"Lincoln" is a historical movie with lots of details. It is entertaining in spots, but that is not the intention. It's intention is to teach--to educate. It sheds  insight into the man who served as President during the civil war; and it highlighted the strategies that took place to ensure that the 13th Amendment passed the house. It is ultimately a story about effective leadership, something that we so desperately need, not only in the political realm, but everywhere--school districts, corporations, hospitals--everywhere!

There are some things that are said tongue in cheek; and others that are blatantly expressed. This is a movie where you have to pay attention to each word or you'll miss it. When I walked out of the theatre, which by the way had an audience that felt compelled to applaud at the end, I appreciated  the man and understood the war much more intimately. I appreciate the position of the President of the United States even more. Further, I have more resolve to do whatever I can to make my corner of the world, no matter where I am better than how I find it. So, I guess you might say that I liked this movie very much.

Movies, really good ones, have messages that just keep on giving. The Sessions is one that I just had to write about. After talking with my colleague about it with my husband for two days and a colleague for more than an hour, I decided that I needed to put some thoughts to paper.

At the end of the movie I sat with this sense of total silence that I don't recall ever experiencing after watching a movie. It was as if everything that needed to be said was said, with and without words. The movie was framed around a man who wanted to experience this thing called life--fully, without restriction, without limitation, which is ironic when one considers his physicality. But, what was taught very well is that it is not physical limitations of any sort that stops anyone from living an authentic life. It is our thoughts about who we think we are or the guilt of something we think we did or some level of unforgiveness. And that those things, once they are lifted, by one's decision to live and experience this thing called life as a feeling, loving, human being can find the freedom that was there all along. The man knew what he was looking for and the therapist was there to help him find it; but the same thing that he needed, she also needed--to be authentically themselves. He achieved it; she didn't. It is about how one thinks and what one thinks s/he has to do eventhough there is no authenticity to it that creates disease, depression and an unfulfilled life.

The power of public opinion and the dogmatic teachings of the Church that are antithetical to human experience and denies what human beings are at their core--seekers of love and bliss are challenged in this film respectfully, but directly. There are many lessons in this film, too many to enumerate but one that is loud and clear. The only limits that we have are the ones that we impose on ourselves. But, you first must know who you are and love that person.

I read last night in The Irrational Man, a book on Existentialism, that many will live their whole lives not knowing who they are until they wake up dead. Now, that is a tragic life! I asked my husband of 30 years today--Who are You? His answer: I don't know, I'm going to have to think about it...

Living "as if"

Yesterday, I attended the #spark and hustle extravaganza  and I've spent this morning and much of the afternoon watching #oprahtv Soul Sunday. Both of them were powerful encounters and while I am not going to rehash what I experienced, I'm going to share what it led me to do today and hopefully, much longer. However, what I've learned is that it's not what I "decide" to do that creates action, it is what I "actually; do that changes life.

Okay, today is my "as if day." I will act today as if everything that I have ever wanted, I now have. I will respond as if what is said to me is "I love you with all of my heart." I will look at my checkbook as if there are infinite funds. I am going to look at the book that I'm writing as if it is already finished and I'm just tweaking. I will approach my manuscript as if I have all of the words, concepts, humor and instructive tips that will help others to appreciate and learn what the intended lessons are. Further, the only thoughts that I will allow to remain in my mind are those that help to elevate me emotionally, spiritually, financially and globally.  Today, I will act as if I have control over my thoughts and that those thoughts are actually creating my life experiences because they do.  And so it is!