Movies That Motivate | The Adventures of Motivatorman!: December 2020

Sunday, December 27, 2020

Tip#1228: The Recipe For Resilience, Perseverance & Indestructible Optimism, Part 34 – Soul

This is Day 285 of the COVID-19 pandemic here in Toronto, Canada.

This Christmas week I was alone and in isolation from my family and friends and it could have been devastating and depressing. Thankfully I had a surplus of positive emotional energy! It was the simple joys of delicious food gifts I received and knowing I was loved and supported by these same family and friends. And, of course, my years of positive mindset training helped me stay resilient!

I really missed being with my mom and in the warmer, sunnier climate of my annual vacation in Las Vegas but so far I am coping well. My little Charlie Brown Christmas tree has been providing a lot of joy! And I’ve been enjoying fantastic foods my siblings dropped off like succulent Prime Rib Au Jus, Yorkshire Pudding, Juicy Turkey (with all the fixings), Black Forrest Chocolate Cake, Spiked Egg Nog and much more! Plus I am brimming with homemade baked treats like Butter Bourbon Rice Krispy treats and lots of chocolates to re-energize my spirit!

I also made a warm potato salad with fresh dill for my siblings from a delicious recipe by famous French Chef, Jacques Pepin with what he calls his tasty mayo-grette!

Watching favourite Christmas movies also kept me optimistic like the colorized version of It’s a Wonderful Life and the hidden gem Love the Coopers. And on Christmas Day I saw a new Pixar movie that would also inspire me to look forward to an exciting New Year. You could say this film definitely touched my “soul”!

Soul (2020)

The computer-animated fantasy comedy-drama film, Soul, is about a New York City middle school music teacher named Joe Gardner (Jamie Foxx) seeking to reunite his soul and his body after they are accidentally separated just before his big break as a jazz musician. This absolutely stunning movie is overflowing with fantastic visuals and wonderful music along with many thought-provoking messages. Other voice talents include Tina Fey, Questlove, Phylicia Rashad, Daveed Diggs, Richard Ayoade and Angela Bassett.
Watch: movie trailer
Watch/Rent or Buy now:

This was a truly epic, original, cinematic journey into a very deep topic of life after and before death. Some of these after/before life visuals are so breathtaking abstract and audacious and they also provide deep insights and life lessons about feeling lost and depressed in life. The film really explores what it is to not feel valued or not know what our purpose and passions are for living. It’s best not to know anymore and trust that this film will touch your heart and, of course, your soul! Pixar is famous for doing this in all their movies.

Despite the long, difficult times of this global pandemic that we are all experiencing, there is also the hope and gifts of love and support of family and friends and even strangers that come to our aid. And there are also the uplifting joys of delicious foods and sweets that can transform dark moods into light. And always remember that one magic movie can also help you look forward to brighter, happier days ahead!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to you during this very unique 2020 season!

Please join my monthly Zoom group: High Notes Movie Club

Part 11 – The Farmer’s Daughter
Part 12 – Amélie
Part 13 – Hail the Conquering Hero – The Lady Eve
Part 14 – Back To School
Part 15 – Project Power – An American Pickle
Part 16 – The Secret: Dare to Dream
Part 17 – Chadwick Boseman – 42 – Black Panther
Part 18 – Phenomenon
Part 19 – Mulan 2020
Part 20 – Waitress - Labor Day - Michael

Part 21 – Enola Holmes
Part 22 – Kiss the Groun d
Part 23 – Top 5 Inspiring Thanksgiving Movie Scenes
Part 24 – Hubie Halloween

Part 25 – Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Part 26 – The Queen’s Gambit
Part 27 – Trading Places
Part 28 – Greenland
Part 29 – Logan’s Run
Part 30 – Moonstruck

Part 31 – Remember the Night
Part 32 – Tenet
Part 33 – Noel

SEE EMMANUEL's:

• Top Movies as Inspirational Learning Tools: www.Movies for Motivation.com

• Award-winning Illustrations: www.EmmanuelLopez.com

• Social Media Consulting Services: www.SocialMediaWingman.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

Sunday, December 20, 2020

Tip#1227: The Recipe For Resilience, Perseverance & Indestructible Optimism, Part 33 – Noel

This is Day 278 of the COVID-19 pandemic here in Toronto, Canada.

Thanks to friends and family, I was encouraged to get a Christmas tree for my first time facing Christmas alone this year. And I got a live one instead of an artificial tree which was my first thought to get. I called it my Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree because it was so small and precious and I found it thanks to my sister and nephew at a church across The Carrot Common on the Danforth, Toronto.

This little guy instigated so many smiles and compliments as we traveled home on the subway! And when I got home the tree immediately filled my home with a fresh pine scent that lifted my lonely heart. It gave new life to my home. It’s also my first live Christmas tree in over a decade so I enjoyed learning how to care and water this little guy.

There were also Christmas movies I’ve been watching focused on people being alone during the holidays or not having anyone to spend it with:

• Home Alone (1990)
• Holiday Affair (1949) See tip#711
• While You Were Sleeping (1995) See tip#613
• Remember the Night (1940) See tip#1225

The latest I watched was a 2004 film that I first saw in 2009 (see tip#315) which was the year before my life and business crashed. It was emotional watching it again because so much had happened to me in the past 11 years. Thankfully it’s been a slow but promising recovery on many levels since. Ultimately this film gave me hope and comfort for my isolated Christmas arriving soon in a few days.

Noel (2004)

The Christmas-themed drama film, Noel, is about five strangers linked together and who meet each other at separate times by a series of events on Christmas Eve in New York. This emotional and engaging movie has a strong ensemble cast that include Susan Sarandon, Penélope Cruz, Paul Walker, Alan Arkin and an uncredited Robin Williams.
Watch: movie trailer
Watch/Rent or Buy now: Amazon Prime Video

It was wonderful to watch this hidden gem again. Each of the cast are amazing and the story takes you places you won’t expect. And I felt a little sad seeing Robin Williams and Paul Walker who both had passed away since I first saw this movie. But I was still uplifted by Sarandon’s character Rose and how she persevered with her difficult Christmas Eve with the help of many of the other characters. And Walker’s character Mike also goes through a profound experience and transformation that was inspiring to see again.

Inspiration from specific holiday movies can go a long way to transforming one’s low mood. They can inspire one to be resilient when feeling isolated and alone. The characters can remind you to stay strong and hopeful that everything will be okay and that a light will always remain bright in your darkness. Find that special holiday film today to lift you up! Happy Holidays to you during this very unique 2020 season!

Please join my monthly Zoom group: High Notes Movie Club

Part 25 – Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Part 26 – The Queen’s Gambit
Part 27 – Trading Places
Part 28 – Greenland
Part 29 – Logan’s Run
Part 30 – Moonstruck

Part 31 – Remember the Night
Part 32 – Tenet

SEE EMMANUEL's:

• Top Movies as Inspirational Learning Tools: www.Movies for Motivation.com

• Award-winning Illustrations: www.EmmanuelLopez.com

• Social Media Consulting Services: www.SocialMediaWingman.com

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

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Tip#1226: The Recipe For Resilience, Perseverance & Indestructible Optimism, Part 32 – Tenet

This is Day 271 of the COVID-19 pandemic here in Toronto, Canada.

The past few weeks I have been amazingly resilient and positive despite a few days of seasonal depression symptoms and thoughts of being alone this Christmas holiday. My annual vacation in the US with family was cancelled due to the pandemic but I continue daily to focus my thoughts on all that I’m grateful for in my life rather than the isolation I will face at Christmas time. I’m also visualizing a positive future.

I know this is a test of my indestructible optimism and I know everything will be okay thanks to years of my positive mindset training. Despite over 20 years of clinical and seasonal depression and I’ve proven to myself that creative visualization and positive affirmations truly works. This is also called Future Pacing, which is an NLP concept (neuro-linguistic programming), used in sales and marketing. It’s about picturing the desired future I want and deeply feel as if I’ve already manifested my dreams and goals. See more: tip#759 and tip#831

What also elevated my positive energy and attitude was learning about a current December, astrological event called the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. This is when the planets Jupiter and Saturn are closest to each other every 20 years and triggers energies that effect each of us in personal and professional ways. This is the original article I read that excited me about my fast approaching future: Dena DeCastro Astrology

Whether you believe in astrology or creative visualization you are creating your own reality. For me, movies have always helped me expand my mindset and possibilities of a happier life because of the scenes and stories that excite me. Here’s a Sci Fi film that will definitely shake up your current thoughts and perspectives!

Tenet (2020)

The science fiction action-thriller film, Tenet, is about a CIA agent (John David Washington) that is recruited into a dangerous, time-twisting mission to prevent the start of World War III. This engaging adventure features exciting reverse photography and alternate reality concepts. Also starring Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, and Kenneth Branagh.
Watch: movie trailer
Watch/Rent or Buy now: Amazon Prime Video

If you’ve seen other films by writer/director Christopher Nolan like Inception and Interstellar then you know the wild, mind bending stories he tells! That’s all you need to know and I recommend you just watch this movie knowing it will tickle your brain into expanding what you know about the future, past and present. You may have to watch it more than once to understand it and that’s okay. Repetition is actually the key to reprogramming your brain for the better!

Focusing on positive or negative thoughts of the future may actually be a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you are going through difficult times than do your best to see this as a golden opportunity to reprogram your thoughts to be more effective on focusing on brighter days ahead. And movies can be powerful tools to train your indestructible optimism and resilience. Find a film today to empower your awesome future!

Please join my monthly Zoom group: High Notes Movie Club

Part 25 – Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Part 26 – The Queen’s Gambit
Part 27 – Trading Places
Part 28 – Greenland
Part 29 – Logan’s Run
Part 30 – Moonstruck

Part 31 – Remember the Night

SEE EMMANUEL's:

• Top Movies as Inspirational Learning Tools: www.Movies for Motivation.com

• Award-winning Illustrations: www.EmmanuelLopez.com

• Social Media Consulting Services: www.SocialMediaWingman.com

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

Sunday, December 06, 2020

Tip#1225: The Recipe For Resilience, Perseverance & Indestructible Optimism, Part 31 – Remember the Night

This is Day 264 of the COVID-19 pandemic here in Toronto, Canada.

This week I’ve been thinking back to the group therapy I’d done since 2015 and feel incredibly blessed I faced my fears in solving clinical depression. The revelations and tools I learned helped me cope with my lonely, isolated times during this pandemic. And a big key to my wellness and mental health recovery was due to healing my wounded inner child.

With the help of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and the insights of fellow patients shared during group therapy I was able to dig deep within my subconscious and connect with my hurt inner child. Issues of childhood bullying in school scarred me in ways that were revealed for me to embrace. But first I had to release and express years of suppressed anger and pain.