I started out today not feeling particularly strong, wise or sure of myself.
At times like that I wonder, “What can I teach anybody else about empowerment when I can’t hardly even inspire myself?”
Then, I read in A Course in Miracles: “As you teach so shall you learn.”
So, I changed the question to, “What do I need to learn today about inspiring myself?”
The first thing that came to my mind was this quote from one of my favorite superhero movies:
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“And why do we fall, Bruce? So we can learn to pick ourselves up.” — Thomas Wayne, Batman Begins (Christopher Nolan, 2005)
Next thing you know I found myself on You Tube watching the movie trailer …
After watching this short movie clip my excitement level increased and my heart is beating faster. My real-life problems seem to fade in comparison to the almighty “war between good and evil” being waged in Gotham City. Like my hero, Batman, I feel inspired to face and EMBRACE my worst fears and conquer them. I forget that moments ago I thought I wasn’t good enough as a woman because now I’m a legend in my own mind! My spirit soars! I feel like I can take on the world!
For the record, this is not pure escapism — although there’s a proper time and place for that as well.
It has been proven that our subconscious minds cannot tell the difference between a real experience and an imagined one. Because of this, the feelings of power and excitement generated by my brief Batman “fix” are as real to me as if I actually was a superhero.
You can read more about the importance of positive visualization and the imagination in these online articles: Visualize for Success, Helping Athletes Go for the Gold, and NLP, Positive Thinking and Visualization.
The burst of energy I felt from my little “magic movie pill” inspired me to write a blog, create a new piece of artwork, write an important business letter, pay some bills, wash a couple loads of laundry, and attend an art discussion meeting. There was a “snowball effect” as each of those activities in turn inspired new ideas and activities. And guess what? I’m feeling pretty strong, wise and sure of myself now!
That’s why I decided to create a BRAND NEW library of movie clips for us, you and me, to use when we need a quick pick-me-up. I’ve screened hundreds of movie clips, and will continue to do so, gathering the very best inspirational clips.
Whether you’re having a challenge at work, with family, romance or WHATEVER you can swing by Dangerous Linda for Magic Movie Clips to fill your prescription any time of the day or night! Give it a try — you’ll LOVE it!
Let me know your favorite inspirational movies and I’ll try to include them too!
February 18th, 2011 - 5:07 pm
“When We Were Kings” is an older documentary (about the Ali-Forman fight in Zaire back in the 1970s), but Muhammad Ali surely fits the underdog superhero, here.
The movie also showed me something about beauty–and figuring out that maybe I was beautiful, too.
As a kid, I used to feel embarrassed by watching Ali brag about how “pretty” he was, thinking he was black like me and we were funny looking. I didn’t know it. I didn’t see it.
When I saw this movie when it came out, something had changed. I could see that he was a very beautiful man and that maybe I could join in some of that beauty and not let a world that preferred whiteness to spoil my enjoyment of that beauty. Maybe I can be beautiful, too.
It also spoke to the hidden beauty in boxing–a rare and small piece, but it is not something that really exists in most of what we see and what really exists in boxing. Kind of reminds me of why Howard Cossell gave up covering boxing after Ali left the sport.
Muhammad Ali was (and still is) a very beautiful man and person. He is not ugly. He is not dumb. He was the greatest!
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February 18th, 2011 - 8:15 pm
Clarence –
You’re preachin’ to the choir about the beauty of the black man here, baby!
I added a movie clip from “Ali” (Michael Mann, 2001) to the Movie-Magic-Clip-Fix library for you!
Thanks!
L2
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February 21st, 2011 - 7:19 pm
Linda, it was nice to see you again at the Art discussion meeting. I’ve enjoyed your blog! Next time, I promise to bring something!
Leigh
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February 22nd, 2011 - 10:38 am
Hi, Leigh! –
Thanks for visiting!
I’m excited to see your artwork!!
L2
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January 4th, 2012 - 12:19 pm
I am a movie fiend, it’s one of my guilty pleasures. I grew up watching movies, it’s something I’ve passed down to my kids, and where I retreat when I need to hide out from the world. I need to think about this reply – movie clips– and get back to you. OK, to email you when I think of the ones I loved? Wonderful idea, by the way. As a writer, I find movies a wonderful source of possibilities for the fiction writer in me. Happy New Year, Linda. I am so please to have found you here in the blogosphere…
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January 4th, 2012 - 8:53 pm
Sounds like you got yourself figured out pretty well. Thanks for a very inspiring post….
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January 5th, 2012 - 1:29 am
I am a movie buff and I can go into the movie world to lose myself and get inspired by the end of it. Right at this point one movie that comes to my mind (guess that’s because of Morgan Freeman in this clip) if The Bucket List. Look forward to your movie clips Linda. A ver happy new year to you!
My latest poem. Do take a peek!
http://rimlybezbaruah.blogspot.com/2012/01/canvas.html
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January 5th, 2012 - 2:35 am
Linda is there. No worries. Counting on you Dangerous. But what do I do when there is no power. Please send me lots of love and big hugs.
On a serious note, we can never know where our stimulants come from. Sometimes I look at the cockroach and wonder how on earth is this insect so very fast and always on the move.
Joy always,
Susan
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January 5th, 2012 - 4:01 am
That piece worked for me alright! And coincidentally I hopped into your blog while procrastinating on other things – Now I feel like I wanna achieve too. Thank you very much!
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January 5th, 2012 - 9:46 am
Hi, Linda..I am a sucker for romantic films,and can watch movies like P.S I LOVE YOU…over and over again,and still cry..will surely visit u…lots of love always.
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January 5th, 2012 - 2:08 pm
Wow Linda! I’m so glad I came by your blog! I needed a little pick-me-up today! And your post did just that! Thank you for inspiring me today!
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January 5th, 2012 - 3:45 pm
What a great post! I really enjoyed reading it and seeing how you applied positive visualization and imagination to your situation. This is an area I really want to read up more on. Thanks for the links.
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January 5th, 2012 - 3:50 pm
Awesomeness, Linda. Now I know why I feel the way I do when I watch a bunch of men skating furiously and swatting at a puck! Ha-ha! No, for real! xo
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January 5th, 2012 - 9:36 pm
Linda, the movie files are a great idea! The article on Positive Thinking and Visualization was my favorite. Thanks for sharing
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January 7th, 2012 - 3:17 pm
Hi, Brenda! ~
Many favorite stories with my kids around ‘family movie night’, too — maybe fodder for another post in the near future
I would love to know some of your favorite inspirational film titles. Please either leave a comment on the Magic Movie Clips page or e-mail me at linda@dangerouslinda.com
One thing I’ve learned through this process is that ‘movie clips’ are an art form of their own, above and beyond the quality of the original film — sort of like short stories are a different art form than full length novels. Some of my favorite movies do not have clips or trailers that meet my standards for the Movie Magic page — but, I will keep looking
Happy New Year to YOU — thank you for stopping to join the conversation! XO
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January 7th, 2012 - 3:36 pm
@Jan: Thank you for visiting ;-x
@Rimly: Thank you for your suggestion of ‘Bucket List’ — I haven’t seen that movie, because I’m uncomfortable about the idea of saving up a list of things I want to do in life until I’m old. I am dedicated to living my ‘Bucket List’ each and every day of my life. But, I love Morgan Freeman, of course, and I’ll see what I can find
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January 7th, 2012 - 4:35 pm
I have to go check out these inspirational movie clips I don’t watch standard TV but I do watch movies like they are going out of fashion.
My favourite movies tend to be the tear jerkers so “What Dreams May come” – the idea that soul mates can connect beyond the here and now fascinates me and a perception of the difference between heaven and hell and what one person could do combined with the magic of art in it’s most raw format – I absolutely adore it but this line always struck with me, for are we as emotionally independent as we think when we meet ‘the one’ “Is that a kind of occupational hazard of soul mates ? One’s not much without the other ?”
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January 7th, 2012 - 6:34 pm
Hi, Susan! –
Intriguing: “…we can never know where our stimulants come from. Sometimes I look at the cockroach and wonder how on earth is this insect so very fast and always on the move.”
I guess if you are the unpopular cockroach, then you better keep moving, right? haha!
Your perspective tickles my funny bone, as usual — Thank you for visiting and sharing
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January 7th, 2012 - 6:48 pm
Kriti, Alpana, and Irene: Thank you for stopping by to say “Hi!”
@Kriti: I’m glad you were able to feel the power of a ‘Magic Movie Clip’ first-hand! Experiencing is believing, right? Please stop back again soon!
@Alpana: I love romantic movies, but I’m usually inspired by a different type of love story than most people enjoy. I have not seen ‘P.S. I Love You’ and I will look for it! Actually, ‘Hancock’ is one of my very favorite love stories, even though that aspect of the film is not really apparent in the Magic Movie Clip Library trailer — GREAT film, and clip ;-x
@Irene: I’m so glad you came by, too! Please stop back and browse the library when you have a chance — I would love to hear about some of your favorite inspiring movies!
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January 7th, 2012 - 7:05 pm
Hello Linda.
Being the love poet that I am, I love all romance movies, especially the old classics shown on Turner Classic Movies. Seen as my wife is English, I’m also partial to British period movies like Mansfield Park, Emma & I like to watch Masterpiece Theatre movies too.
I’ve not seen all of Rabbit Proof Fence, but my wife has & she cried no end of tears over it. I see Gone With The Wind is listed too. Nice selection.
Thanks for sharing.
Flower Of India
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January 8th, 2012 - 5:46 am
I love this post – and the idea of a collection of such movie clips is fantastic, Linda. Maybe I’ll share some of my favs with you in time ♥
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January 8th, 2012 - 9:53 am
Jessica, Pamela & Anna: Thanks for visiting the Magic Movie Clips Library — looking forward to receiving your recommendations
@Jessica: I wonder if you have watched the movie ‘The Peaceful Warrior’? Even the short clip in the Magic Movie Clips Library is SO INSPIRING! It’s all about the power of the mind — you will love it!
@Pamela: You got it, Sistah! I’m wondering if there’s a great, inspiring hockey film you’d suggest! I know there must be but I can’t think of what it is ….?
@Anna: I’m glad you enjoyed the info on positive thinking and visualization — powerful stuff!
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January 8th, 2012 - 11:33 am
Thanks for this tremendous “pick-me-up” today, Linda! I have a cold and really needed some inspiration in my day. I will be sure to check out the Magic Movie Clips.
Oh, and my favorite inspirational film is “It’s a Wonderful Life”
Blessings!
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January 8th, 2012 - 11:59 am
Hi, SJ! ~
I’m not surprised you are a romantic mush-ball when it comes to your favorite films — hehe!
I love the movie ‘What Dreams May Come’! In particular, I it has the best depiction of Hell I’ve ever seen! Profound — the way she creates an eternity of pain with her own mind!!! My one complaint about that movie is the way the relationship between the two main characters is held up as ‘special’ and virtually unattainable by everyone else in the world. I don’t buy that
Have you ever seen the movie ‘Hancock’? It’s a different kind of love story — just about perfect in my mind! I think you would love it! And Will Smith is so C-U-T-E!!!
Your comment above reminds me of our discussion on my previous post: ‘It’s Not Him’ (http://www.dangerouslinda.com/?p=1656) about ‘soul mates’ and I wonder if you ever had a chance to read my response to you? You really get me thinking about this stuff — love that about YOU!! XOXOX
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January 8th, 2012 - 12:11 pm
Hi, Andy! –
You are a true romantic! I think you would enjoy ‘Dances with Wolves’ in the Magic Movie Clip Library! I’m working on getting more romances — although a great love story is always my favorite, there’s alot of bad love stories out there in my opinion.
‘Rabbit Proof Fence’ is an amazing movie! I just watched the clip again at your reminder — POWERFUL!
Thank you for visiting and sharing — PLEASE stop back again SOON
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January 8th, 2012 - 1:04 pm
I hate it when that self doubt starts to take over and I love the way you have turned it around to a learning experience. The movie clip is a great idea!!! Thanks for lifting us all up!
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January 9th, 2012 - 5:36 am
I like romantic and musical movies and the Walt Disney animation movies the most! They tell you so much without overtly preaching! Please add some clips from them too!
-ELLE
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January 10th, 2012 - 9:25 am
Hi, Corinne, Martha, Lynne and Autumn! ~ Thank you SO MUCH for stopping by to say “Hi!”
@Corinne: Looking forward to your suggestions! XOXO
@Martha: Hope you’re feeling better! I’m working on “It’s a Wonderful Life” (and also “Miracle on 34th Street” — one of my favorite Christmas stories!)
@Lynne: Your comment reminds me of this quote from Deepak Chopra, “You and I are essentially infinite choice-makers. In every moment of our existence, we are in that field of all possibilities where we have access to an infinity of choices.” When self-doubt rears it’s ugly head, time to make a new choice
@Autumn: Welcome! I love what you say about stories/movies that, “…tell you so much without overtly preaching!” That’s the ticket, right? I will work on your suggestions — thank you!
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January 10th, 2012 - 9:45 am
Thank you, dear Linda, for taking due note of my comments. Love you!
-ELLE
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January 10th, 2012 - 9:48 am
Ah i m a movie freak linda ..I blog about movie too ..this is a great movie but my friends said its a boring one ..coz of less action .. this clip was great ..
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January 10th, 2012 - 10:36 am
Thanks for the awesome work….keeping us motivated.
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