When you’ve gone through as many unexpected life changes as I have, you eventually learn to surrender to the flow of a river you’ve just been dropped into. I’ve learned to be open to whatever direction life has in store for me. I’ve learned to have faith.
Of course, sometimes I can still feel resistance in the silliest ways. For example, the movie The Artist
had a positive buzz about it even before it hit theatres. And even though it won a Golden Globe and a Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Motion Picture, I still couldn’t see how good a silent movie could be in this day and age!
And so after it got nominated for 10 Academy Awards I kept an open mind and pushed myself to see The Artist.
My faith was rewarded with a magical, cinematic journey that, in the end, lifted my spirits sky high!
The comedy-drama The Artist 
is about a late 1920’s silent film star George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) whose popularity and livelihood is challenged by the invention of talking films. Valentin refuses to adapt to the change and begins a slow descent into depression. It is only through a young actress named Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo) that he is able to keep moving forward in life.
What I just wrote was much more than I knew before seeing this movie. It has to be seen to experience the magic that unfolds. I am just grateful that, just like in the film, I learned to stop resisting my preconceptions of this black and white silent movie and just see it.
Unexpected change in life and work can sometimes feel uncomfortable and even painful. Sometimes the best way to face these situations is to surrender to the path you feel forced upon. Your resistance may be out of fear, and yet may also be what prevents you from experiencing a bigger and brighter future.
Editor’s note: The Artist has since gone on to win five Oscars including Best Film.
Featured in The NEW YORK TIMES, The WASHINGTON POST and The TORONTO STAR. Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman is an Author, Motivational Speaker, Movie Blogger and an award-winning illustrator. THE WASHINGTON POST has featured his blog, Movies That Motivate for its motivational tips and inspiring movie examples. Emmanuel helps individuals increase PASSION and build optimistic mindsets through articles in ZOOMER MAGAZINE, EXAMINER.COM and empowering keynotes and seminars at organizations such as TD Canada Trust, Ontario Ministry of Finance, The Art Institute of Boston and Royal Ontario Museum. For info on booking keynotes and seminars see: www.motivatorman.com