Tip#1100: Be Inspired by Someone’s Journey, Part 2 - Dances with Wolves

"It seems every day ends with a miracle here. And whatever God may be, I thank God for this day.” 
Dances with Wolves (1990)

I had a re-energizing adventure spending three days at a friend’s home near the Etobicoke lakeshore. With a wonderful cottage vibe, the rainy weekend, the lush green of his garden, red cardinals singing and his playful Jack Russell and chubby tabby cat helped revitalize my spirit after a long bout with a cold virus that left me drained of energy. All these factors were excellent mental health therapy!

We also watched several movies that I recommended from my new Movies for Motivation website like Ready Player One, Breathe and Game Night. We also enjoyed lots of delicious popcorn and unique seasonings like white truffle oils and balsamic reduction. This awesome long weekend reminded me of how important it was to take time in nature and have fun social interactions while sharing tasty foods.

But sometimes it’s not possible to get out especially if you are dealing with clinical depression or stressful times. That’s why movies, especially ones that are favourites, can be empowering tools to lift your spirits, give you hope, and provide a mirror for your inner strengths to keep moving forward in your life or work.

Dances with Wolves (1990)

The western drama film, Dances with Wolves, is about civil war soldier, Lieutenant John Dunbar (Kevin Costner) whose life is transformed when he develops a friendship with Lakota Indians. This epic adventure is filled with sweeping vistas, riveting action scenes and engaging performances by Costner and co-stars Graham Green, Mary McDonnell, Rodney A. Grant and Tantoo Cardinal. See: movie trailer

This film is a true masterpiece that is highly entertaining while brimming with lessons on the love of nature, different cultures and fostering community. It also celebrates finding and being true to yourself no matter where it takes you in life. This is all elevated by an emotional soundtrack by the legendary John Barry which is absolutely majestic.

There are so many memorable scenes like the epic buffalo hunt, the Lakota trying sugar for the first time, romantic moments with Stands with a Fist and Dunbar befriending the wolf he named Two Socks. The film won seven Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director for actor Kevin Costner on his first directed feature.

Kevin Costner’s own journey of following his dream of making Dances With Wolves is also inspiring. I highly recommend you see this interview to hear why: Kevin Costner on The Graham Norton Show

I remember loving Dances with Wolves when it first came out and recently watched the four-hour director’s cut while I was dealing with a clinical depression symptoms. Thankfully the gorgeous, lush scenery and soaring music immediately brought me peace and comfort. The extra 50 minutes adds much more to the daily life and relationships of the Lakota as well as the romantic story.

This was the first time seeing the movie since I was diagnosed with clinical depression and I connected deeper with Dunbar as I witnessed him spend a lot of time alone in solitude. I felt I wasn't alone. We also shared an interest in drawing and in journaling our life experiences. Dunbar became a new cinematic role model for me as he demonstrated many inner strengths along his journey into the unknown.

Inspiring Themes:
• Passion
• Perseverance
• Resilience
• Indestructible Optimism
• Supportive Relationships
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Strategic Thinking
• Compassion
• Community
• Respecting Other Cultures 

In the end, seeing this movie again after many years mirrored the long journey I’ve had dealing with depression. And yet Dunbar’s journey of self-discovery, finding his true self, his community and then the love of his life inspired me to persevere with renewed hope. It also reminded me that I already had my own tribe of good friends and family for support.

Through good times and bad, each one of our journeys are meant to be shared with the love and support of friends and family. We also have the love of our pets and the beauty of nature to aid and ease our mental health and wellness. And if its not possible to be with others always remember you have your favourite movies and movie heroes to give you hope. They can inspire you to feel your inner strengths and indestructible optimism again!


Related Tips:
Tip#765: Be Inspired by Someone’s Journey - Tanzania: A Journey Within 
Tip#1100: Be Inspired by Someone’s Journey, Part 2 - Dances with Wolves

SEE NEW WEBSITE featuring 100's of movies from this blog listed A to Z!

See Now: Movies for Motivation A to Z

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE DEALING WITH
DEPRESSION OR DIFFICULT TIMES?
• READ: Top 10 Inspiring Movies for Managing Depression
• READ: Emmanuel & Depression featured in The Toronto Star
• LISTEN: Emmanuel's CBC Radio Interview on Movie Messages of Hope: The Fresh Air Show
• WATCH: Uplifting Movie Montage produced by Emmanuel Lopez!
• DISCOVER: 8 Creative Tools for Motivation & Depression

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

 

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker
Discover How Movies Inspire, Motivate & Empower You!
See website: www.motivatorman.com
 
© Emmanuel Lopez 2018

Tip#1099: The Uplifting Power of Nostalgia, Part 7 – The Movie Music of John Williams

For me it takes just two or three notes of movie music by John Williams to instantly trigger feel-good memories growing up! Nostalgia floods my mind of happy times of when I first saw these films as a child, in high school, in college and even in my years as a business owner. Feel-good brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin start flowing and then lifts my mental health where I feel like anything is possible!

Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

I recently attended another exhilarating live orchestra and choir screening of the third Harry Potter film at The Sony Centre where John Williams’s iconic themes were played. Seeing a live performance like this allowed me to discover how many wonderful solos were on this soundtrack that included violins, oboes, bassoons, harps and harpsichord. This score was also nominated for an Oscar and now I understand why it was a standout for the Harry Potter film scores! Listen: Lumos! Hedwig's Theme

Superman The Movie (1978) The Extended Cut

I finally got a chance to see Superman The Movie, The Extended Cut with 45 minutes of extra footage. Though it was fascinating to see these extra scenes I found they really slowed the pacing of a film I grew up loving. But Williams’s famous themes still sent my heart soaring especially Superman’s triumphant main theme, scenes of young Clark Kent leaving his mother in Smallville and Superman’s interview and romantic flight with Lois Lane. Pure cinematic magic! Listen: Superman's Main Theme

Jaws (1975)

As Jack Black’s character in the film The Holiday said, “BUH-BUHM! Two notes and you've got a villain. I don't know what to say about it. Totally brill!”. I remember so clearly the first time I saw Jaws in the summer of 1975  at The Golden Mile cinemas in Scarborough. It was so scary but also thrilling seeing it with an equally frightened audience. The music is just amazing and so simple. Just two notes! Totally brill! Listen: Jaws Main Theme

Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)

In the spring of 1977 and from the moment the title explodes onto the screen with the first orchestral notes I was hooked on Star Wars! I was at the Fairview Mall cinemas many years before their expanded renovations and remembered I had never heard a score like that before. And today, decades later, John Williams’s music still affects me emotionally with so much hope, adventure and optimism. Listen: Opening scene of Star Wars

I remember listening to the Star Wars LP record on the family record player in the living room countless times and it inspired me throughout my teenage years at high school. Today I am so excited that I have a ticket to see the live orchestra screening in January 2019 at the Roy Thomson Hall!

Other Memorable Themes

John Williams has created even more memorable themes from films like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T. The Extraterrestrial, Jurassic Park and Schindler’s List. He also composed two memorable themes for the 60’s TV show Lost in Space that I’ve always loved! As of 2018 Williams is the most nominated living person in Oscar history with 51 nominations. Yes Williams is my musical hero but not because of how nominations he’s received but because he has created music that will forever inspire me and move me deeply.

If you have favourite movie music that you loved growing up remember to listen to it whenever you want to lift your spirits and fill your heart with re-energizing nostalgia! See these movie soundtracks you grew up with as your personal empowerment and inspirational tools you can always count on to rejuvenate your positivity. Feel good today with an awesome cinematic score!



Related Tips:
Tip#356: Feel Good from Nostalgia - Big Trouble In Little China 
Tip#631: The Uplifting Power of Nostalgia, Part 1 - Paul Williams Still Alive 
Tip#862: The Uplifting Power of Nostalgia, Part 2 – Jurassic World 
Tip#891: The Uplifting Power of Nostalgia, Part 3 - The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension 
Tip#935: The Uplifting Power of Nostalgia, Part 4 – Logan’s Run
Tip#1019: The Uplifting Power of Nostalgia, Part 5 – E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Tip#1023: The Uplifting Power of Nostalgia, Part 6 – Rocky Balboa & Creed - Double Feature 
Tip#1099: The Uplifting Power of Nostalgia, Part 7 – The Music of John Williams

SEE NEW WEBSITE featuring 100's of movies from this blog listed A to Z!

See Now: Movies for Motivation A to Z

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE DEALING WITH
DEPRESSION OR DIFFICULT TIMES?
• READ: Top 10 Inspiring Movies for Managing Depression
• READ: Emmanuel & Depression featured in The Toronto Star
• LISTEN: Emmanuel's CBC Radio Interview on Movie Messages of Hope: The Fresh Air Show
• WATCH: Uplifting Movie Montage produced by Emmanuel Lopez!
• DISCOVER: 8 Creative Tools for Motivation & Depression

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

 

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker
Discover How Movies Inspire, Motivate & Empower You!
See website: www.motivatorman.com
 
© Emmanuel Lopez 2018

Tip#1098: Law of Attraction, Part 5 – The Benefits of Being Sick in Bed

You've Got Mail (1998)

I’ve been sick in bed with a cold for six days and finally getting better. I relentlessly and endlessly coughed up so much phlegm that I lost my voice. And yet I intuitively knew that I was doing a spiritual clearing and just envisioned the harsh, gross phlegm representing old, negative, destructive thoughts and beliefs that needed to leave my body!

Of course watching movies while having lots of hot ginger tea, Airborne tablets, soups and fresh pineapples loaded with vitamin C is part of healing process! Here's what I saw:

• Meet Dave
• The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
• The Firm
• Invincible
• Pacific Rim: Uprising
• Color of Money
• Payback

Awesome Audiobooks

In my delirious state in bed during the week I was using Law of Attraction to envision myself well and strong again and was soon guided to listening to amazing Law of Attraction audio books by Catherine Ponder. The first was called Open Your Mind To Receive and is 30 minutes long. The second was called The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity and is over 9 hours long which I'm only 1/3 through. I was so surprised I’d never heard of this author or book before but ironically I knew my thoughts, visioning and prayers had magnetized her work to me!

Vyoo Brand + Content Storytelling Event

I believe my cold and audiobook discoveries were the result of Law of Attraction actions that started weeks before when I attended a very fun storytelling event hosted by Vyoo Brand + Content at the beautiful Vintage Conservatory here in Toronto. I met so many wonderful, like-minded new friends and business contacts while being served delicious foods and wines! The sliders were outstanding! Big thanks to Henry Wong and Michelle Flynn for hosting!

We got to know each other more when we each shared a 5 to 10 minute story about ourselves on the theme of “Beginnings”. My story related to my exciting experiences with the Law of Attraction and how I manifested free tickets to the world premiere of Cloud Atlas here at TIFF 2012! It’s a very personal story and have not featured it in this movie blog before and yet sharing it for the first time publicly triggered a renewed interest in focusing on Law of Attraction techniques for my current goals.

More Awesome Audiobooks

This event actually led me to discovering an engaging audio presentation on Manifesting Prosperity by author Eddie Coronado who, in an interview on YouTube, enthusiastically talked about Stuart Wilde and his short book Miracles which led me to the audio presentation, Creating Miracles in Your Life. I really loved these videos and played them constantly before and after sleep and sometimes in the background while I worked on my dream project!

The Movies For Motivation Online Resource

My dream project is my current goal to finally sharing my new online resource of Movies For Motivation for people needing inspiration and hope. I’ve organized 100’s of blog tips in alphabetical order of movie titles and under motivational themes, top 10 or 20 lists and movie genres. It’s been months in the making and what a blissful experience! Also joyful were the countless hours I spent designing the cool graphics series to promote on social media! I’ve been posting one a day but you can get a sneak preview of the whole series here: Cool Graphics

Feeling good feelings are key to igniting well defined thoughts and goals for Law of Attraction to work. This is why I am trusting that this sudden cold and spiritual clearing was part of the process. All I know is that I discovered a wealth of audiobooks on YouTube that not only provided relief while lying sick in bed but also filled me with inspiring true stories and new tips for using Law of Attraction successfully!

If you find yourself sick in bed and feeling awful do your best to recognize that you somehow magnetized this experience for a higher purpose. And if the concept of the Law of Attraction intrigues you then be open to the wealth of how-to information online to feed your mind and heart with. The universe is waiting and excited for you to discover the magic that happens with the Law of Attraction!

Related Tips:
Tip#9: Law of Attraction, Part 1 - The Secret
Tip#32: Law of Attraction, Part 2 - Start Small - The Secret
Tip#35: Law of Attraction, Part 3 - When You Wish Upon A Star - Pinocchio
Tip#38: Law of Attraction, Part 4 - Believe It Or Not - The Secret
Tip#1098: Law of Attraction, Part 5 – The Benefits of Being Sick in Bed

SEE NEW WEBSITE featuring 100's of movies from this blog listed A to Z!

See Now: Movies for Motivation A to Z

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE DEALING WITH
DEPRESSION OR DIFFICULT TIMES?
• READ: Top 10 Inspiring Movies for Managing Depression
• READ: Emmanuel & Depression featured in The Toronto Star
• LISTEN: Emmanuel's CBC Radio Interview on Movie Messages of Hope: The Fresh Air Show
• WATCH: Uplifting Movie Montage produced by Emmanuel Lopez!
• DISCOVER: 8 Creative Tools for Motivation & Depression

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

 

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker
Discover How Movies Inspire, Motivate & Empower You!
See website: www.motivatorman.com
 
© Emmanuel Lopez 2018

Tip#1097: Remember Your Indestructible Optimism, Part 7 - Depression - Breathe

This past week saw two celebrities passing away unexpectedly due to suicidal depression. Fashion Designer Kate Spade and Chef Anthony Bourdain both took their own lives which instigated a stream of social media posts of people sharing their grief and raising awareness for more dialogue and understanding. Thankfully there was one key message I saw on Twitter that needed to be heard the loudest.

The message was that the people who need to reach out are not the ones suffering but are actually their friends, family or co-workers. I have faced the hopeless despair of suicidal depression many times and it is so utterly debilitating that it's not possible to reach out. But there is hope for people witnessing others in pain or in denial if they can take time to educate themselves of clinical depression symptoms and how they can offer some effective help.

I believe my work can be of great assistance because my struggles allowed me to document my journey on this movie blog and the films that helped me cope and survive for over ten years. For the past few months I’ve been working on a new website to organize over 1,000 blog posts for easier access for people dealing with depression or difficult times. Most importantly I also designed it for those co-workers, friends, family and loved ones who’ve been searching for a resource to better understand and helped those they see are suffering.

So I’m happy to say that my Movies for Motivation resource is completed enough to share right now. The films are in alphabetical order and there will be a section for top movie lists and a section for specific motivational themes such as perseverance, resilience and optimism. All the movie titles feature personal stories of how 100’s of Hollywood movies helped me through clinical depression & other adversities in my life, career & business. Please share this link with those who could use this resource right now. See: www.MoviesForMotivation.com

Breathe (2017)

The biographical film, Breathe, is about Robin Cavendish (Andrew Garfield), who became paralyzed from the neck down by polio at age 28, and the loving support of his wife Diana (Claire Foy), son Jonathan and the rest of his family and friends. This visually stunning and emotionally rich story is filled with many heartfelt moments and uplifting, inspiring scenes. See: movie trailer

I was dealing with depression symptoms when, after prayer and meditation, I felt intuitively guided to watch this movie. The wonderful music and the pure optimism saturating each scene immediately soothed the ruminating of my negative thoughts and feelings of hopelessness. Diana’s love and support for Robin was truly epic to witness especially when Robin initially asked to let him die due to his growing depression. She remained strong for him when he wasn’t able to be. This is one of the greatest love stories I’ve ever seen.

Witnessing Robin’s struggles in losing his ability to move his entire body is difficult and yet his will to live and ability to innovate new ways of achieving a more normal life while stuck to a bed and breathing machine is exhilarating and so life affirming! He and his wife were pioneers in healthcare and that is another highly inspirational aspect as they help change the world together.

Inspiring Themes:
• Passion
• Perseverance
• Resilience
• Indestructible Optimism
• Supportive Relationships
• A Vision of a Better World
• Having a Vision
• Problem Solving
• Creative Thinking

The story behind the making of this film is also intriguing which I discovered watching the TIFF 2017 Conference on YouTube. Robin’s son Jonathan grew up to be a film producer and pitched the story of his parents to his close friend and business partner Andy Serkis. Serkis is an actor more known for his groundbreaking motion capture work as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Kong and Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Serkis was so moved that he made the story his directorial debut and, in the press conference interview, perfectly described my feelings about the film…

“It’s such an incredibly vivid, brilliant, vibrant and witty take on disaster… The essence of this movie is hope, the essence of this movie is love and the essence of Robin and Diana is this incredible wit and humour. That was reflected in every single aspect of making this film."

Some situations in life can appear to be utterly hopeless and it’s important to remember that the primary solution for moving through the darkness is doing it together. It is the love and support of family, friends, loved ones, co-workers and colleagues that can help each of us facing the blackness of despair and depression.

And uplifting movies can help in these dark times. Find a film and let these characters be shining cinematic role models of indestructible optimism for you or someone you care about today!



Related 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#1058: Remember Your Indestructible Optimism, Part 5 - TIFF 2017 - Mary Shelley 
Tip#1095: Remember Your Indestructible Optimism, Part 6 - Solo: A Star Wars Story in 4DX
Tip#1097: Remember Your Indestructible Optimism, Part 7 - Depression - Breathe

Tip#998: Top 20 Inspiring Movies for Indestructible Optimism!
Tip#200: How To Build Indestructible Optimism - Top 9 Movie Tips
Tip#638: Praying, Faith & Indestructible Optimism - Unconditional

SEE NEW WEBSITE featuring 100's of movies from this blog listed A to Z!

See Now: Movies for Motivation A to Z

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE DEALING WITH
DEPRESSION OR DIFFICULT TIMES?
• READ: Top 10 Inspiring Movies for Managing Depression
• READ: Emmanuel & Depression featured in The Toronto Star
• LISTEN: Emmanuel's CBC Radio Interview on Movie Messages of Hope: The Fresh Air Show
• WATCH: Uplifting Movie Montage produced by Emmanuel Lopez!
• DISCOVER: 8 Creative Tools for Motivation & Depression

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

 

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker
Discover How Movies Inspire, Motivate & Empower You!
See website: www.motivatorman.com
 
© Emmanuel Lopez 2018