that you are never alone on your journey!

Related Tips:
Tip#84: Choose A Path, Part 1 - The Matrix
Tip#924: Choose A Path, Part 2 - Brooklyn

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Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape 
B) Re-energize & Release 
C) Inspiration & Motivation 



Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker & Movie Blogger
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience & Indestructible Optimism
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2016