Inspiration Everywhere!
So it's been more than a WEEK since I last posted! Please don't think I've forgotten you. Frankly, I have been completely busy and a bit stressed out ... I had a big thing going on at work and a business trip, and I let it all get to me. But I'm back ... and trying to regain my balance (so, what's new?).
A couple of weekends ago, I had the pleasure of experiencing something so amazingly rare in the lives of modern women .... more rare than getting an actual human being on the phone when calling the wireless phone company of your choice ... an evening in my own home, ALONE. My husband took Johnny for an overnight trip to the his parents' lakehouse, and there I was, alone.
For some reason, the most mundane activities become bliss when I'm able to do them by myself, on my own time, by my own plan. I spent my afternoon and evening alone cleaning out closets and toy boxes (not the easiest thing to do under the watchful eyes of a pack rat husband and a son who clings on to the most broken, pitiful piece of plastic the minute I try to put it in the "Donate" box). I picked up the dog from the vet, went for a leisurely grocery shop, returned Johnny's books and videos to the library. I did get a GREAT pedicure--a treat, to be sure, but also a necessity if I have any notion of exposing my feet in sandals.
While I was at the library, I wandered (I was wandering! When do I EVER have time to wander!) into the movie aisle. There, I saw the DVD of Bend it Like Beckham. Now, I had checked out that movie at LEAST six times without watching it. I have a habit of that ... thinking, naively, that I WILL find a relatively empty space in my calendar to watch some great film that doesn't involve animated characters or beasts of the wild.
But this time, home alone, I finally watched this movie that's now probably 10 years old. And I LOVED it. It's one of those kind of stories that I like--a combination of the underdog, overcoming the odds, standing up for herself, winning, in the end. I guess I like those movies because I feel like, in some small way, they are MY story. Not that I have faced incredible odds and challenges. The daily adventure of carving out a healthy life, of trying to maintain that balance, may not be the stuff of movies, but it's no less important.
Bend it Like Beckham is now on my list of those feel-good, comeback-kid movies that manage to stick with me and give me a lift when I'm feeling a bit beaten down. It's a British film that follows a young Indian girl who has a major talent for soccer, much to her very traditional parents' dismay. I won't ruin it for you, but the ending is the kind of ending we all want in our lives.
Others on my list: Invinceable (the true story of a 30-something bartender who tries out for the Philadelphia Eagles professional football team--and makes it), Chariots of Fire (the story of an Olympic running team way back in the 30s or 40s, I think), Seabiscuit (OK, it's about a horse, but very inspiring!) ... and more than I can list here. My favorite all-time movie, though, is Billy Elliot, another British film about a little boy who stinks at soccer but finds his calling in a ballet class. There's something about the idea of choosing a course and pursuing it, despite all the obstacles in your way, that really speaks to me.
So, if you need a little boost, try sneaking off and renting one of these flicks. They all have some kind of sports theme (which I'm a sucker for, obviously, but may not be your thing). Tell me what your favorite against-all-odds movies are ... so next time I find myself home alone, I'll know what to do with my time.
Take care--
Lisa D
A couple of weekends ago, I had the pleasure of experiencing something so amazingly rare in the lives of modern women .... more rare than getting an actual human being on the phone when calling the wireless phone company of your choice ... an evening in my own home, ALONE. My husband took Johnny for an overnight trip to the his parents' lakehouse, and there I was, alone.
For some reason, the most mundane activities become bliss when I'm able to do them by myself, on my own time, by my own plan. I spent my afternoon and evening alone cleaning out closets and toy boxes (not the easiest thing to do under the watchful eyes of a pack rat husband and a son who clings on to the most broken, pitiful piece of plastic the minute I try to put it in the "Donate" box). I picked up the dog from the vet, went for a leisurely grocery shop, returned Johnny's books and videos to the library. I did get a GREAT pedicure--a treat, to be sure, but also a necessity if I have any notion of exposing my feet in sandals.
While I was at the library, I wandered (I was wandering! When do I EVER have time to wander!) into the movie aisle. There, I saw the DVD of Bend it Like Beckham. Now, I had checked out that movie at LEAST six times without watching it. I have a habit of that ... thinking, naively, that I WILL find a relatively empty space in my calendar to watch some great film that doesn't involve animated characters or beasts of the wild.
But this time, home alone, I finally watched this movie that's now probably 10 years old. And I LOVED it. It's one of those kind of stories that I like--a combination of the underdog, overcoming the odds, standing up for herself, winning, in the end. I guess I like those movies because I feel like, in some small way, they are MY story. Not that I have faced incredible odds and challenges. The daily adventure of carving out a healthy life, of trying to maintain that balance, may not be the stuff of movies, but it's no less important.
Bend it Like Beckham is now on my list of those feel-good, comeback-kid movies that manage to stick with me and give me a lift when I'm feeling a bit beaten down. It's a British film that follows a young Indian girl who has a major talent for soccer, much to her very traditional parents' dismay. I won't ruin it for you, but the ending is the kind of ending we all want in our lives.
Others on my list: Invinceable (the true story of a 30-something bartender who tries out for the Philadelphia Eagles professional football team--and makes it), Chariots of Fire (the story of an Olympic running team way back in the 30s or 40s, I think), Seabiscuit (OK, it's about a horse, but very inspiring!) ... and more than I can list here. My favorite all-time movie, though, is Billy Elliot, another British film about a little boy who stinks at soccer but finds his calling in a ballet class. There's something about the idea of choosing a course and pursuing it, despite all the obstacles in your way, that really speaks to me.
So, if you need a little boost, try sneaking off and renting one of these flicks. They all have some kind of sports theme (which I'm a sucker for, obviously, but may not be your thing). Tell me what your favorite against-all-odds movies are ... so next time I find myself home alone, I'll know what to do with my time.
Take care--
Lisa D
9 Comments:
On a literary theme which you might appreciate is "Finding Forrester" with Sean Connery and a talented young actor. I also love "Invincible" I own it, and I don't even really like football.
I absolutely LOVE Little Miss SUnshine. Olive is an inspiration to us all!!!
Footloose.
Always.
Football - Rudy
Boxing - Rocky (In my personal opinion, you only need to watch the first one.)
With the literary theme - Freedom Writers. I watched it twice yesterday.
Pumpkin- an indie flick starring Christina Ricci about a sorortiy girl who finds love in the most unusual of places-herself.
"The Big Chill". A movie from the 80's about friends that come together after another friends death.It's one of those movies that you don't want to end.
Stuart Saves His Family - it stars Al Franken as Stuart Smalley, a character he played on SNL in the '90s who is a self-help guru and has a cable access show and the most dysfunctional family I've ever seen in a movie. It's a great story about trying to be happy, healthy and well-balanced despite the craziness around it. Not to mention it's absolutely hilarious!!! I also the dance type movies - Center Stage, Stick It and Bring It On. They're silly but fun and you definitely root for the hero to overcome! Very inspiring.
Bend it Like Beckham is one of the best movies ever!!! Oh and on the Rocky comment, you also need to watch the forth one, gotta watch Rocky end Communism : )
Local Hero! Always makes me remember the things in life that matter.
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