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HOW TO SEE MOVIES AS INSPIRATIONAL LEARNING TOOLS - Over 1,000 Movie Tips For Dealing with Depression & Difficult Times
Tip#1171: The Power of Art Therapy, Music Therapy & More!
Me at my Rain of Angels Music CD Launch Party - November 24, 1999
Today I am celebrating the 20 year anniversary of the release of my debut music CD, Rain of Angels! It was a dream come true and, in so many ways, was powerful therapy for me to create the music and artwork for the CD. My clinical depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) wasn’t diagnosed in 1999 nor was it even on my radar that I was suffering from a mental illness. Either way I feel now that my music, lyrics and art saved me. Read more about the story behind each song: Rain of Angels Music CD
Looking back I feel so grateful I was able to express my feelings of loneliness and depression through music on my keyboard or write these feelings down through lyrics. It was cathartic and these actions always re-energized me. And when I decided to record these songs for an album, that goal gave me a sense of purpose and focus each morning I woke up. See: 3 Music Videos from Rain of Angels Music CD
In the mid 90’s while I was writing and recording my album I was running my illustration business so I enjoyed creating the artwork for the CD cover and 16 page booklet! The actions of exploring colours and textures with Photoshop excited me and made any low, depressed moods disappear. The rich, vibrant colours I looked at every day on my computer screen was like medicine for my mind. Read more about my personal experiences: How to Cope with Depression
Cinema therapy became a huge coping tool since 2000 just after the release of my music CD. I slipped into a deep depression that lasted a year and movies like Groundhog Day, The Shawshank Redemption and more helped keep me moving forward when life seemed hopeless. I began doing motivational talks on the inspirational power of films and started writing this movie blog in 2006 to document and share my film tips with others around the world. I found that movies have a way of alleviating the ruminating of negative thoughts quickly and gave my brain a rejuvenating rest for a few hours. Read more: Top 10 Inspiring Movies for Managing Depression
Find a film to inspire & empower you: Movies For Motivation
When I was diagnosed with clinical depression in 2015 I was prescribed to attend a 14 week group therapy program for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). This was a life changing experience and helped provide so many tools for managing the negative thoughts, emotions, moods, beliefs and attitudes that came with mental illness. More about: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
I was then diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in 2018 and was prescribed a 16 week Day Treatment Program that included four different group therapy sessions. Once again I found this to be life changing especially for the insights the psychiatrists and others in the group shared that helped me make breakthrough epiphanies about the roots of my depression.
I am currently part of a 10 week Mindfulness Therapy Group that involves emotion-focused therapy (EFT). It explores that lacking emotional awareness or avoiding unpleasant emotions can cause harm to one’s self. So far this program is profoundly helping me unearth and heal the traumas of childhood bullying I experienced in school. Read more
There are many other therapies I am engaged in that I highly recommend such as Writing Therapy, Food Therapy, Pet Therapy, Nature Therapy, Shopping Therapy and more. Therapy used to be a negative, shameful term in my mind but now realize that it represents a sense of freedom and a method for releasing me from the chains of past trauma and hopelessness. I hope you are inspired today to seek out the type of therapy that will give you peace of mind and soothe your soul. You deserve it!
• Top Movies as Inspirational Learning Tools: www.Movies for Motivation.com
• Social Media Consulting Services: www.SocialMediaWingman.com
Remember How Movies Can Help You:
Award-winning Illustrator | Movie Blogger | Speaker | Foodie
Discover Movies As Inspirational Learning Tools!
© Emmanuel Lopez 2019
Posted by Emmanuel Lopez - Motivatorman at 5:47 PM No comments:
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Sunday, November 17, 2019
Tip#1170: Just Have Fun, Part 10 - Charlie’s Angels 2019
It’s been a difficult week dealing with work challenges and facing emotional revelations from a Mindfulness Group Therapy program I’ve been attending (see tip#1169). Plus seasonal affective disorder symptoms have been up and down as the new icy weather begins to chill me to the bone. Thankfully I’ve been treating my inner child to fun and uplifting shopping therapy!
Last weekend I was starting to feel frustrated dealing with a work related issue when I remembered to focus on the positive future outcome I wanted. So I started to reprogram my thoughts with positive words. I later saw these fun socks while at a mall and the sight of sunny side up eggs triggered happy childhood memories!
The sight of sunny side up eggs always reminds me of happy breakfast times with my family growing up. When I saw these socks I could feel positive emotional energy fill my body and mind. So I bought them! Positive words and positive emotional energy does wonders to transform a mood. Especially now that I have these cool socks!
And, of course, my favourite feel-good therapy are watching Hollywood movies for transforming my low moods! Here’s one film that I am so grateful injected my wintery day with the warmth of some fun and laughter!
The action comedy, Charlie’s Angels, continues the story from the 70’s TV series and two theatrical films and now features Sabina (Kristen Stewart), Elena (Naomi Scott) and Jane (Ella Balinska) as the new generation of Angels working for a private detective agency. This fun and fast paced action comedy deals with stopping the sale of a powerful energy conservation device. The movie also stars Elizabeth Banks. Djimon Hounsou and Patrick Stewart as the Bosleys.
Watch now: Amazon Prime
This movie was so much fun did not expect to instantly like all of these new characters. Part of the fun is also how it nostalgically integrates the original TV series from the 70’s and the two movies from the 2000’s. Plus there are lots of cameos though out the film. Director, writer and star Elizabeth Banks created a great girl power story with empowerment messages for young and old that just wants to entertain and let you have a good time. Kristen Stewart also surprised me with how quirky and goofy she was while also being able to kick ass and use cool tech stuff!
If you are having a difficult time at work or in life always remember how easy it is to have a fun film take you away for awhile. Let some comedy or action movie relieve your stress for an hour or two. Sometimes a little fun is what the doctor would order! Find a movie today to inject you with feel-good energy!
Tip#1101: Just Have Fun, Part 9 - Ant-Man and the Wasp
• Top Movies as Inspirational Learning Tools: www.Movies for Motivation.com
• Award-winning Illustrations: www.EmmanuelLopez.com
• Social Media Consulting Services: www.SocialMediaWingman.com
Remember How Movies Can Help You:
A) Entertain & Escape
B) Re-energize & Release
C) Inspiration & Motivation
Award-winning Illustrator | Movie Blogger | Speaker | Foodie
Discover Movies As Inspirational Learning Tools!
© Emmanuel Lopez 2019
Posted by Emmanuel Lopez - Motivatorman at 2:45 PM No comments:
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Sunday, November 10, 2019
Tip#1169: Connecting with Your Inner Child, Part 12 - PTSD - Doctor Sleep
As mentioned in tip#1162 I started exploring Complex PTSD to help me face the long buried trauma of childhood bullying at school. I recently started reading the book, Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving: A Guide and Map for Recovering from Childhood Trauma by Pete Walker and just looking at the opening pages of testimonials got me emotional.
I felt that this book was going to open a dark door back to my childhood and help me heal the hidden fears and subconscious beliefs that have been sabotaging my dreams and goals in my adult years. I’m taking baby steps with this book but I immediately resonated with the term “emotional flashbacks” and read the 13 steps of how to deal with these since I have these flashbacks daily. Download: 13 Steps PDF
At the same time I’ve started a 10 week Mindfulness Therapy Group that I’m excited about because it will further help me quiet my mind from daily distractions through group meditation. We can then discuss troubling thoughts that bubble up to the surface. The program involves EFT (emotion focused therapy) and I’m already improving my listening to my hurt inner child that is trying to speak to me whenever I feel mini anxiety attacks or depression. These are actually flashbacks and, hopefully, the cause of chronic issues in my life and work.
And of course, through the magic of the universe and cinema medicine, I was synchronistically led to seeing a film that dealt directly with Complex PTSD and inspired me to step as deep as I can into the darkness full of courage and indestructible optimism!
The supernatural horror film, Doctor Sleep, is the continuation of Danny Torrance's story 40 years after the terrifying events of Stephen King's The Shining. Danny (Ewan McGregor) struggles with childhood trauma but harnesses his psychic abilities to help Abra (Kyliegh Curra) to fight Rose the Hat (Rebecca Ferguson) and her cult of “shine” eating immortals. This highly entertaining and riveting film is filled with scares and thrilling scenes which also stars Cliff Curtis, Carl Lumbly and Zahn McClarnon.
Watch now: Amazon Prime
I’m not a fan of horror films and wasn’t a big fan of The Shining movie but this film was so unique in that it has visually stunning sequences highlighting the “shine” powers of Abra and Danny. The battle scenes with Rose the Hat are fantastic! The story also shows how Danny moves through his alcoholic addictions, finds help and caring people who support him, and even finds a profound use of his “shine” gifts for hospice work. I highly recommend this film as an inspirational learning tool for any kinds of recovery work or self-healing journeys.
Facing childhood traumas can be a frightening idea. And yet cinema is filled with stories dealing with how wounded childhoods affect adulthood in profound and tragic ways. But your future can look bright thanks to the movie heroes who triumph over their childhood demons and can become your cinematic role models for success and courage. Find a film today to inspire your inner child to be brave and resilient!
Tip#1162: Connecting with Your Inner Child, Part 11 - It Chapter One (2017) - It Chapter Two (2019)
• Top Movies as Inspirational Learning Tools: www.Movies for Motivation.com
• Award-winning Illustrations: www.EmmanuelLopez.com
• Social Media Consulting Services: www.SocialMediaWingman.com
Remember How Movies Can Help You:
A) Entertain & Escape
B) Re-energize & Release
C) Inspiration & Motivation
Award-winning Illustrator | Movie Blogger | Speaker | Foodie
Discover Movies As Inspirational Learning Tools!
© Emmanuel Lopez 2019
Posted by Emmanuel Lopez - Motivatorman at 8:38 AM No comments:
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Sunday, November 03, 2019
Tip#1168: Learning through Movies, Part 6 – Modern Love – Jojo Rabbit
I recently watched the most amazing, emotional show on depression and bipolar disorder starring Anne Hathaway. It’s an episode of new TV series Modern Love on Amazon Prime Video that was called “Take Me As I Am, Whoever I Am”. It clearly depicted the joyful highs of this mental illness and the devastating lows. And though my symptoms with clinical depression and seasonal affective disorder are not as severe it was still painful to watch. A few scenes made me cry while, at the same time, I knew this show would be groundbreaking in teaching others about clinical depression.
Watch it now: Modern Love, Episode 3
Anne Hathaway plays, Lexi, a real-life character in a true story based on Terri Cheney’s experiences who hid her mental illness as an entertainment lawyer in New York City. The show begins with many bright, fun and comedic moments in a grocery store. There’s even a fantasy scene where the lead character breaks into a song and dance number! And then the mood shifts and hits home of how this invisible disability becomes visible for the viewer as she is shown unable to get out of bed for days.
Read Terri Cheney’s New York Times interview: Coming Out as Bipolar in Modern Love and Reliving It on TV
Ironically I saw this episode of Modern Love at the same time I saw the new movie Jojo Rabbit that won the People’s Choice Award at TIFF 2019. The film also had a mix of fun, comedic moments mixed with the darkness of World War II Nazi era. It also had big life lessons for the viewers.
The satirical black comedy film, Jojo Rabbit, is about Jojo (Roman Griffin Davis) a lonely German boy and Hitler Youth who finds out his single mother (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish girl (Thomasin McKenzie) in their attic. This highly entertaining story is filled with the wild humour of director Taika Waititi who also stars as a wacky version of Adolf Hitler. The film also stars Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson and Stephen Merchant.
Watch now: Amazon Prime
Like the 1997 Italian film, Life is Beautiful, this movie puts on rose coloured glasses to add a bright, humorous light to the darkness of Nazi Germany. Through the innocent eyes of Jojo we get to see the lighter, sense of fun and adventure of what unfolded in his life. And his fantasy friend, Hitler, was actually unexpectedly hilarious and silly in every scene he was in! And, without giving anything away, the sad and painful realities of life come in to deliver home important life lessons the movie wants us to hear loud and clear. We see that different races and religions can learn to love and understand one another.
Just like in the lyrics “a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down” so does the use of comedy in movies and TV shows to deliver important messages. A sense of fun helps to raise awareness of the realities of prejudice, war and mental illness. Learning through movies can leave a lasting impression to apply in your own life. Find a film today to open your mind and heart!
Tip#874: Laugh & Learn – Trainwreck
Tip#1138: Learning through Movies, Part 5 – Remembering Queen Video – Romantics Anonymous – Danny Deckchair
• Top Movies as Inspirational Learning Tools: www.Movies for Motivation.com
• Award-winning Illustrations: www.EmmanuelLopez.com
• Social Media Consulting Services: www.SocialMediaWingman.com
Remember How Movies Can Help You:
A) Entertain & Escape
B) Re-energize & Release
C) Inspiration & Motivation
Award-winning Illustrator | Movie Blogger | Speaker | Foodie
Discover Movies As Inspirational Learning Tools!
© Emmanuel Lopez 2019
Posted by Emmanuel Lopez - Motivatorman at 8:50 AM No comments:
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Emmanuel Lopez - Motivatorman
Emmanuel Lopez aka Motivatorman is an award-winning Illustrator, Movie Blogger, Author and Motivational Speaker providing lived-experience SELF-CARE tips and SELF MOTIVATION strategies for inspiring INDESTRUCTIBLE OPTIMISM in the face of depression and difficult times. He has been featured in The NEW YORK TIMES, The WASHINGTON POST, The GLOBE & MAIL and CBC Radio. Speaker Clients: TD Canada Trust, Investors Group, The Art Institute of Boston and Royal Ontario Museum. WEBSITE: www.EmmanuelLopez.com