Tip#947: Enjoy the Journey, Part 2 - The Physician

I recently attended a wonderful retrospective art show by one of my favourite instructors from the Ontario College of Art (now OCADU). John Inglis taught me a lot about the meaningful relationships of each object to one another in a piece of art. That lesson later mirrored the importance of each relationship I would have over the next three decades with friends, family, co-workers and even contacts around the world on social media!

At John’s show I was happy to reconnect with other fellow students Ed, David and Janice. It was great catching up and sharing our creative progress over the years. There was an awesome moment when I showed them the artwork I created for my latest eBook Top Inspiring Women in the Movies on my iPhone because we had no such technology in the 80’s! Amazing!

The art retrospective made me reflective of my own 30 year journey since I graduated from art college in 1986. There have been many successes with my illustration company, media attention and motivational services as well as extreme adversities and challenges. Looking back I smiled thinking of how I’ve grown and, most importantly all the wonderful, loving, supportive relationships I’ve made.

The Physician (2013)

The adventure drama film, The Physician (also known as Der Medicus), is about an orphan named Robert Cole (Tom Payne) from an 11th century English town who vows to master medicine and travels to Persia to study with the famous Ibn Sina (Ben Kingsley). This epic film is filled with glorious, sumptuous landscapes with a riveting story and engaging performances by its multicultural cast. See: movie trailer

Robert’s adventure, passion and goal leads him to meeting many people who help him achieve his dream of studying medicine. The film demonstrates the magic of synchronicity and serendipity of each step forward such as being mentored as a boy by Barber (Stellan Skarsgard), meeting the Jewish doctor who tells him of Ibn Sina and then the people and love interest he meets traveling the desert to Egypt.

This film is definitely a hidden gem and evokes the grandeur of classics like Lawrence of Arabia. It is also filled with many inspiring and motivational themes.

 Inspiring Themes:
• Having a Vision
• Passion
• Perseverance
• Resilience
• Indestructible Optimism
• Courage
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Mentorship
• Problem Solving
• Professional Development
• Supportive Relationships
• Community

When you follow a dream or goal it may take months or even years to manifest. That’s why its important to see your journey as an adventure and relish knowing you will find loving, supportive relationships along the way. This way you will enjoy all the ups and downs of the road you choose!



Related Tips:
Tip#100: Enjoy The Journey, Part 1 - Citizen Kane
Tip#300: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 1 – Top 25 Movies
Tip#655: See Life As An Adventure, Part 1 - Kon-Tiki
Tip#610: Follow Your Dream, Part 1 – Movies for Motivation: How To Stay Strong In Your Life & Career – Limitless 

ON SALE NOW:
Top Inspiring Women in the Movies:
15 Films for Leadership at Work & in Life
The latest eBook by Emmanuel Lopez: Click here

LISTEN TO EMMANUEL’S CBC RADIO INTERVIEW on
MOVIE MESSAGES OF HOPE: Fresh Air Show 14 minutes

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



Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker & Movie Blogger
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience & Indestructible Optimism
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2016

Tip#946: Trust Your Gut, Part 3 - The Finest Hours

For many years my loving mom wanted me to get back to illustration as a full-time profession. Despite my new passion for motivational speaking and movie blogging she really didn’t want me to let go of creating the award-winning artwork she knew I was excellent in doing. I was just following my passion and trusting my gut for this new direction. It would be over a decade later that my mom would finally understand my choice for the path I wanted to pursue.

See my illustrations: Portfolio Retrospective

What changed my mom’s mind was watching a recent video clip I sent her from the Oprah Network featuring action star Dwayne Johnson. Johnson talked about his early life challenges and sudden change from pursuing a football career to becoming a pro-wrestler. He says he just followed his gut and felt in his heart he had to do this. Initially his father was very against this decision and wouldn’t support his son. He soon changed his mind and helped Johnson which led to a successful chapter or his life and ultimately the successful movie star he is today.

See video 2.36 min:
How a Bout of Depression Led to Dwayne Johnson's Career-Defining Moment

This inspirational video somehow lifted a weight off my mom and she finally accepted my life and career decisions. Over the years there were other family, friends, co-workers and even readers of this blog that felt I should be doing what they think is best for me. And I love and appreciate them all for caring. In the end I always trust my gut and heart for moving forward. It’s about trusting this inner voice inside me that I know is coming from a higher power.

So that’s why the ups and downs I experience resulting from my decisions are just part of the grand adventure I am having! And I know my inner voice will continue to guide me through whatever storms I encounter along the way.

The Finest Hours (2016)

The drama-thriller film, The Finest Hours, is based on the true story of the heroic rescue of over 30 sailors from the SS Pendleton split apart by a massive storm in 1952. Bernie Webber (Chris Pine) is sent out to find this damaged ship while Ray Sybert (Casey Affleck) assumes command of the surviving stern of his vessel in this exciting film filled with some jaw-dropping disaster visuals. See: movie trailer 

Although at first Bernie seems to lack confidence and assertiveness in his workplace and personal life he soon demonstrates great courage, resilience, perseverance and leadership as he ships out with his crew of four into a massive storm. And even though many of his fellow crewman and his Chief Officer (Eric Bana) insists on Bernie following their opinions and orders he chooses to trust his gut, heart and intuition in order to accomplish his goal and survive. By doing so he astounds everyone by accomplishing the seemingly impossible over and over again.

Ray also shows similar strengths when faced with crew members who didn’t recognize or support his direction but in the end they trusted him much like how Bernie is trusted by his own crew. Because of these two shining examples of inner strength this becomes an excellent film for inspiring team spirit, teamwork and outstanding leadership. To this day this situation is still considered the greatest small boat rescue in Coast Guard history.

Inspiring Themes:
• Self-Confidence
• Perseverance
• Resilience
• Indestructible Optimism
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Strategic Thinking
• Supportive Relationships

Trusting your gut in any situation whether it’s at work or in daily life can be a challenge especially when there are many voices around you telling you to do something else. And yet your inner voice is the one to guide you through whatever storms you face and obstacles that stand in your way. Let that voice sing out loud every day and eventually others will see and hear that voice too!

Read more of what was true and changed for The Finest Hours movie: History vs Hollywood

Related Tips:
Tip#616: Trust Your Gut, Part 1 - Jack Reacher 
Tip#888: Trust Your Gut, Part 2 - The Big Picture
Tip#946: Trust Your Gut, Part 3 - The Finest Hours

ON SALE NOW:
Top Inspiring Women in the Movies:
15 Films for Leadership at Work & in Life
The latest eBook by Emmanuel Lopez: CLICK HERE

LISTEN TO EMMANUEL’S CBC RADIO INTERVIEW on
MOVIE MESSAGES OF HOPE: Fresh Air Show 14 minutes

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



Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker & Movie Blogger
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience & Indestructible Optimism
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2016

Tip#945: Believe in Miracles, Part 2 - Health & Wellness - Miracles from Heaven

I believe in miracles because so many little unexpected gifts have come into my life when I needed them most. It could be a message or item from a stranger or even the perfect movie I needed when I was feeling lost or down. And I believe a miracle came during the recent Easter I was missing my Dad whose birthday coincided with the weekend (see tip#943).

My low feelings that weekend also included symptoms of clinical depression which amplified thoughts of hopelessness and death. And though I’ve been training myself to remind myself these are distorted thoughts thanks to my CBT therapy (see tip#863) I was compelled to pray for help. I prayed to God and my Dad to give me the definitive answer to free me of the mental illness that’s been my journey for over 20 years.

Dr. Josh Ax & Leaky Gut Syndrome

On the evening of Easter Monday I lay in bed with my iPhone and was compelled to google “leaky gut syndrome” and immediately found an article by Dr. Josh Ax called “7 Signs and Symptoms You Have Leaky Gut”. This then led me to another article called, “4 Steps to Heal Leaky Gut and Autoimmune Disease”. Here I found a list of key foods I resonated deeply with to add to my diet such as Bone Broth, Coconut Oil and wild-caught fish like salmon. See a list of what my diet looks like on Instagram: The Film Food Friends Project

Every moment since that evening I’ve been so focused and passionate about researching everything I could about gut health, bone broth and then purchased a new crock pot and made my first batch of beef bone broth using the highest quality apple cider vinegar. I also added virgin coconut oil, aloe vera juice and wild caught salmon to my daily diet. I was so excited that I began documenting this new lifestyle change with photos on Instagram and Facebook.

Looking back I realized this was the definitive answer I was praying for to solve my depression. The irony was that I was always on the right path with my previous discoveries with Dr. Perlmutter’s Brain Maker book (see tip#880) and his gut/brain connection with depression. I also wrote in the previous post my intuition was confirmed that clinical depression can be attributed to long-term nutritional deficiency (see tip#944).

And even though there will always be a difference of opinion with people about diets in the world I am trusting my gut (pun intended) to continue down this road. All I have to do is maintain my faith that this new lifestyle change will lead to increasing the feeling of my old, energized self that I know and love!

Miracles from Heaven (2016)

The drama film, Miracles from Heaven, is based on the true story of Christy Beam’s (Jennifer Garner) young daughter Anna (Kylie Rogers) and her near death experience and miraculous healing after a painful journey with an incurable disease. This faith-based movie features an outstanding performance by Garner as well as Rogers with many emotional, heartfelt moments. See: movie trailer

Both the mother and daughter demonstrated great strengths like perseverance, resilience, courage and optimism and yet they also showed they had their limits. Christy loses her faith in God and her church so this story is as much about her journey as it is with Anna’s difficult road to finding a proper diagnosis and treatment. I found this fascinating because the trailers made this film appear to be focused on her miraculous healing and near death experience when it is only a small, but important, part of the movie. The journey is the story and all the little miracles that came to this family when they needed them most.

Inspiring Themes:
• Having Faith
• Passion
• Perseverance
• Resilience
• Indestructible Optimism
• Leadership
• Family & Community
• Supportive Relationships

I cried during many scenes of this film. When these moments happen in any movie I know I am resonating with something I just saw and am releasing some kind of trapped emotion within me (see tip#912). I was also amazed at the synchronicity of aspects with Anna’s disease being related to the stomach, gut, intestines and nutrition which I’ve been exploring for myself.

Ultimately this film reminded me that I am never alone on my journey with depression. I was also reminded to keep believing in the little miracles that come into my life. These gifts always help me maintain my vision that everything in my life, relationships and career will be okay despite the challenges that block my way. I hope this movie can lift you up in some way too.

The films you discover or drawn to can re-energize your spirit and drive. Movies can help you stay resilient even when things look hopeless. They can even remind you to find faith again and believe in miracles. And miracles do happen if you let yourself be open to them. One miracle may already be in front of you right now!

Read more of what was true and changed for the Miracles from Heaven movie: History vs Hollywood

Related Tips:
Tip#911: Believe in Miracles, Part 1 - Miracle on 34th Street
Tip#945: Believe in Miracles, Part 2 - Miracles from Heaven
Tip#608: God in Movies, Part 1 - Life of Pi 
Tip#841: God in Movies, Part 2 – The Ten Commandments  
Tip#880: How Movies Help You Visualize Success, Part 2 - Health & Wellness - Fantastic Voyage

ON SALE NOW:
Top Inspiring Women in the Movies:
15 Films for Leadership at Work & in Life
A New eBook by Emmanuel Lopez: CLICK HERE

LISTEN TO EMMANUEL’S CBC RADIO INTERVIEW on
MOVIE MESSAGES OF HOPE: Fresh Air Show 14 minutes

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



Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker & Movie Blogger
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience & Indestructible Optimism
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2016

Tip#944: Passion is Fuel, Part 5 - Food Films - Spinning Plates

I love food! I love how delicious foods excite all my senses like sight, smell and taste. I love how meals are more enjoyable when shared with friends and family. And I love how certain meals trigger my happy childhood memories like seeing, hearing and smelling morning bacon and eggs frying up on the stove! My passion for food has also helped kept me resilient and optimistic for many years!

The irony is that I’ve had a gut feeling (pun unintended) that my diet over the years has contributed to my journey with clinical depression that has increased over the past 20 years. Ever since I read Brain Maker book by Dr. Perlmutter (see tip#880) I’ve strongly felt that I’ve been suffering from a long-term nutritional deficiency. I still feel there are also psychological blocks feeding my depression symptoms so I continue to work with solutions, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), without the aid of anti-depressants (see tip#863).

 I'm with Vernon Chang aka MoVernie, Celebrity TV Host and Stephanie Blok of HotDishPR

That’s why it felt like another synchronistic gift that I got invited to the Now Foods health information event organized by Stephanie Blok of HotDishPR. We met for the first time just the day before at her other fantastic event 360 Gourmet (see tip#939) through my friend and client Steffi Black, Life & Career Coach. The presentation was by Marva Ward, National Product Educator & Trainer and it took place at Toronto’s Coco Lezzone where I, along with a clan of social media promoters, were treated to nutritional insights and delicious, rustic-chic Italian food!

I'm with Marva Ward, National Product Educator & Trainer

I was initially excited to just be in this social environment because the social factor really helps reduce my depression symptoms which were very high that day. But then the thought of meeting new people and having some succulent dishes motivated me to get out and brave the rainy day. The bonus was talking one-on-one with Marva and learning that she believes what I believe about solving my mental health challenges. She said that clinical depression is most likely caused by long-term nutritional deficiency and she had many "buried" studies to back this up.

Hearing Marva say this moved me deeply and I felt more encouraged and enthusiastic to continue doing whatever I need to do to change my diet and lifestyle to feel fully alive again! I celebrated this soul-stirring moment with the wonderful gift bag of Now products we all received and dined on an array of delicious foods. There was also a flurry of photos being taken of each dish by myself and my newly met social media colleagues!

Spinning Plates (2012)

The documentary film, Spinning Plates, is about three restaurants and the people behind them and how food draws families and communities together. There is the small Mexican restaurant, La Cocina de Gabby, Breitbach’s Country Dining and Alina a fine dining restaurant. The film is filled with wonderful, tantalizing images of food as well as heartfelt stories of the chefs and their passion for serving others. See: movie trailer

Quotes from the film:

 “Why do you go to a restaurant? To be entertained, to enjoy yourself, to celebrate.” 

“Food is at once art, at once craft and at once science.” 

“This is an adventure, every customer is a guest in my house.” 

“It’s more like a community center than anything!” 

“Food has become the resource to survival for us.” 

“We’re doing all this for family.” 

This fantastic film not only celebrates three different approaches to the culinary arts it also highlights the overwhelming adversities the chefs of each restaurant faced. One faced the burning down of their restaurant while another faced cancer and the possibility of never being able to taste again. The stories show that family and the strong sense of community were part of the solutions for perseverance, resilience and indestructible optimism! More: Spinning Plates website

Inspiring Themes:
• Having a Vision
• Creativity
• Passion
• Perseverance
• Resilience
• Indestructible Optimism
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Sense of Family & Community
• Supportive Relationships
• Entrepreneurial Spirit

If food is a passion of yours then celebrate that passion everyday! And remember how food can cultivate a wonderful sense of family and community with good people supporting you. And if you are dealing with depression or difficult times your passions can keep you energized and positive. Passion is your fuel to face any challenge in your workplace, health challenges and in life!

Related Tips:
Tip#151: Passion Is Fuel, Part 1 - The Forbidden Kingdom 
Tip#763: Passion is Fuel, Part 2 - Food Films - Chef
Tip#764: Passion is Fuel, Part 3 - Food Films - Haute Cuisine
Tip#938: Passion is Fuel, Part 4 - Pleasure Activities - The Ramen Girl  
Tip#944: Passion is Fuel, Part 5 - Food Films - Spinning Plates

ON SALE NOW:
Top Inspiring Women in the Movies:
15 Films for Leadership at Work & in Life
A New eBook by Emmanuel Lopez: CLICK HERE

LISTEN TO EMMANUEL’S CBC RADIO INTERVIEW on
MOVIE MESSAGES OF HOPE: Fresh Air Show 14 minutes

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



Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker & Movie Blogger
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience & Indestructible Optimism
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2016