Tip#1036: Your Thoughts Have So Much Power, Part 4 – Anxiety - The Space Between Us

Anxiety: a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

This has been a productive week despite dealing with anxieties from unexpected challenges at work. I was able to take a big step forward with letting go of my artworks stored at home (see tip#1035) by photographing the 30 pieces as a record and a way for others to see them. I’ve also been decluttering and donating clothes and items to thrift stores. It felt great to let go and think that my stuff could benefit someone else!

As for dealing with anxiety and “catastrophic thinking” (see tip#1027) I was able to step away from my problems thanks to my coping strategies: deep breathes, meditations, affirmations, mirror exercises and long walks in sunshine and fresh air all to clear my head and ruminating negative thoughts. It helped me become aware that my challenges were manageable while reminding myself that I’ve dealt with far worst situations and always came through with flying colours!

These experiences always amaze me how powerful are thoughts can be whether they are positive or negative. And it also feels fantastic when I discover a film that not only calms my mind but also re-energizes my spirit. Here’s one that worked wonders for me!



The Space Between Us (2017)

The romantic science fiction film, The Space Between Us, is about Gardner Elliot (Asa Butterfield), the first human born on Mars, traveling Earth for the first time. This sweet, uplifting story features gorgeous scenery throughout the US and engaging performances by Butterfield and Britt Robertson, Gary Oldman and Carla Gugino. See: movie trailer

Seeing life on Earth through the eyes of Elliot helped transform my negative feelings and thoughts from anxiety. He was only focused on the joy and beauty of his surroundings, the beauty of Tulsa (Brit Robertson) and even asked strangers he met this question, “What’s your favourite thing about Earth?”

I discovered after seeing this film that the director, Peter Chelsom, had directed several favourite movies of mine like Hector and the Search for Happiness (see tip#792) and Serendipity (see tip#311). Now I know his work can be a go-to resource whenever I need to get re-energized! It was amazing how calm and good I felt by the end of this movie.

Always remember the transformative power of movies whenever you are dealing with anxiety, stress or any other situations that cause your thoughts to ruminate negatively. Films can be a go-to resource to help you cope and clear your head from the challenges in life and at work. Treat yourself today to soothing cinema!

Recommended article: The Anxiety Survival Guide

Related Tips:
Tip#332: Your Thoughts Have So Much Power – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Tip#1002: Your Thoughts Have So Much Power, Part 2 – Doctor Strange
Tip#1027: Your Thoughts Have So Much Power, Part 3 – Catastrophic Thinking - Split
Tip#1036: Your Thoughts Have So Much Power, Part 4 – Anxiety - The Space Between Us
Tip#913: The Silver Lining of Anxiety - The Good Dinosaur
Tip#971: How Movies Mirror Your Inner Strengths, Part 4 – PTSD – Iron Man 3



NEED SOME CHEERING UP?
SEE NOW: The Best Uplifting Movie Montage with a song written & performed by Emmanuel Lopez!

LISTEN TO EMMANUEL’S CBC RADIO INTERVIEW on
MOVIE MESSAGES OF HOPE: The Fresh Air Show

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



Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
The Movies-For-Motivation Speaker
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience & Indestructible Optimism
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2017

Tip#1035: How Movies Inspire Creativity, Part 2, Sing Street

Since recovering from the “spiritual flu” (see tip#1033), I have started decluttering my home which uncovered some very old, unresolved fears. These fears involve the letting go of my original artworks from multiple art exhibits and all the way back to art college and high school. I believe this could be a psychological focal point that I now have the opportunity to resolve so other areas in my life, mental health and career can finally movie forward!

I am excited about this opportunity and feel more confident then ever to face this fear of letting go! I also believe this awareness is the result of my recent two week, cleansing, spiritual flu which in turn was the result of the powerful 2nd session I had with Rhythmical Massage Therapy (see tip#1029). I highly recommend this alternative healing method for releasing old, trapped emotions in the body. See: Rhythmical Massage Therapy by Elias Abdel Ahad.

My attention to my artworks also made me see a pattern of not letting go of other creative works such as my music and song recordings. I actually faced this fear back in October 2016 when I finally released one of my favourite and personal songs called “In the Film” (see tip#1000). I wrote and recorded it 25 years ago and edited a music video for the song so I could finally let go and share it with the world. It felt great to finally release the song and can feel my other unreleased songs will eventually touch the hearts of people everywhere! See: In the Film music video

"In the Film" song written & performed by Emmanuel Lopez

Sing Street (2016)

The musical coming-of-age comedy-drama film, Sing Street, is about a Dublin teenager Conor "Cosmo" (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) in the 80’s who forms a rock 'n' roll band to win the heart of aspiring model Raphina (Lucy Boynton). This is such a feel-good film filled with catchy original songs and classic 80’s music and fun, quirky characters and performances by the leads as well as Jack Reynor as Conor’s brother Brendan and Mark McKenna as Conor’s writing partner Eamon. See: movie trailer

There is so much to love about this film! If you love 80’s music you will automatically love this movie. And if you have a dream to express yourself through music then this will inspire you to follow your desire. The film really explores Conor’s creative drive to express his love for Raphina through song. Plus his transformation, both visually and musically, is very inspirational to witness!

Inspiring Themes:
• Having a Vision
• Courage
• Following a Passion
• Perseverance
• Resilience
• Indestructible Optimism
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Supportive Relationships
• Developing Creative Talents

I don’t know why I waited so long to see this fantastic film and yet the timing was once again highly synchronistic with my current re-evaluation of my life and career and the decluttering of my home and inner fears. It’s movies like this that make learning about myself more fun than it being painful and I hope this film does the same for you!

Movies about art, music or writing can inspire you to unleash your own creative drive, talents and gifts. They can also inspire you to let go of thoughts or feelings trapped inside or holding you back. And remember it takes courage and perseverance to either express yourself creatively or to let go of your creations into the world. Find your courage today!

Related Tips:
Tip#168: Just Express Yourself - Be Kind Rewind
Related Tips:
Tip#950: How Movies Inspire Creativity – Prince - Purple Rain
Tip#1035: How Movies Inspire Creativity, Part 2, Sing Street 
Tip#1060: How Movies Inspire Creativity, Part 3 - TIFF17 – Unicorn Store



NEED SOME CHEERING UP?
SEE NOW: The Best Uplifting Movie Montage with a song written & performed by Emmanuel Lopez!

LISTEN TO EMMANUEL’S CBC RADIO INTERVIEW on
MOVIE MESSAGES OF HOPE: The Fresh Air Show

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



Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
The Movies-For-Motivation Speaker
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience & Indestructible Optimism
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2017

Tip#1034: Your Power to Heal, Part 2 – Logan

It’s been over two weeks with the flu and am finally feeling my strength returning. I really had to take the time to rest. During this time I believe I’ve been going through what’s called “spiritual flu” where my body has been clearing and purging itself of toxins, old fears and other stuck emotions. Here’s a link to more info I discovered after meditation for guidance: The Spiritual Flu by Mellissa Seaman

During the past two weeks I also felt a disconnection to my purpose, drive and writing this blog. That feeling is like my body and mind being offline while my internal operating system is getting an upgrade just like a computer. I currently feel like an empty cup again (see Tip#152)!

And once again I synchronistically saw a movie that seemed to mirror and speak to me deeply about the healing I am going through. And to my surprise it actually connects directly to part 1 of this blog title, “Your Power to Heal”!



Logan (2017)

The superhero, action, drama film, Logan, continues the story of X-Men’s Logan/Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) now older in a bleak future on one final mission with an ailing Professor X/Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and an 11 year old mutant named Laura/X23 (Dafne Keen). This brutal and emotional chapter is filled with exciting action scenes and touching moments especially for fans of these X-Men characters. See: movie trailer 

The dark vision of this film was actually painful to watch at first because I was seeing powerful characters I’ve loved for years now suffering from old age and a breakdown of their superpowers. A frail Xavier now has an uncontrollable, destructive mental condition while Logan’s cellular rejuvenation powers are slowly dying. All this seemed to mirror what I was feeling during the delirious condition of my flu.

Despite these personal challenges of these heroes they persevere and stay resilient to help Laura escape the villains trying to capture her. Laura not only stands out as a new, ferocious young superhero but also paves the way for a positive future of X-Men movies. In the end this film inspired me to trust in my own healing powers and that no matter what changes I need to make in my life and work that all will be brightly optimistic despite being in my 50’s. As Xavier says in the film to Logan...  

“You still have time.” 

If you are dealing with an illness whether it’s mental, physical or emotional then trust in your power to heal. Trust your inner voice, in professional healthcare services as well as alternative healing practices you feel drawn to. Your body is an amazing gift as long as you remember to love yourself and trust in the time needed to feel empowered again!

Related Tips:
Tip#677: Your Power to Heal – The Wolverine 
Tip#1034: Your Power to Heal, Part 2 – Logan
Tip#152: Be An Empty Cup - Peaceful Warrior - The Forbidden Kingdom



NEED SOME CHEERING UP?
SEE NOW: The Best Uplifting Movie Montage with a song written & performed by Emmanuel Lopez!

LISTEN TO EMMANUEL’S CBC RADIO INTERVIEW on
MOVIE MESSAGES OF HOPE: The Fresh Air Show 

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



Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
The Movies-For-Motivation Speaker
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience & Indestructible Optimism
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2017

Tip#1033: Grace Under Pressure - 89th Academy Awards - Jordan Horowitz, La La Land Producer

This has been a rough week as I’d been sick in bed with the flu. It hit me out of the blue and unfortunately I didn’t have the strength to write this blog. Thankfully I am feeling better after a lot of rest and dedicated remedies for recovery.

The day prior to getting the flu I had a very enjoyable interview by Positive Practitioner Sandra Centorino on her Sandra Centorino Live Show. WINTER BLUES, DEPRESSION, MOVIES & INDESTRUCTIBLE OPTIMISM were the themes discussed and here are highlights with time codes if you want to jump to these parts: See interview

• Introduction 3:00
• How movies saved my life 6:00
• Growing up 10:00
• Being diagnosed with clinical depression 16:00
• Creative Coping Strategies (exercise, nutrition, cooking) 20:00
• How the mind can fool you 34:00
• What depression looks like, Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban 36:00
• Groundhog Day movie inspires 39:00
• Creative coping strategy: Emmanuel created a movie montage & original song to cope with depression 45:00
• La La Land movie inspires 54:00

Oscars 2017

On February 26th, the night of the Oscars, I just wanted to curl up in bed but felt compelled to watch the entire show right until the very end. I am so glad I found the strength because it was the most shocking, surreal moment in Oscar history! I, along with the rest of the world, watched as La La Land was awarded Best Picture but then suddenly having to hand it over to Moonlight. See: entire scene

It was a fiasco with host Jimmy Kimmel, award presenter Warren Beatty and the cast and producers of La La Land inter-mixing with the stunned cast and producers of Moonlight on stage. And yet what emerged was the extraordinary grace under pressure and leadership that La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz demonstrated as he immediately took charge on stage. See video: Jordan Horowitz talks

I wasn’t sure who he was at the time but I just knew Horowitz was a shining light amongst the chaos during live TV. He exuded a commanding presence and was clearly the silver lining of this confusing situation. Horowitz had said he was friends with the producers of Moonlight and just wanted to give them their moment.

His strength and luminous integrity showed that Hollywood was a loving, supportive community of one another. This attitude was also reflected throughout the Oscars show and it would leave me inspired for days after the show.

And on that positive thought I am returning to bed and continue to rest up. I hope that this story of grace under pressure inspires you in some way today!

NEED SOME CHEERING UP?
SEE NOW: The Best Uplifting Movie Montage with a song written & performed by Emmanuel Lopez!

LISTEN TO EMMANUEL’S CBC RADIO INTERVIEW on
MOVIE MESSAGES OF HOPE: The Fresh Air Show

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



Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
The Movies-For-Motivation Speaker
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience & Indestructible Optimism
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2017