True Stories About Movies That Motivate
CHAPTER 1: TRUE STORIES ABOUT MOVIES THAT MOTIVATE: Excerpted from Movies for Motivation: How to Stay Strong in Your Life and Career by Emmanuel Lopez a.k.a. Motivatorman
“When I go to see a film. I want to be surprised. I want to see something I never expected. And when you get that, it should be celebrated.” Tom Hanks
Are you feeling stuck in your life or career? Is your path a painful journey, depleting you of energy and enthusiasm? We all experience obstacles and challenges when we least expect them; the key to persevering is to keep energized, develop a positive mindset and find caring, supportive people to encourage you forward.
Writing my award-winning blog, Movies that Motivate, has allowed me to connect with movie lovers around the world and hear about their favorite films that helped them persevere in difficult times. Along the way, I also developed a passion for social media like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. I was amazed at how fast I could build supportive relationships online with like-minded individuals. I had discovered the magic of social media! With our shared passion for movies, we used social media to encourage one another to keep moving forward, no matter what challenges we faced. And we would discover new films to help inspire each of us when it was needed most!
Here are eight examples…
ROCKY III (1982)
For financial peace of mind
I first connected with American author and film director Paul Kyriazi, living in Japan, through LinkedIn. From there, we continued to build a supportive friendship via Facebook. I bonded quickly with Paul through our shared passion for movies and his unique personal development course and book, How to Live the James Bond Lifestyle. Over the years, he would remind me of one of his favorite movies that helped him from falling into the abyss, which was ROCKY III. He said this film and the theme song, “Eye of the Tiger,” helped him stay positive during a financial crisis he experienced while directing films in Hollywood. Paul resonated with the lyrics “Don’t give up on the dreams of the past, you must fight just to keep them alive.” And while the song played over the opening montage, Paul said the shots of money and success were very inspiring to see. Later, when he received a “giant” cheque and deposited it in his bank, an outdoor speaker nearby started to play “Eye of the Tiger.” Paul looked out at the ocean, listening to the song, and he just smiled.
HAPPY FEET (2006)
For finding your rhythm in life again
I met Wellness Guide & Luxury Travel Specialist Robin Noble via LinkedIn, and we quickly became close friends. She amazed me by sharing her story of being in a devastating car accident where she shattered the bones in her body and face. It was a painful recovery, and yet she said the animated movie HAPPY FEET inspired her to stay positive. Robin says she identified with the character Mumbles, who discovered his rhythm and talent for dancing after much anxiety and discouragement. Robin had to learn how to walk and talk again, as well as find her rhythm again. Today, she is doing very well, and there is almost no trace of the accident on her face. She is also brimming with positivity. And I think I’ve even seen her shake her booty when she thought I wasn’t looking!
THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939)
For life lessons, we learn from people
I met film producer Melanie Lentz-Janney at a premiere screening of her award-winning documentary on Rick Springfield called AN AFFAIR OF THE HEART. I was honored to spend quality time with her and her fellow filmmakers of this very inspiring documentary. Melanie shared that her all-time favorite movie, THE WIZARD OF OZ, was chock full of incredible life lessons for her. She firmly believed that people come into our lives to help us find our way, just like in the film. Dorothy learned to think for herself by meeting the Scarecrow. She then explores the vastness of her heart by meeting the Tin Man, and begins to develop courage as she travels side by side with the Cowardly Lion. Amazingly, Melanie experienced a similar, magical journey full of synchronicities as she followed her passion and dream to create her documentary on Springfield. He just happened to be from Oz (Australia) and has an album called Living in Oz!
FIELD OF DREAMS (1989)
For persevering at work
I met six-time Emmy Award-winning media expert Shawne Duperon at a fantastic two-day media workshop she facilitated. On the first day, we bonded immediately over our passion for movies like HEREAFTER and the HARRY POTTER series. Since then, we’ve corresponded regularly via Facebook, sharing our thoughts and enthusiasm for the latest film releases. Shawne told me that she loved FIELD OF DREAMS because it’s all about believing and dancing in possibility. So when she feels scared and thinks she is crazy for pursuing certain projects, she gets re-inspired by this movie and the quote, “If you build it, they will come.” She even listens to the soundtrack to remind her of her courage.
CITIZEN KANE (1941)
For uplifting your spirit
I first connected with Emmy Award-winning film critic and host, Manny the Movie Guy, on Facebook and immediately discovered his Facebook postings were just as fun and playful as his online interviews with exciting movie stars and filmmakers! He has since been an avid supporter of my mission to show people how movies motivate, and I am grateful to social media for connecting us. As you can imagine, Manny sees a lot of films, and he told me that when he sees a truly horrible movie, he cannot wait to go home and watch CITIZEN KANE again. He says this classic film is a work of art that helps lift his cinematic soul and reminds him to believe in the magic of movies all over again!
JULIE & JULIA (2009)
For persevering through health challenges
My close friend and wellness blogger, Lynn Manwar, is one of the most courageous women I know. She has faced chemotherapy and beaten cancer twice in her life. And even during treatments, she shared her story with enthusiasm with the world via her blog and Facebook posts. She would proudly post photos of her bald head, give updates on healing resources she’s used and post calls for help when she needed it. Her optimism and zest for life are truly amazing! Lynn shared with me that a movie prescription I had given her, JULIE & JULIA, helped inspire her to create a blog called Wellness Detective. Writing the blog allowed her to share her wellness tips and stories, which in turn gave her purpose and drive. Lynn said that my encouragement to let the true life story of blogger Julie Powell inspire her own potential helped her life mission to explode into a new world online. In return, I am inspired by her success and hope you are too.
THE MATRIX (1999)
For inspiring leadership
I first met best-selling author and CEO of Zappos, Tony Hsieh, via Twitter, and soon after, met him in person when he invited me to tour his Las Vegas headquarters. I was immediately inspired by Tony when I saw his interview with Oprah because he was a strong believer in following your passion and in building community in the workplace and online. In his best-selling book Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profit, Passion and Purpose, he presents a quote from the movie THE MATRIX. “There’s a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.” Tony told me this quote, spoken by the character Morpheus, also represents great leadership in that Morpheus doesn’t tell Neo, the film’s hero, what to do. Instead, he nudges Neo and allows him to grow and learn for himself over time. This is the same approach Tony took when building his businesses, such as Zappos. And although Tony has experienced many challenges along his path, he’s had many successes, such as the Zappos sale to Amazon for $1.2 billion. The Zappos work culture has also inspired other businesses to follow their example, building a sense of community and fun.
OVERBOARD (1987)
For feeling happier
As of this writing, I have not met Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon, although when I do, I am going to thank her for announcing to the world at the 84th Academy Awards that her favorite movie was OVERBOARD. To over 39.9 million viewers, she shared that when she’s really not feeling great, she likes to watch Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell in this comedy. She said OVERBOARD just gets into her soul and makes her happy. People laughed, and so did I. However, I also knew that she was just sharing something that was meaningful to her, even if others didn’t agree. Reese was helping people be open to the magic of any film that can inspire and lift one’s spirit.
“Life's like a movie; write your own ending, keep believing..." Jim Henson
Trust Your Heart, Gut & Intuition
As you can see, I connected with some well-known individuals through social media. This is part of the magic and power of sharing what is meaningful to you on sites like Facebook and LinkedIn. Building supportive relationships can be just as successful online as in person. Sharing your passions can be the glue that allows you to discuss topics such as movies that hold deep meaning for you, as well as personal success stories that highlight overcoming adversity.
These inspiring stories are meant to help you stay open to any kind of movies that come your way, filled with motivating and empowering messages. Sometimes the answers we seek are right in front of us, and yet we don’t recognize them because we expect them to look a certain way. That’s why I recommend trusting your heart, gut and intuition when you resonate with a movie title that calls to you. Be open to exploring a movie that falls into your lap synchronistically or is recommended by a friend, or even a stranger. Movies can help you tap into your positive emotional energy and help you learn more about who you truly are!
Take Action:
So what movie are you going to watch today?
“I had a professor once who liked to tell his students that there are only 10 different plots in all of fiction. Well, I’m here to tell you he was wrong. There is only one… Who am I?”
The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
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Emmanuel Lopez, a.k.a. Motivatorman, is an award-winning illustrator, author, speaker, movie blogger, content creator, host of High Notes Movie Club, self-care influencer, and foodie. He has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Globe & Mail and CBC Radio. His first book, Movies for Motivation, is available on Amazon Kindle and features the top 55 films that helped him through years of clinical and seasonal depression.
Emmanuel founded his upcoming new Self-Care Superhero venture to share his lived-experience tips on how uplifting art, films, foods and a wide range of re-energizing activities can empower people to cope successfully with depression and difficult times.
Contact & Links:
www.Motivatorman.com
Movies for Motivation on Amazon
