Today is Easter Sunday and Day 28 of the COVID-19 quarantine/social distancing/self-isolation here in Toronto, Canada. It’s a very different Easter weekend for every one around the world who are learning to cope with this new pandemic lifestyle. This is an area that I am so grateful I was initially thrown into learning over several years because of the life and mental health challenges I faced.
It was also April 9th recently and that marked the 10 year anniversary of one of the most painful decisions I ever had to make. It was the day I filed for bankruptcy and forced into a life change that was frightening. I lost my business, my home and most of my belongings. It was a dark tunnel I had no idea on when it would end which I know is a feeling many people are facing right now with this global pandemic.
And yet one of two silver linings of my experience was it led me to being diagnosed with two mental illnesses that caused my life and work to collapse. The second was that I discovered critical tools and methods that helped prepare me body, mind and spirit for coping with an unknown future. I was able to rewire my brain to cultivate a positive mindset. I was able to keep feeling light. And now, more than ever, I can help others develop their own resilience, perseverance and indestructible optimism.
One of these methods is my tried and true use of cinema as empowering, inspirational learning tools. Here are six films I watched during my quarantine that I highly recommend you see to re-vitalize your positivity:
• Bicentennial Man (1999)
• Open Range (2003)
• The Quick and the Dead (1995)
• The Ten Commandments (1956)
• The Terminal (2004)
• Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Bicentennial Man (1999)
Resilience: Andrew (Robin Williams) was a robot that stayed strong over 200 years in his quest to become more human.
Perseverance: Andrew never gave up his quest and always found humans along his long path who were happy to help him.
Optimism: Andrew always sought out solutions to his problems rather then dwell on the negatives.
Watch/rent or buy now: Amazon Prime Video
Open Range (2003)
Resilience: Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall) and Charley Waite (Kevin Costner) are two cattlemen in 1882 who fearlessly faced their enemies.
Perseverance: Boss and Charley never give up on their quest for justice.
Optimism: Boss and Charely consistently demonstrated a positive mindset and excellent leadership and teamwork skills.
Watch/rent or buy now: Amazon Prime Video
The Quick and the Dead (1995)
Resilience: Ellen (Sharon Stone) is a lone gunslinger in 1881 who survives childhood trauma and remains strong to accomplish an important goal.
Perseverance: Ellen never gave up on her goal except for one time where someone helps her back on her mission, a reminder that we are never alone in dark times.
Optimism: Despite some moments where Ellen loses her confidence she remains optimistic in freeing herself from her childhood trauma.
Watch/rent or buy now: Amazon Prime Video
The Ten Commandments (1956)
Resilience: Moses (Charlton Heston) demonstrates incredible inner strength in every painful life change he faced.
Perseverance: Moses never gave up even when his adversities seemed overwhelming or impossible to overcome.
Optimism: Moses had such a deep sense of belief and faith in something he couldn’t see that fueled his positivity and confidence.
Watch/rent or buy now: Amazon Prime Video
The Terminal (2004)
Resilience: Viktor Navorski (Tom Hanks) is forced to live at an airport (based on a true story).
Perseverance: Viktor never gave up and every day filled out permission forms for release because he believed one day he would be able to leave.
Optimism: Viktor learned how to eat and live life day by day using whatever he found around him.
Watch/rent or buy now: Amazon Prime Video
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Resilience: Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is able to escape the many traps he finds himself in while saving his entire race facing extinction.
Perseverance: Thor never gave up and always found a way through adversities with the help of the people around him.
Optimism: All the film characters demonstrate a lot of humour which is a key factor for you to remember to laugh, feel lighter and see the silver lining of the dark clouds you face.
Watch/rent or buy now: Amazon Prime Video
These are just some of the movies I’ve seen many times before and a reminder to you that repetition is an important factor for rewiring your mind for new habits of positive thinking. Witnessing how movie heroes deal with problems can empower us to be more aware, more conscious what we can do in our own lives.
When we feel forced into a painful life change it can seem hopeless, stressful and heavy with anxiety. And yet these times are the golden opportunities to rewire our brains for positive thinking. This is the perfect time to feed our minds using the recipe for resilience, perseverance and indestructible optimism. That recipe includes cinema as a primary ingredient! Find a film today to help lighten your mind and guide you to a brighter tomorrow!
For more of my uplifting movie tips: www.MoviesForMotivation.com
Related Tips:
Tip#200: How To Build Indestructible Optimism - Top 9 Movie Tips
SEE EMMANUEL's:
• Top Movies as Inspirational Learning Tools: www.Movies for Motivation.com
• Award-winning Illustrations: www.EmmanuelLopez.com
Remember How Movies Can Help You:
A) Entertain & Escape
B) Re-energize & Release
C) Inspiration & Motivation
Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Award-winning Illustrator | Movie Blogger | Speaker | Foodie
Discover Movies As Inspirational Learning Tools!
See website: www.MoviesForMotivation.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2020
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