Tip#1031: Trust Your Inner Voice, Pt.3 – 3 Movie Tips

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. Because believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart even if it leads you off the well worn path.” 
Steve Jobs, Co-Founder, CEO, Apple

I recently received an inspirational message from myself in the past! It’s like what happens in Sci Fi movies and TV shows where past selves send answers to problems to their future selves. If you are on Facebook, you will know it randomly shares “Facebook Memories” of your previous posts. A few days ago it showed me one I posted last year during Random Acts of Kindness Week of a video clip for a brief Steve Jobs speech.

It’s a video clip that has been shared online over the years called “Connecting the Dots” and it’s about how we may feel we are not on the right track with our lives and careers but if we follow our heart and interests, even if it doesn’t seem to fit our plans or goals, we will one day look back and connect the dots from our future success. See video clip: “Connecting the Dots”

So today I thank Facebook and my past self for this reminder because, synchronistically, I’ve been in the process of connecting my own dots for following my heart for decades with my art/illustrations, blog writing, photography, music and motivational speaking. Something wonderful is emerging from this journey of these areas as “creative coping strategies” and will share details on this blog as it becomes clearer.

Right now I will trust in my inner voice which sometimes feels like my own voice from either the past or from the future! This makes me think of many related films and a favourite Star Trek: The Next Generation episode to inspire you with.



Disney’s The Kid (2000)

In this wonderful family film, a man named Russ (Bruce Willis), who has lost his way in life and work, meets his 8 year old self (Spencer Breslin) who gives his future self reminders of what made him truly happy as a kid as well as answers to why we was stuck in the present. See other posts: Tip#179: Important Messages From The Kid - Disney's The Kid

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

This has been called the science fiction version of Groundhog Day where a Major (Tom Cruise) is caught in a time loop living the same day over and over. In order to break free he remembers lessons he learned for his future self’s next life. See other posts: Tip#762: Learning from Mistakes - Edge of Tomorrow

Groundhog Day (1993)

This film is one of the greatest films to inspire trust in connecting the dots in life. And, like Edge of Tomorrow, is a fantastic metaphor for a past self sending positive messages and answers to a future self. See other posts: Tip#727: The Power in Repetition, Part 2 - Groundhog Day

Star Trek: The Next Generation, All Good Things (1994)

This was the finale of the TV series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and was absolutely fantastic as science fiction, closure of a beloved TV show and for telling an inspiring story of past, present and future selves communicating with one another to solve a major problem. Highly recommend you see especially if you are a Star Trek fan!

Trusting in the unknown can be scary and stressful. And yet if you can find the courage to trust in your gut or inner voice you may be able to see the silver lining of your current adversities or challenges. That inner voice may be coming from a higher power or it could be coming from your future self or even past self. Either way let this voice guide you out of the darkness and into a brighter now!

Related Tips:
Tip#174: Trust Your Inner Voice Pt.1 – The Happening - Hancock
Tip#394: Trust Your Inner Voice Pt.2 - The Town
Tip#1031: Trust Your Inner Voice, Pt.3 – 3 Movie 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



NEED SOME CHEERING UP?
SEE NOW:
The Best Uplifting Movie Montage with a song written & performed by Emmanuel Lopez!

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

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



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

© Emmanuel Lopez 2017

Tip#1030: Be Inspired by Amazing True Stories, Part 11 – Karlo Estates - Bottle Shock

I recently attended the best wine tasting event ever for Karlo Estates hosted by Higher Ground Agency and Blueprint Business Architecture. It was a fantastic evening of meeting old friends, new people and delicious foods while tasting 10 amazing wines from this Prince Edward County winery in Ontario.

Most of all I was very inspired to hear Co-Founder & Owner Sherry Karlo’s success story of how she persevered through many adversities resulting in an award-winning, innovative, creative winery competing on a global level. These wines cannot be found in wine stores despite numerous requests by the LCBO. Karlo Estates is focused more on private clients.

I actually knew Sherry over 15 years ago when she was Creative Director of her company Fresh Thinking and then lost touch with her. During that time she married Co-Founder Richard Karlo and together followed their dream to create a winery and leave their old jobs behind. Tragically Richard passed away but not before leaving behind a legacy that Sherry would courageously continue in a male dominated industry.

See more photos: Karlo Estates Wine Tasting 

During Sherry’s fascinating presentation she told the packed room that Karlo Estates is one of Trip Advisor’s top destinations and the only winery to be named twice on the Top Ten Cutting Edge Wines in the World list. They are also the world’s first vegan certified winery. I was in awe in hearing Sherry’s many stories and felt that her journey was an inspirational movie waiting to happen! I even asked her to start thinking of actresses she’d like to play her. Some of the names that came up were Julianne Moore, Jessica Chastain and Nicole Kidman!

In an email follow up with Sherry she shared her favourite wine movies that included A Good Year, A Walk in the Clouds, Sideways and Bottle Shock. A Good Year is a favourite of mine and you can read my blog post on Tip#932 while Bottle Shock was already on my list to see and happy to share about it now.



Bottle Shock (2008)

The comedy drama film, Bottle Shock, is based on the true story of the 1976 wine competition termed the "Judgment of Paris", when California wine defeated French wine in a blind taste test. This entertaining film with beautifully sun drenched scenery features wonderful performances by its cast that includes Alan Rickman, Chris Pine, Bill Pullman, Freddy Rodriguez, Rachael Taylor, Eliza Dushku and Dennis Farina. See: movie trailer

There are some powerful, inspirational scenes by Bill Pullman as Jim Barrett owner of Chateau Montelena and Freddy Rodriguez as budding winemaker Gustavo Brambila about passion and perseverance. And the late, great Alan Rickman is wonderful as always with another inspiring scene showing the power of supportive relationships at the airport with Chris Pine’s character Bo, Barrett’s son.

Inspiring Themes:
• Having a Vision
• Courage
• Passion
• Perseverance
• Indestructible Optimism 
• Supportive Relationships
• Power of Community
• Innovation & Creative Thinking

I also learned more about making and appreciating a fine wine through this film. It was the same with Sherry’s presentation where I learned more about swishing, gargling and tilting my head around to let the wine reach all my taste buds. If you love wine I highly recommend seeing this hidden gem Bottle Shock and also check out the taste treasures that Karlo Estates offers!

True life stories and movies based on them can help inspire you through whatever challenges you face in life, work and in your career. They can encourage you to persevere with your dreams and goals and realize that maintaining your passion is the fuel to maintain your indestructible optimism. And while you're on your journey remember to enjoy a glass of delicious wine to celebrate the good times that life has to offer!

Related Tips:
Tip#1025: Be Inspired by Amazing True Stories, Part 10 – Lion
Tip#932: Childhood Passions, Part 2 – A Good Year



NEED SOME CHEERING UP?
SEE NOW: The Best Uplifting Movie Montage with a song written & performed by Emmanuel Lopez!

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

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



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

© Emmanuel Lopez 2017

Tip#1029: Learning to Love Yourself, Part 2 – How To Be Single

“Your relationship with yourself sets the tone for every other relationship you have.” 
Dr. Robert Holden

I recently treated a friend out to dinner to celebrate a big, exciting contract I completed and noticed how beautiful her wool scarf was. She lit up that I noticed it and explained that it actually was much larger and billowing but she washed it in hot water and the scarf had shrunk. I suddenly realized this was a metaphor for me.

It was just hours before that I had a 2nd session with Elias Abdel Ahad, International Rhythmical Massage Therapist. His latest insights afterwards had to do with me releasing inner fears and needing to embrace the vastness of who I truly am and what I’m all about. I knew he was right and it was the next level of learning to love myself more. That wool scarf was a magical, timely metaphor mirroring what my true, expansive self had become over the years.

Learning to love yourself isn’t about being self-absorbed or narcissistic. It’s about accepting, seeing, hearing and thanking every part of who you are. This is what I learned from my 1st session with Elias almost 14 weeks ago when he introduced me to Dr. Robert Holden’s books, specifically Loveability, as well as simple daily exercises to help clear and reprogram my thoughts and beliefs. During that time I experienced exciting breakthroughs and successes with my mental health, relationships and my work!

Here is an overview of the process I’ve followed for getting unstuck and learning to love myself more…

1) Bodywork for Releasing Trapped Emotions, Stress, Anxiety
• Rhythmical Massage Therapy: learn more 
• Physical exercise e.g. marathon walks, fly weights, etc.

2) Daily Exercises for Reprogramming (Affirmations, NLP, RAS, Future Pacing)
• Robert Holden books, Loveability
• Mirror exercises: see amazing scene from Angel-A film 
• Self-hugging exercises
• Treating yourself: Favourite foods, new clothes, etc.
• Affirmations: I accept you, I see you, I hear you, I thank you, I love you

3) Movies for Inspiration & Motivation
Tip#912: The Power of Emotional Release - Supergirl – Creed 
Tip#983: The Power of Emotional Release, Part 2 - Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru 
Tip#986: The Power of Emotional Release, Part 3 - A Monster Calls 
Tip#57: Activate The Power of Your Mind, Part 1 - 11 Movie Tips
Tip#836: Activate The Power of Your Mind, Part 2 - E-Motion
Tip#839: Activate The Power of Your Mind, Part 3 - Trapped Emotions – Pleasantville
Tip#831: Creative Visualization, Part 1 - Reticular Activating System (RAS) - Focus 



How To Be Single (2016)

The romantic comedy, How To Be Single, is about a group of New York City adults learning how to navigate life being single. This entertaining and hilarious film also had unexpected, heartfelt moments from an amazing cast that includes Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson, Alison Brie, Leslie Mann, Damon Wayans Jr., Anders Holm, Jake Lacy and Jason Mantzoukas. See: movie trailer

I was really surprised at how this film slowly evolved from a raunchy romcom into a movie with deep insights for anyone dealing with being single. One of these moments involves Leslie Mann’s character Meg having a playful and touching conversation with a baby on how she doesn’t need to have kids to feel complete. It’s a beautiful scene where this adorable baby says nothing but becomes a mirror for Meg to see a more loving truth about herself. See this scene

As for Dakota Johnson’s character, Alice, she eventually recognizes the beauty and benefits of being alone (and not lonely) and demonstrates what it is like to really love yourself. She learns to embrace what she truly desires from life and finds the courage and confidence to follow her dreams and goals.

Learning to love yourself could be one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. The results could be amazing changes in getting unstuck in your life, relationships and career. It takes courage and commitment to this personal growth so let your favourite movie heroes inspire you on your journey. Let them mirror the strength and love already inside you!

See: 31 Inspiring Quotes That Will Make You Love Yourself More

Related Tips:
Tip#630: Learning to Love Yourself – Angel-A 
Tip#1029: Learning to Love Yourself, Part 2 – How To Be Single
Tip#230: Fall In Love With Yourself - Paris Je T’aime
Tip#1013: How Movies Mirror Your Inner Strengths, Part 6 - PTSD - Prison Dogs



NEED SOME CHEERING UP?
SEE NOW: The Best Uplifting Movie Montage with a song written & performed by Emmanuel Lopez!

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

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



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

© Emmanuel Lopez 2017

Tip#1028: Resilience Resources, Part 22 – I Had a Black Dog, His Name Was Depression

Looking back at the month of January 2017, it will always remind me that great, uplifting opportunities in life and work can happen. I had spoken and facilitated a Q&A at the Hot Docs Cinema for the My Class Needs Foundation and was also hired to be a Movies-for-Motivation Consultant for a VP’s presentation at a major international company in the UK. It was a great time and my mental health was absolutely stable and feeling good!

Hot Docs Cinema, Toronto, January 16, 2017

But then I experienced a lapse of clinical depression symptoms that left me with a loss of concentration and ruminating, hopeless thoughts. It was only for a few days but it felt like weeks. I could actually feel my brain and body chemicals slowly alter and seep into my blood and mind slowing me down. I was highly aware I was slipping into a familiar dark place again. Thanks to the numerous therapies I’ve focused on I managed through it. Also good, supportive friends helped me identify and transform the catastrophic thinking (see tip#1027) that was triggering high anxieties.

Just before this lapse I discovered a fantastic animated short that thrilled me because it clearly demonstrated, in a clever creative way, what depression has been like for me for over 20 years. So even though I usually feature Hollywood movies on this blog I am eager to feature this short because it may help you or someone you know or work with.

I Had a Black Dog, His Name Was Depression (2012)

The animated short, I Had a Black Dog, His Name Was Depression, is based on the book written and illustrated by Matthew Johnstone telling his story and lessons learned from years dealing with depression. It is wonderfully illustrated and clearly communicated complex ideas into easy-to-understand messages. See it now below or click here

This short was produced in collaboration with the World Health Organization WHO, to mark World Mental Health Day, October 10th. I am so glad this was produced because now I have a video resource I can share with friends, family and my audiences that could help them better understand the profound struggles of depression. And though I am also a professional illustrator Matthew’s artwork was able to capture the essence of symptoms I’ve experienced. Here are stills from the video...

This illustration reflects how activities I used to enjoy no longer meant anything positive when feeling depression symptoms.

This illustration shows how I can lose concentration and focus when symptoms hit.

This illustration amazingly shows how my body feels when it's difficult to move my arms or legs (psycho motor retardation). It also shows how having depression is more devoid of any feelings rather than feeling sad.

This illustration is part of the solutions I use every day in the form of an app for my iPhone called Happynote where I write positive things that happened that day and what I am grateful for.

This illustration shows that depression or Black Dog may never go away but can be successfully managed and tamed.

I am very grateful for Matthew’s courage for sharing his story because his wonderful work inspired me as a fellow storyteller. It inspired me to continue sharing my own journey of how movies help me manage depression and how using my creative skills in writing, art, music, videos and motivational speaking keeps me activating my indestructible optimism!

If you have a loved one or co-worker that needs an uplifting animated short please forward this to them now. Movies of any length have the power to inspire, motivate and empower a person to find their inner strengths. They help people to persevere through any darkness they face. Most of all, movies can help them feel they are not alone in their challenges!

Related Tips:
Tip#896: Resilience Resources, Part 19 - Depression – J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Tip#855: How Movies Saved My Life, Part 1 - Depression & Mental Health – Tomorrowland
Tip#863: How Movies Saved My Life, Part 2 - Depression & Mental Health - Inside Out
Tip#958: Top 10 Inspiring Movies for Managing Depression

NEED SOME CHEERING UP?
Please see this movie montage I produced featuring favourite film clips and an original song I wrote and performed: Click here

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

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



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

© Emmanuel Lopez 2017

Tip#1027: Your Thoughts Have So Much Power, Part 3 – Catastrophic Thinking - Split

As of this writing there is turmoil and protests in the U.S. and around the world. I’ve been feeling some anxiety and am doing my best to stay positive despite the surreal news appearing daily in the headlines. Thankfully my go-to-solutions of movies always help to alleviate my mind of what cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) refers to as catastrophic thinking.

Catastrophic thinking can be defined as ruminating about irrational worst-case outcomes. And as I’ve written before watching a movie can halt the ruminating even if just for a few much needed hours (see tip#811). Some films, even horror films, can contain quotes that can make you feel better and even empower your positive thinking.



Split (2016)

The psychological horror film, Split, is about Kevin (James McAvoy) diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder and has 23 distinct personalities with a 24th monstrous one to emerge. This gripping story features a tour de force performance by McAvoy as well as Anya Taylor-Joy who plays one of three teenagers captured by Kevin. See: movie trailer

I’m not a huge fan of horror films but this is a standout movie from writer, director M. Night Shyamalan and I was attracted to the word-of-mouth buzz in the news. Shyamalan usually has a meaningful, thought-provoking concept in the films he writes and in this one there are two phrases that Kevin says that caught my attention…

“We become what we believe.” 

This quote touched me because it speaks to my years of study and research on the power of affirmations, neural linguistics (NLP), future pacing, vision statements, spiritual practices and other self-empowerment techniques designed to transform a negative mindset into a positive one. This has been a daily practice that continually strengthens my indestructible optimism and helps me manage clinical depression symptoms.

“The broken are the more evolved.” 

This quote also touched me because in dealing with mental health challenges or even traumatic life experiences have sometimes left me feeling broken. This statement felt empowering to imagine that anyone who feels broken is like having a hidden superpower. It’s an inner power that gets released when hit by unexpected crisis or overwhelming problems.

If you experience catastrophic thinking because of unpleasant news or problems you currently face remember that you can alleviate the ruminating in your head. Find a movie of any genre that attracts your attention and you have found a resource to help bring peace to your mind. You may even discover a movie quote that brings out your inner superhero strengths to move forward with overflowing confidence!

Related Tips:
Tip#332: Your Thoughts Have So Much Power – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Tip#1002: Your Thoughts Have So Much Power, Part 2 – Doctor Strange
Tip#1027: Your Thoughts Have So Much Power, Part 3 – Catastrophic Thinking - Split
Tip#1036: Your Thoughts Have So Much Power, Part 4 – Anxiety - The Space Between Us
Tip#549: Yes, You Can Alter Your Reality - Men in Black 3
Tip#577: Movie Quotes for Motivation, Part 1 – Believing & Faith



NEED SOME CHEERING UP?
SEE THIS VIDEO NOW: The Best Uplifting Movie Montage with a song written & performed by Emmanuel Lopez!

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

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



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

© Emmanuel Lopez 2017