Tip#204: Common Courtesy Goes A Long Way – Blast From The Past - Take The Lead - Rocky Balboa

Common courtesy can make the workplace and the world a better place. It's all about acknowledging others in a positive way. A small gesture of good will can go a long way for everyone.

I was brought up to be as polite as I could be with others around me. And in my professional life I recognized how powerful it was just to say please or thank you to someone while running my own business. It helped to build enjoyable business relationships and long-term clients.

It's about living a code of giving unconditionally which can lead to great customer experience or a collaborative spirit in the workplace. And it's about treating people the same way you'd like to be treated.

Common courtesy ought to be part of every person's character and yet it can be difficult to keep it alive especially in a big city. But there's much to be said about bringing some old fashion values into the workplace and our personal lives. Here are 3 movies that show the benefits of common courtesy:

Blast From the Past 1999

Brendan Fraser stars as Adam in this comedy about a family who lives in a bomb shelter in the 60's and how he later tries to adapt to the modern world 35 years later. When Adam encounters people for the first time he either baffles them with his common courtesy or charms them with his thoughtfulness and kind words. His old fashioned family values eventually transforms the cynics he meets along his adventure.

Take the Lead 2006

Antonio Banderas plays Pierre Dulaine and is based on a true story of a dance instructor who teaches troubled youths the life lessons from ballroom dancing. It teaches how to be respectful to others, teamwork and dignity. There is one funny scene where Dulaine is continually opening the door for women exiting the principle's office and how a student was making fun of him. The student later gets up and copies Dulaine because he saw how it put him in a favorable light with the ladies!

Rocky Balboa 2006

Sylvester Stallone wrote, directed and starred in this final chapter of the Rocky series. What was amazing to recognize in this story was that Balboa was a very gracious person. He was constantly thanking everyone around him and even expresses his appreciation to his opponent at the end of his final boxing match. Balboa fought with heart in the ring and treated people with heartfelt energy.

How Do You Want To Be Treated?

So think about how you want to be treated by others. And then take actions to treat others the same way. Make it your code to do a thoughtful gesture towards anyone in the workplace or even to total strangers wherever you go.

These random acts of kindness will always activate positive emotional energy in others as well as yourself. Isn't that the kind of world you want to live in?

MOTIVATE YOUR WORKPLACE NOW!
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Emmanuel Lopez
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2008

Tip#203: Do What Makes You Happy - Role Models

Do what makes you happy even if people laugh at you. Focus on what energizes you because eventually you will find others who already see the value in what you care about.

Growing up I loved comic book super heroes, Sci Fi movies and TV shows. I absolutely loved X-Men comics and Star Trek! I was a classic nerd and was laughed at by other kids. But I didn't care. This stuff made me happy and feel great!

Later these "laughed at" interests became the fuel that fed my imagination and creativity in my first career as an illustrator. My childhood interests helped me create a fun and lucrative career I loved! See illustration samples here.

And now as a Motivational Specialist I talk openly about my favourite movie heroes that can help others activate positive emotional energy they can use as fuel for a better life, career or workplace experience.

Role Models

I just saw the newly released comedy Role Models with a great message about doing what makes you happy. The movie is about 2 friends, Danny and Wheeler, who must spend 150 hours of community service mentoring kids.

In the program they meet Augie who has a passion for medieval role play. To others, like his parents, his passion is just an obsession they want him to stop focusing on. Even his mentor Danny initially sees Augie's interest as being ridiculous and does his best to keep himself out of this medieval world.

Eventually Danny stops focusing on himself and sides with Augie even against his parents. Danny finally saw the value of what Augie deeply cared about. In doing so everyone's lives are transformed for the better.

Now this movie has great motivational value but please take note that it is part of this trend of profanity and sexual innuendo injected movies like The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up. What I love about this style of film-making is that it can shake up your world while making you laugh. And when those heartfelt messages come out they hit you even stronger.

Keep Believing In Yourself

So remember to keep believing in yourself when it comes to topics or activities that excite you. Remember that they are activating positive emotional energy inside you that feeds your self-confidence. And that confidence can be applied to whatever you want to accomplish in your life, career or workplace.

Everyone has a personal interest in something meaningful that, at first glance, may appear to have no value to others. But if everyone took the time to see it from the other person's point of view we could all learn something new.

And that "something" could be the missing key to achieving your own dreams and goals.

Emmanuel Lopez
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2008

Tip#202: All Things Are Possible - Rocky II

Sometimes it can take a great story, movie or a real life hero to help you remember that all things are possible.

As I write this Barack Obama has just made history being appointed the first black American president. I've also been resting for past few days letting my throat heal after losing my voice last week. See tip#201.

Looking back I am amazed that I was able to fight through my physical challenges of my sore throat and complete all my speaker bookings. And watching the news last night to see Obama give his acceptance speech reminded me that anything was possible. It was exiting to see another example of what one person's passion and persistence can achieve.

Rocky II

While this history making event was occurring I had just finished watching Rocky II that was airing on TV. I hadn't seen this movie in countless years and I had forgotten how great it was. The story had all the elements of what passion and persistence can achieve.

The story takes place right after the first Rocky film and revolves around Rocky Balboa being pressured to fight Apollo Creed again in the ring. At first it almost seems impossible because Balboa had lost his edge after he honors his wife's wishes to not fight anymore.

But once he gets the support of his old manager Mickey, the people of his hometown and finally his wife, Balboa re-ignited his passion and inner focus to face his challenge and win. The ending got me so pumped up I couldn't wait to get back to work motivating others!

Get Inspired

So remember no matter how bleak your future looks or how challenging life can get, there will always be stories out there to inspire you. Find those real life heroes that excite you who have persisted and achieved their goals. Find those movie heroes that fight with passion to overcome overwhelming barriers.

Stories of heroes are there to remind you of your own hidden potential. You just have to get off your butt and take the necessary steps to get what you want out of life, your job or your career. Stories are there to remind you that all things are possible!

"You're gonna eat lightning and you're gonna crap thunder!"
Rocky's manager Mickey
Rocky II


UPCOMING WORKSHOP:
"Improve Your Social Interactions" For Singles
This popular 4 part program will build your self-confidence and self-esteem while you learn simple ice-breakers. Location: Royal Ontario Museum. Start date: Nov.18th
For more details: Click here

Emmanuel Lopez
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2008

Tip#201: Focus On The Positives – Iron Man

When faced with unexpected change or crisis you've got to focus on the positives right in front of you. It's the only way to survive and achieve the success you want.

I just completed a successful and challenging week chock full of a record number of seminars I gave. What made it even more challenging is that I lost my voice half way through the week!

The weather didn't help as it was pouring rain and chilly the Monday I was to start a series of out of town seminars. The bulk of my talks were for my workplace topic, "How To Press Play When You're Stuck On Pause" where I discuss building an optimistic mindset.

So I knew I had to walk my talk and remain optimistic. I had to figure out how to complete my job despite the loss of my voice. I knew there were many people that were counting on me so I made the choice to stay positive and look at the silver lining in my crisis.

Iron Man (2008)

Ironically, what motivated me was the movie, Iron Man that I presented this same week as a special screening and motivational discussion. Right at the beginning of the film Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr., is held captive and forced to create a weapon for terrorists.

He knew he would be killed whether he did the job or not so he chose to remain resilient and optimistic. Instead of building a weapon Stark secretly built a suit of armor to escape. He visualized a plan to save himself and took action.

It was Stark's positive attitude that would inspire me during the screening because right after the group discussion my voice finally gave out and could hardly speak above a whisper. This was a Wednesday night and I had 2 more workplace seminars to give on Friday.

Focus On What You Want

So instead of panicking, worrying or thinking negatively I focused on being optimistic. First I visualized myself healthy and giving energetic seminars on Friday. Secondly I reminded myself that I still had a full day to recover and did my best not to speak to anyone that Thursday. Thirdly I did my best to take care of my health and throat with countless teas and other herbal aids a friend recommended. And I also threw in a prayer to the big dude upstairs for some help!

By Friday morning my voice was still raw but better and I ended up giving 2 successful presentations. And since the audiences never heard my real voice before they didn't realize I was speaking much deeper like soul singer Barry White. And I probably sounded sexier on the microphone because of the extra rasp in my voice!

How's that for looking at things optimistically!

So do your best to stay resilient and optimistic when an unexpected crisis hits you. Identify all the factors that are already working in your favour. Focus on these positives and it will increase more positives. That's the law of attraction in action.

And remember to visualize what you truly want. That's what your favourite cinematic role models can help you with. They can help you focus on the positives and mirror your hidden strengths. Just turn that optimism switch on in your brain and you can achieve anything!


MOTIVATE YOUR WORKPLACE, FREE PDF:
For more information on how to
build optimistic mindsets in
your workplace download
this free PDF outline. Click here

Emmanuel Lopez
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2008

Tip#200: How To Build Indestructible Optimism - Top 9 Movie Tips

Indestructible:
Defined as impossible to destroy; durable, lasting

Optimism:
Defined as a tendency to expect the best possible outcome or dwell on the most hopeful aspects of a situation

The stress and anxiety of unexpected crisis and change can be painful. But you can overcome anything when you develop an optimistic mindset. It will give you x-ray vision to help you see the solutions, options and opportunities hidden right in front of you.

This is the 200th tip on this blog and I am in a state of blissful celebration! I am celebrating this 2 year journey while sipping an equally blissful vanilla bean latte from Second Cup as I write this! This part of my life has been incredibly transformational and I am grateful for all the movies I've seen that helped motivate me.

And this spring was a huge turning point for me. Everything changed when I felt my back up against a wall financially. That triggered a primal energy inside me to aggressively go for what I wanted (see tip#170). I was able to finally refine and implement 3 key factors I'd been working on for years to accelerate the process of building an optimistic attitude that was indestructible. Here they are…

1) See it & Believe it

Visualizing the future you want is first step. Focus on the positive vision you want to achieve. Identifying your favourite cinematic role models can accelerate the process. Movie heroes can help you see possible futures you truly desire or the strengths you want to develop.

Maintaining unshakable faith and belief in your vision is next step. You must believe your dreams and goals are attainable AND that you can overcome any life and career challenge. You have to believe that all things are possible no matter what you currently see blocking your way. Believing in your vision then leads to self-confidence.

Here are 3 movie examples to help you visualize & believe:
• Contact (1997)
• The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
• Pleasantville (1998)

2) Rewrite Old Habits

Your habits of thinking can either support or derail your optimism. Look at your brain as if it were a computer. There are old programs inside it that have been running on automatic for years. These represent old habits keeping you from moving forward. You have to identify those old programs and rewrite them. They are taking up valuable head space and energy.

And when you finally transform these old habits it makes room for new positive habits of thinking. New neural pathways are created in your brain. Find the courage to step into a new world and let go of ideas and thoughts that no longer serve you.

Here are 3 movies to inspire you to rewrite old habits:
• Jerry Maguire (1996)
• As Good As It Gets (1997)
• Peaceful Warrior (2006)

3) Repetition

Creating new lasting habits of proactive thinking is achieved through repetition. It's about reprogramming your inner computer with new ways of looking at problems. Use every available resource to continually feed your mind with new ideas and methods you are attracted to: books, articles, audio recordings, online sites, seminars, speakers, movies, music, TV shows, etc.

Here are 3 movies about the benefits of repetition:
• Groundhog Day (1993)
• The Karate Kid (1984)
• 50 First Dates (2004)

Change can be challenging but practicing a little every day eventually goes a long way. Even now I continue to work on all these 3 factors as if it were a daily workout for my brain.

And when times feel extremely tough what helps lift me up are my passion for movies and the supportive relationships I've cultivated. And, of course, the occasional vanilla bean latte!

So remember the powerful benefits of building an optimistic mindset. You will be able to see that every cloud does have a silver lining. You will see the positives in the negatives. And you will feel a confidence that is indestructible!

NEED A SPEAKER ON HOW TO ACTIVATE INDESTRUCTIBLE OPTIMISM?
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Related Tips:
Tip#67: Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining, Part 1 - 4 Movie Tips 
Tip#621: Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining, Part 2 - Silver Linings Playbook 
Tip#188: Wear A Coat of Optimism – The Shawshank Redemption
Tip#200: How To Build Indestructible Optimism - Top 9 Movie Tips 
Tip#593: Remember Your Indestructible Optimism, Part 1 - Argo
Tip#904: Remember Your Indestructible Optimism, Part 2 – Depression - The 33
Tip#974: Remember Your Indestructible Optimism, Part 3 - Ghostbusters 2016 
Tip#977: Remember Your Indestructible Optimism, Part 4 - Me Before You 
Tip#998: Top 20 Movies on How To Activate Indestructible Optimism! 

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
The Movies-For-Motivation Speaker
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience & Indestructible Optimism
See website: www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2008

Tip#199: You'll Meet The Right People At The Right Time – That Thing You Do!

No matter where you are in your life or career remember there are always helpful people along your journey.

I am astounded that I've written almost 200 tips on this blog. This blog has been an amazing journey for the past 2 years and has connected me with people all over the world. My online story of my career transition into being a world-class motivator has been inspiring others to follow their own passions and dreams.

At times the journey has been difficult but looking back I can see how magical it's been because there was always someone I met at the right place and the right time to help me along the path I was compelled to take.

That Thing You Do!

The movie That Thing You Do! celebrates the journey of career success when one follows a passion. Written and directed by Tom Hanks it tells the story of Guy Patterson working at his family appliance store in the 60's. He has a passion for jazz drumming and plays secretly at night.

Guy's journey unfolds when he is asked to play drums for one rock and roll song in a friend's band. He adds his personal touch to the song and it becomes an instant success at a high school competition. That success cascades into attracting the right people who help the band move forward to more successes.

Guy becomes the key for attracting the right person to help them record the song. This then attracts the right manager to get the band playing on the radio and to bigger live audiences.

Eventually that manager connects them to a major label manager played by Tom Hanks. The synchronicities of meeting the right people at the right time in movies like this can happen in real life too.

Relationships Accelerate You Forward

The movie was like a mirror for my own journey especially during the 2 years of writing this blog. I have documented many synchronistic encounters with individuals that came into my life to accelerate me forwards.

There are always earth angels along your path waiting to help you move forward. Do your best to recognize the help that come to you.

And remember relationships are all about how people can help each other. It is a two-way street. So stay passionate and optimistic about your career and life and that positive energy will magnetize the right person to help take you to the next level!

Special Toronto Event:
MOVIES THAT MOTIVATE - IRON MAN
Wed. Oct. 29th 6:30pm
See an exclusive presentation of Iron Man
in a hollywood-style screening room and learn
about the motivational themes of this film.
*ACT FAST! Only a few seats left.
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Emmanuel Lopez
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2008

Tip#198: Accept Unexpected Change & Crisis - Take The Lead

Unexpected change and crisis can shake up your world. It can push your comfort zone and fill you with unwanted stress. That's why it is so important to focus on the positives even though all you see is negative.

I have a friend who called me up recently who's been getting more and more worried about the economic situation in the US and Europe. He was surprised at how calm I was about the whole crisis and asked how am I able to stay positive and confident.

I said that my mid-life crisis that hit me in early 2000 has trained me to have a resilient and optimistic mindset. I have learned how to focus on the positives instead of dwelling on the negatives.

Take the Lead

Right after our talk a synchronicity occurred when I was drawn to seeing the movie Take the Lead right away. This film had a powerful message about transforming mindsets and was exactly what I discussed with my friend.

The film stars Antonio Banderas as dance instructor Pierre Dulaine. He was compelled to help troubled high school youths in New York and offers to teach them ballroom dancing. At first the school principle and the group of teens laugh at this seemingly impossible and unthinkable concept but over time they slowly warm to this new idea.

What happened was the world of these youths were shaken up by this unexpected situation thrust upon them. Their old paradigms of thinking were being threatened. But after several days of being introduced to classic forms of dance and music they began to transform their old ways of thinking.

In one powerful scene Dulaine explains what ballroom dancing was teaching the kids. It was teaching them how to be respectful to others, teamwork and dignity. In the end it was inspiring to see how each and every person Dulaine came across experienced a positive change and growth from an idea they all despised at first.

What made the movie even more powerful was that the end credits showed that this was based on a true story and that Dulaine's program has grown to involve 42 instructors and more than 12,000 students in 120 New York City public schools.

Accept Change

So do your best to accept the unexpected change and crisis that come into your life or career. Face these stressful times by focusing on a positive outcome for yourself. Identify what you can learn from these situations and unearth the hidden opportunities that come from a crisis.

Dwelling on the problem will only clutter up your mind. Make it your priority to train your thoughts and build an optimistic mindset a little bit every day. It's never too late to learn a new way of thinking.

And find cinematic role models that will keep you motivated. Movies have the power to teach you about yourself while filling you with positive emotional energy to keep moving forward!

Emmanuel Lopez
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2008

Tip#197: The Power of Your Passions – 15 Movie Tips

Passion: A powerful emotion such as love, joy, hatred or anger. The object of such love and desire, great enthusiasm or anger.

Whenever you get stuck in your life, career, or workplace always remember that passion is a primary source of energy. Whatever you are passionate about can re-energize you. What you feel excited about can jumpstart your engine. Passion is fuel you can tap into immediately and at anytime. It will help lift your spirits and move you forward with confidence.

I have a passion for vanilla bean lattes. Every first sip I take of this delicious coffee sends my taste buds soaring and activates my positive emotional energy. From there I apply that positive feeling into mental energy. So when I am feeling low, depressed or a little lost I always treat myself with a passion of mine, like a favourite beverage.

Movies are one of my biggest passions for many reasons. The excitement I feel for films is always there. I think about movies every day. The first section of a newspaper I go is the entertainment section, which is the same when I go to the magazine section of a book store. Every day I check my favourite bookmarked websites that feature news on upcoming movies and their release dates. And I love writing and discussing movies with others!

How do you find your passion?

A passion can be any personal interest or hobby you love or love doing. It is an activity that you are compelled to do without having been told to do it. A passion can be something you loved as a child that still makes you feel good like a favourite song, toy, character, game, story, TV show or movie.

A passion can also be the thing you've been doing your whole life that you don't think is a big deal. It's something you don’t even notice because it's second nature to you. This is where it takes time and dedicated effort to look back over the years and see whatever is second nature to you from a whole new perspective.

The key is to identify what you are passionate about and build awareness of the positive emotional energy you feel when indulging in that passion. This is your hidden fuel. And if you are stuck remembering what your passions are always know that the power of movies can help. Films can trigger your memories with its visual stimuli and your favourite cinematic role models.

Here is a list of 15 movies to help you identify and unleash your passions:

Amelie
This French film explores and celebrates a multitude of passions people have for the little things in life as seen through the vivid imagination of a young woman.

Big
This magical movie explores how a passion for playing with toys can become a viable skill for employment in a toy related corporation.

Chocolat
Having a passion for chocolate is about a powerful energy that can excite your soul as well as your taste buds. This movie also shows how sharing passions can connect you deeply with people.

Elf
This Christmas classic explores the importance of keeping childhood passions alive in a grown-up world. It will remind you of the positive energy that can fill you through the little things in life you loved growing up with.

Enchanted
This fantasy movie is all about having a joyful passion for life. The eternal optimism of the heroine is so pure that she transforms even the cynics she encounters in New York City.

Happy Feet
This animated movie explores the importance of keeping a passion alive even though people around you do not support your talent, strengths or gifts.

Kung Fu Panda
This animated feature shows how a passion for food can become a positive incentive to help you become a better, more confident person.

Jerry Maguire
This movie explores how a sports representative's original passion for sports compels him to turnover his career to live a more authentic life with meaningful relationships.

Pleasantville
This movie is a magical story about freeing one's hidden passions, desires and personal interests. It shows how much more colourful life can be when you indulge and share what is most meaningful to you.

The Pursuit of Happyness
A homeless, single parent survives on the streets because of his passion for his toddler son and his passion for a new meaningful career.

Rocky
This movie explores the importance of following a dream and competing with passion. The main character fought with his heart keeping him deeply energized.

The Sound of Music
This musical classic is brimming with passion. The song, "My Favourite Things" represents the power of passion and how thinking of your favourite things can lift you up when you’re feeling sad.

School of Rock
A struggling musician with an overwhelming passion for rock and roll discovers a joyful new career teaching and sharing his passion with young school kids.

Stand By Me
During one summer adventure, 4 friends celebrate the innocence and passions of childhood during the 1950's.

Stranger Than Fiction
A businessman is unexpectedly forced to redefine the value of his life by exploring his passions and personal interests. The story also features a young woman who created a successful business with her passion for baking. This movie ultimately celebrates the little things in life we are passionate about and how they can save our lives a little bit every day.

Be Aware

Let these movies re-ignite your passions and personal interests. Identify other favourite movies that are mirroring the enjoyable activities or careers you’d love to do or have. What you are doing is being more conscious of what makes you feel good and energized.

Remember to train your mind to become aware of how good you feel when you are doing something you love. Be conscious of how alive you feel when remembering your childhood passions or favourite hobbies you spend time on today.

Feel the positive emotional energy that flows through you when you think of favourite things in your daily life, job or workplace. This energy will increase your confidence, your focus and your optimism.

Go ahead and tap into this powerful resource called passion right now. Start by treating yourself to something you love like your favorite coffee, beverage or movie!

And please let me know what your favourite movies about passion are. I'd love to hear from you.

More on positive emotional energy see:
Tip#248: 7 Positive Emotions That Energize – Stranger Than Fiction

Emmanuel Lopez
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2008

Tip#196: Favourite Foods Will Lift You Up - Ratatouille

Food is a phenomenal resource for lifting up your spirits. Just the thought of your favourite foods can transport you instantly to happy memories of your past.

Recently I was feeling a little low energy and almost cancelled a meeting with my friend, the money guru. I'm glad I kept the meeting because he insisted we just celebrate life and go to Swiss Chalet for dinner. The instant he said that my eyes lit up and my energy jumped at the very thought. I realized we both had a passion for Swiss Chalet chicken and that excited me even more!

As we sat dining on the delicious, savory chicken and crispy fries drenched in Swiss Chalet's famous sauce we were both overflowing with positive emotional energy. I was smiling more and feeling empowered from the experience!

What was most amazing was that I was simultaneously transported to happy times as a child when my family and I dined at Swiss Chalet. I felt fantastic. I simply tapped into a hidden resource of energy within me.

Ratatouille

The animated movie Ratatouille is all about a deep love for food. It tells the tale of a rat in Paris named Remy who has a passion for cooking. It is also about how a delicious meal can transform a negative mindset into a positive one.

There is a character named Anton Ego, voiced by Peter O'Toole, who is a food critic of such nasty proportions. He is mean-spirited, creepy and extremely frightening to look at.

But there is an incredible scene when he finally tastes Remy's cooking. Once he takes his first bite his eyes widen and is suddenly flashbacked to a moment in his childhood where he was feeling down and was comforted by his mother's cooking. It was a profound and universal truth about comfort food.

Comfort Food

Comfort food is exactly what it sounds like, food that comforts the soul and provides a sense of home. Anton Ego experienced that feeling and it transformed whatever negativity he'd being carrying all his life. That delicious meal he was served by Remy resurrected that missing happy part of himself that just got buried over time.

So remember the power of your favourite foods growing up. Realize that they are a passion that can re-energize you anytime you need it. Even just thinking of your favourites can activate positive emotional energy within you. Realize that you have this resource and it will transform your heart and mindset for the better.

And remember there is only one thing greater then indulging in your favourite foods and that is to share it with someone who shares your passion!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Other comfort food tips:
Tip#20: Comfort Food For Your Soul
Tip#111: Celebrate Food: Part 3

Emmanuel Lopez
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2008

Tip#195: Life Affirming Things - The Sound of Music

The news still continues to report the turmoil of the stock market in the US and around the world. And it can get you down if you let it. Just remember that there are other thoughts you can focus on that will lift your spirits.

Last night I attended the live performance of The Sound of Music here in Toronto. Immediately upon starting, the music and the lyrics of these classic songs reached deep into me and triggered emotions that were both sad and profoundly joyful.

It reminded me of happy times as a child and of falling asleep halfway through The Sound of Music movie in the theatre with my mom and dad. I thought about my dad who has since passed away and how I missed him. I thought about how my personal life today was not how it was suppose to be and that I still have dreams I want to come true.

I grew up loving the songs from the movie The Sound of Music and as an adult was surprised to discover how fantastic this film was on so many levels. The music, performances and cinematography were all so engaging. And last night's live performance made me realize how life affirming the story was.

My Favourite Things

I was amazed to hear the song My Favourite Things again in the new light of being a motivational speaker because it relates to one of my core topics of identifying your passions. The song is about remembering your favourite things because they can lift your spirits up when you are feeling down…

"When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad,
I simply remember my favourite things and then I don't feel so bad."

I grew up with these simple lyrics and didn't realize the full power of them. It was only after going through my mid-life challenges did I see that identifying what I am passionate about can fuel me during challenging times.

And so after feeling a little melancholy from seeing the live show I just remembered my favourite things like movies and enjoyed the thought of watching my DVD of The Sound of Music again to take me to another life affirming world for awhile.

So remember that you can lift yourself up anytime by remembering your favourite things. Think about the little things you loved growing up. Think about the little things today that make you feel good. What are your favourite songs? Or your favourite foods?

Whatever your favourites are they are here to remind you that they have the power to activate your optimism and the positive energy already inside you.

Emmanuel Lopez
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2008