Sunday, February 24, 2019

Tip#1134: Believe In Synchronicity, Pt.7 - Amadeus – The Umbrella Academy – Star Trek: Discovery


Synchronicity: 
Defined as a meaningful coincidence of two or more events, where something other than the probability of chance is involved 

Coincidence: 
“Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous.” Albert Einstein 

PART 1:

This has been an astounding two weeks of personal growth for me! I’ve received promising answers to the cause of my experiences with chronic depression. It began with a new series of healing touch bodywork I received as a gift that led to epiphanies in my new group therapy program about repressed anger I’ve had since I was a kid.

This later triggered a flood of memories throughout the decades of moments where I couldn’t feel anger when that was the most appropriate emotion to feel and express. Just like in the animated Pixar film, Inside Out (see Tip#863), I was being reminded that anger is a vital and healthy emotion to express. Repressing or suppressing it does long term damage in body, mind and spirit. Ironically all of these epiphanies happened on Valentine’s Day.

PART 2:
The Umbrella Academy (2019)

That following weekend I was invited to binge watch 10 hours of 10 episodes of the new Netflix series The Umbrella Academy. I was invited by my friend, Derek Lang, who worked on the show and I was deeply affected by the storyline of the character Vanya played by Canadian actress Ellen Page. It was profoundly synchronistic to my repressed anger discovery.

SPOILER ALERT!!!
All her life, Vanya believed she was ordinary while her brothers and sister exhibited extraordinary super powers. This led to a reclusive and depressed life. But then she later discovers in the 8th episode “I Heard A Rumor” that the idea of being “normal” was implanted in her thoughts at a young child. This was done without her knowledge or permission. Seeing this scene hit me hard. It was devastating to watch.

“Depression is anger turned inward.” 
Sigmund Freud 

During the next group therapy session I brought up this show and the implanted thought scene and I started to get emotional and finally broke down crying. I soon realized that a similar destructive thought was implanted in my own brain without my permission as a child. I believe something like Vanya’s situation has been the cause of life long fears I’ve had all my life and career. Thankfully, at the same time I knew I had a breakthrough psychologically. I was encouraged to embrace this as a huge step forward in my self-empowerment.

PART 3:
Star Trek: Discovery, 2nd Season

My unexpected epiphanies triggered from The Umbrella Academy continued a few days later with the latest episode of Star Trek: Discovery called “The Sounds of Thunder”. The synchronicity was so mind blowing I was in awe! In the story, the alien character Saru (Doug Jones) had recently been freed of lifelong fears due to a painful, biological change in his body. To his amazement Saru now feels more confidence, courage and assertive power. He also expresses his anger that the implanted feeling of fear in his species by another species was all a lie and was meant to repress their true inner strengths and abilities.

I almost couldn’t believe the coincidence of what I was seeing with Saru’s story! It was a huge mirror to what I was going through. The added irony included recognizing my friend and actress, Avaah Blackwell, in brief moments on the bridge of the USS Discovery. She plays a reoccurring alien character named Osnullus unrecognizable because of a large orange brown alien head. But I spotted her standing right behind Saru on the bridge (see photo)!

 
Emmanuel Lopez and actress Avaah Blackwell

PART 4:
Amadeus (1986) Live in Concert 

The night before I saw this Star Trek episode I was with Avaah attending the film presentation of Amadeus with a live orchestra and choir at The Sony Centre. This is my second time seeing Amadeus at this venue (see Tip#1001) and I intuitively felt I needed to share the unique experience with Avaah. We discussed my recent epiphanies and she was so supportive and encouraging. She reminded me that I was going through a positive transformation and that triggered some shining optimism within me. We then enjoyed the show as the orchestra filled the theatre with the majestic music of Mozart!

As always, I received a meaningful message that was perfect for this exact moment in my life. I was struck by Mozart’s fearlessness in expressing his passion and enthusiasm for his music and life. And despite how negatively some people saw him this was a mirror and reminder for me to feel safe enough to express any emotion, like anger, and not suppress it! Mozart, played by Tom Hulce, was now my latest cinematic role model for being my authentic self and to fearlessly express my passion, enthusiasm and repressed emotions like anger.

So I am fully embracing this current part of my journey and transformation. And perhaps all these synchronicities were gifts from God who wants to remain anonymous! All I truly know is I’m very happy to give thanks to him as well as Vanya, Saru, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Avaah aka Osnullus for inspiring my courage to express myself and write this extra personal blog entry! Thank you all!

Sometimes coincidences are just coincidences. And sometimes they are so profoundly meaningful that they fall under the category of synchronicities or gifts from the universe guiding us through the darkness. Whatever these signs are if you choose to believe in synchronicities the answers you deeply pray for will arrive in magical ways and accelerate your self-empowerment even faster!

Related Tips:
Tip#1069: Believe In Synchronicity, Pt.6 – Evan Almighty - Dragonfly




SEE:
• Top Movie Picks for Inspirational Learning Tools: www.Movies for Motivation.com
• Emmanuel's Award-winning Illustrations: www.EmmanuelLopez.com
• Emmanuel's Social Media Consulting Services: www.SocialMediaWingman.com

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

 http://bit.ly/cj7UIphttp://www.pinterest.com/motivatorman1/http://bit.ly/9Je5dhhttp://bit.ly/djk9Yjhttp://bit.ly/bUSAy0

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Award-winning Illustrator | Movie Blogger | Speaker | Foodie
Discover Movies As Inspirational Learning Tools!
See website: www.MoviesForMotivation.com
 
© Emmanuel Lopez 2019

Sunday, February 17, 2019

Tip#1133: Discover Your Cinematic Role Models, Part 5 - Alita: Battle Angel

I’ve recently been undergoing new therapies to target chronic blocks I want to clear once and for all regarding my mental health, career and personal relationships. I just know that all the peeling back of layers over the years has already been getting to core issues. All I want is to fully feel the confidence and inner strengths I know are inside me. I want to be free of doubt and be brimming with a kind of fierceness I felt years ago!

As I currently deal my other challenge of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), this winter depression feels like it’s my annual kryptonite that robs me of my superhero powers, energy and focus during these long cold months. That’s why I get charged up when I see movies that feature superheroes or characters that demonstrate amazing courage and confidence in facing their challenges.

And when I see film characters that are physically small but able to face and challenge larger opponents it really feels inspiring! They become mirrors and cinematic role models for me to face my own obstacles no matter how immense and hopeless they seem!

Alita: Battle Angel (2019)

The fantasy, cyberpunk action film, Alita: Battle Angel, is about a deactivated female cyborg named Alita (Rosa Salazar) who is revived and goes on a quest to find out who she is. This action packed epic is brimming with exciting, futuristic visuals, battle scenes and mesmerizing motion capture CGI developed by James Cameron of Avatar fame. Supporting roles feature Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Connelly and Mahershala Ali.
See: movie trailer
Watch now: Amazon Prime

I was immediately struck by how small Alita was in stature but then she demonstrated incredible fierceness when confronting danger or threats. Her impressive fighting skills in battle scenes were full of confidence which were built within her. She acted automatically despite her not knowing who she was or her purpose. But with each new day she unraveled her true self and soon her confidence, tenacity and fierceness amplified greatly.

Within the backdrop of thrilling SCI FI fantasy visuals, I was inspired by Alita to continue unravelling my own built in memories of my own dormant confidence, gifts and strengths. I’m allowing her character be my latest cinematic role model for perseverance, resilience, passion and indestructible optimism. And also to feel a sense of fun along the way!

Movie heroes can help mirror the inner strengths we wished we had within ourselves. And when we catch glimpses of these strengths we realize they were inside us all along. Cinematic role models can inspire us to visualize the exciting possibilities as long as we also believe in our potential. So believe in your own shining potential today!

Related Tips:
Tip#1116: Discover Your Cinematic Role Models, Part 3 - Casino Royale

SEE:
• Top Movie Picks for Inspirational Learning Tools: www.Movies for Motivation.com
• Emmanuel's Award-winning Illustrations: www.EmmanuelLopez.com
• Emmanuel's Social Media Consulting Services: www.SocialMediaWingman.com

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

 http://bit.ly/cj7UIphttp://www.pinterest.com/motivatorman1/http://bit.ly/9Je5dhhttp://bit.ly/djk9Yjhttp://bit.ly/bUSAy0

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Award-winning Illustrator | Movie Blogger | Speaker | Foodie
Discover Movies As Inspirational Learning Tools!
See website: www.MoviesForMotivation.com
 
© Emmanuel Lopez 2019

Sunday, February 10, 2019

Tip#1132: Expand Your Mind with Time Travel Movies, Pt 4 – Time Trap – From Time To Time

I recently saw Star Wars: Episode IV, A New Hope, live in concert with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at the glorious Roy Thomson Hall! It was the first time seeing it on the big screen in decades and I immediately time traveled back to 1977 when I was in my early teens and seeing it for the first time at Fairview Mall movie theatres in the Toronto suburbs. It was a life changing moment seeing that giant Star Destroyer ship fill the screen in the opening scene!

The majestic music of John Williams and the exciting Sci Fi visuals instantly brought me back to exhilarating memories of how this film activated my imagination and my desire to illustrate the epic space battles with pen and paper. And though there aren’t any time travel concepts in Star Wars it made me think of how much I loved time travel stories. It made me think, what if I did travel back to my teens through my thoughts and feelings?

I also love connecting with other time travel fans like writer, producer Garry Murdock who I first met when he worked on the Pre-Shows at Cineplex Entertainment. When we discovered our shared passion for time travel movies we instantly geeked out over our favourite films! Check out his time travel website and blog: The Time Portal

One of the hidden gems I shared with Garry was called Time Trap and I’m finally blogging about it here along with another hidden gem called From Time to Time.

Time Trap (2017)

The science fiction adventure film, Time Trap, is about a group of students looking for their missing professor (Andrew Wilson) and are trapped inside a mysterious cave where time passes differently than on the surface. This highly entertaining movie also stars Cassidy Gifford, Brianne Howey, Reiley McClendon, Olivia Draguicevich and Max Wright.
See: movie trailer
Watch now: Amazon Prime

I’ve seen a lot of time travel films and so I was so surprised at the unexpected concepts this film introduces along its story. The cast was fun and there were moments that actually left me in awe! It’s best you don’t know any more details or watch the trailer. I highly recommend you just watch this! I really hope they make a sequel to this.

From Time to Time (2009)

The fantasy drama film, From Time to Time, takes place during the last days of the Second World War and is about 13-year-old Tolly (Alex Etel) magically transported back in time, appearing as a ghost to his ancestors and helping to solve an age-old mystery. This entertaining story also stars Maggie Smith, Timothy Spall, Carice van Houten, Eliza Bennett, Dominic West and Hugh Bonneville.
See: movie trailer
Watch now: Amazon Prime


I loved how this film immersed me into two different time periods between 1944 and the 19th century where the young hero needed to solve a mystery. And as a ghost story there were a few frightening moments! There are also many inspiring life lesson examples of courage, perseverance, resilience, friendship and indestructible optimism!

Time travel stories can be inspiring for activating the imagination and exploring new ways of solving problems from new perspectives. It’s like the phrase “thinking outside the box” but more like “thinking outside of time”! Find a time travel movie today that helps inspire you to ask “What if?” and look at your problems from a whole new direction!

Related Tips:
Tip#506: Time Travel & Alternate Reality Movies – 4 Hidden Gems 
Tip#590: Expand Your Mind with Time Travel Movies, Pt 1 – The Time Traveler’s Wife 




SEE:
• Top Movie Picks for Inspirational Learning Tools: www.Movies for Motivation.com
• Emmanuel's Award-winning Illustrations: www.EmmanuelLopez.com
• Emmanuel's Social Media Consulting Services: www.SocialMediaWingman.com

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

 http://bit.ly/cj7UIphttp://www.pinterest.com/motivatorman1/http://bit.ly/9Je5dhhttp://bit.ly/djk9Yjhttp://bit.ly/bUSAy0

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Award-winning Illustrator | Movie Blogger | Speaker | Foodie
Discover Movies As Inspirational Learning Tools!
See website: www.MoviesForMotivation.com
 
© Emmanuel Lopez 2019

Sunday, February 03, 2019

Tip#1131: Resilience Resources, Part 25 – Mortal Engines


Recently, when I was feeling well with no symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), I went to Toronto’s biggest Value Village Thrift Store and found some awesome treasures! I got these specific bowls and mugs because I loved the bright colours and design. The smaller bowl also had uplifting statements all around and inside as well.

Two days later I relapsed with severe SAD symptoms. But the bright orange of the coffee mugs, the beautiful ornate design of the soup bowls and the positive statements of the small white bowel brought my brain some precious joy in my darkness. Just looking at them fed my mind with positive thoughts and boosted positive feelings.

My brain and mood also gets stimulated when I see exciting and visually rich scenery and costumes in movies. In my research on possible triggers of SAD found that our eyes need to feel and take in the rays of sunshine or the 10,000 lux light of light therapy. The reason is explored in this article excerpt…

Normally, light penetrates the eye and is captured by the retina, which then transforms light energy into electric energy. The optic nerve transmits this energy to the brain where it is interpreted as images. Electrical signals produced by the retina also influence the chemical messengers in the brain called neurotransmitters, such as the mood regulating serotonin, and melatonin, which regulates daily cycles of wakening and sleep. It is at this level that light therapy proves beneficial. 

Read more: “Retina may be the culprit in seasonal depression”

In my case I just know my positivity, moods and resilience are greatly improved through cinema therapy along with sunshine light therapy. Through my eyes I can feed my brain with stimulating and colourful scenes of a film. Here is a recent example.

Mortal Engines (2018)

The action adventure fantasy film, Mortal Engines, is set in a post-apocalyptic world where entire cities, like London, have been mounted on massive wheels and prey on one another. A mysterious young woman, Hester Shaw (Hera Hilmar), has the key to stop the evil Thaddeus Valentine (Hugo Weaving) from destroying other cities. She is helped by Tom Natsworthy (Robert Sheehan), an outcast from London, along with outlaw Anna Fang (Jihae). This visually stunning movie also stars Leila George and Stephen Lang.
See: movie teaser
Watch now: Amazon Prime

This film has been described as a steampunk Star Wars or what happens when Star Wars and Mad Max had a child! It’s also considered a box office bomb. And yet I found it to be a fantastic resource for stimulating my ocular joy! My eyes just ate up all the glorious scenery in this finely detailed fantasy world.

I was also inspired by seeing many visible minorities in the cast in the second half of the film. The character of Anna Fang immediately establishes herself as an exciting kick-ass Asian hero! There is also an unexpected story I loved about Shrike (Stephen Lang) a robotic soldier. So despite what critics wrote about this movie I found it of great value and it kept me energized through a health challenge.

The right movie can be a valuable resource for resilience in difficult, dark times of your life. They can feature visuals that can feed your positive thoughts and feelings when you need it most. Find a film today that your eyes can soak up and help you feel empowered and re-energized to persevere!

Related Tips:
Tip#1105: Resilience Resources, Part 24 – Mission: Impossible - Fallout



SEE:
• Top Movie Picks for Inspirational Learning Tools: www.Movies for Motivation.com
• Emmanuel's Award-winning Illustrations: www.EmmanuelLopez.com
• Emmanuel's Social Media Consulting Services: www.SocialMediaWingman.com

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

 http://bit.ly/cj7UIphttp://www.pinterest.com/motivatorman1/http://bit.ly/9Je5dhhttp://bit.ly/djk9Yjhttp://bit.ly/bUSAy0

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Award-winning Illustrator | Movie Blogger | Speaker | Foodie
Discover Movies As Inspirational Learning Tools!
See website: www.MoviesForMotivation.com
 
© Emmanuel Lopez 2019