Opening Our Eyes: Change-Makers in this World

don't just think about making changeI was able to see a movie last week which was $7.99 to download but which I found to be priceless. It’s called Opening Our Eyes and it’s about change-makers.  Change-makers are ordinary people like you and me that are making a change in this world. This film has changed the way I think about why I’m here on this earth. I definitely WANT to make a change in this world. I don’t want to just simply occupy space here, you know?  (By the way, if you want to see an interview with the mother and daughter team who created the film, see the Good Life Project here.)

Addendum as of 3/12/14 – the price of the download has gone down to $6.99!

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I’m Fine, Thanks

The title of this post is also the title of a movie that I just downloaded and watched earlier today, for the small sum of $5.  It was $5 so well spent. Here’s the link that you want to click on for sure:  I’m Fine, Thanks.

It’s a movie about people who have realized that maybe what most people think is the American dream really isn’t their dream. Some of them had already attained the things you’re supposed to want and work to get. Some had a nice house or condo, a good salary that they brought home, but a job which gave them no sense of fulfillment.  One woman, Victoria, breaks down in tears talking about how she made the choice to go to law school and how sometimes you make a decision and then other decisions get made, sometimes by your choice and sometimes just as inevitable result.  God, I really identified with her.

One man in the movie talks about how he had a really good corporate consulting career. It was a job that he said many of his friends would kill for. Unfortunately for him, he needed to drink coffee all day long. Then, he finally turned to Red Bull.  And that was literally just to get through the day.  That’s not healthy.

One of the persons that they interviewed is Jonathan Fields of the Good Life Project. He was a lawyer that worked so much in his first career that he literally ended up with a hole in his gut (abscess on his intestines.)  If you haven’t checked out his website, you should. He posts so many good videos and they are all so inspiring, even when the story that’s being told is one of great sadness at times.

I should say that the movie came about because the narrator realized that he had wanted to make movies and act as a child, but as he got older, he realized that wasn’t safe.   He finally got to the point in life where he had the beautiful wife, two kids and house in the suburbs.   All that stuff we are supposed to want, and should feel happy having. But he didn’t. He said he felt like he was living his life through someone else’s script.  How many of us have felt like that? But then felt too afraid to do something about it??  He did it – for three months, he traveled over 10,000 miles with some friends who helped with the production in many ways, and they put the movie together. And it’s great. I think it can even be life-changing.

Please PLEASE go watch this movie – you can download it and watch it over and over again on all of your devices.  And please know, I am not being paid anything or being compensated in any way to say these things about the movie. I’m telling you about it because I sense a lot of us out there wish our life was different but we just don’t do anything about it. And this blog is about changing that, or at the very least, my changing that where I’m concerned.

And after having seen this movie and being so inspired to write about it, I’m going to find more movies like it that I can watch and then tell you about.  Sound good??

Until tomorrow’s post…….

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Follow your heart, people.

” Happiness is Not a Limited Resource” — Chris Aiff

I wish I could have the introspection and insight of the young man to whom this quote is attributed. I really can’t improve upon his wisdom and that of his family in the video below. The first time I watched it, it really clicked and as many people who have commented on it on YouTube said, it really affected the way I look at things. If we are unhappy, it’s because we make ourselves unhappy. We can choose to go that route, or to go the route of happiness. I choose the latter.

Please let me know what you think of this video. I watched it again tonight and it had a profound impact on me again. I’ll write about my progress that I usually note on Mondays on a later post this week.

Enjoy.  Even if you cry like I did the first time I saw this, I assure you, the second time through, you will be smiling at his outlook.

Maybe…just maybe…yes

Resilience

I saw a friend’s resume the other day and was really impressed. She is a writer in the tried and true sense of the word. She has her MFA in creative writing and has been published many, many times. I asked her how she got so many pieces published and said how I would feel so afraid of rejection. She acknowledged she has been rejected many times, but it just fuels her to keep going. This person has gone through a lot in life so I was really inspired to hear her say that. And it got me thinking…

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Blue Hydrangeas

A blue hydrangea that bloomed until a few days ago.
A blue hydrangea that bloomed until a few days ago.

Blue hydrangeas. They are my favorite flower and have been as far back as I can remember. I’m not sure if it was because I saw them in Martha’s Vineyard and they were so plentiful near the water, but the image of seeing them as the ferry neared the island has always stuck with me. Read more

Whoever you are, thank you

Clouds at sunset
Clouds at sunset

As part of my writing class, I’m part of a private Facebook group that has been asked about our ideal reader.  What does our ideal reader or our audience look like, etc.? I’ll be honest, I don’t have a particular type of person in mind. I’m just grateful that someone out there is reading this, and that some have taken the time to leave comments. Read more

Little Things for Which I am Thankful

My cool dude, Sebastian
My boy, Sebastian, as modified within the photo app, Snapseed.

I am trying something new this week and writing this post as the week goes along so that I don’t miss something. It’s kind of like a gratitude journals of sorts.  Read more

Little Things for which I am Thankful

This makes me glad to be alive.
This makes me glad to be alive.

I intended for this post to be written last week but it was crazy busy and it just didn’t get done. I’m going to try to get into the habit of writing a lot on the weekends and early mornings before the days get away from me. I’ve got a major thing to be thankful for over the past week, and it involves my brother.  Read more

Epic Ride

My brother after running Boston for at least the 3rd time.
My brother after running Boston for at least the 3rd time. Note the finisher’s medal!

This coming holiday weekend, my younger brother has an epic road trip planned. He lives in NYC, and wants to come visit me. However, he doesn’t like the bus because he feels cramped (he’s about 6 feet tall.) So, he has decided to get here under (mainly) his own power. Yes, he’s going to ride here on his bike. And no, it’s not a scooter or a motorcycle. I mean, a real bicycle…… Read more