Poetry of Being — Galaxy a Majestic Rose

The midnight black enveloped the entire sky. The back drop of eternity. The affinity of consciousness… bathed in the silver blue white light. I stood face to face in the presence of the full moon… embraced by a rainbow hue. Stars twinkled the morse code of light. Their winks of loving encouragement. As a shooting star blazed a ribbon of potential. This the voice of the galaxy… the playground of our dreams.

I gazed into the face of a majestic rose. Its divine sweet breath my soul it bestowed. Velvet pedals spoke of its awe-inspiring message… Life is, of this moment. A “peace” of heaven on earth, to do with what we choose… in choice in which our world now beholds. My hearts love within this vision. I extend this rose to you. May your hearts be filled with boundless joy.

VividLife.me Contributor

Nicholas Franklin Bray

With many film and stage roles to his credit Nicholas Franklin Bray has recently finished the lead role in the film “Alter”, which was accepted by the “Big Apple Film Festival in New York. Nicholas’s next project is the lead in a film “The Tale of True Blue”, and will also be in the film “Boys of Summer”. He also has film projects in New York, Los Angeles, Michigan, and Phoenix. Nicholas summed up his acting career thus far with these words:

“By living my dream and embracing my passion, I hope to inspire others to do so also.”
Nicholas Franklin Bray
www.nicholasfranklinbray.com

Technorati Tags: nature poetry, Nicholas Franklin Bray, poems, poetry, poetry of being

Finding a Way Home

“Amreeka” (2009). Cast: Nisreen Faour, Melkar Muallem, Hiam Abbass, Yussef Abu Warda, Joseph Ziegler, Alia Shawkat, Jenna Kawar, Selena Haddad, Andrew Sannie, Daniel Boiteau, Brodie Sanderson, Glen Thompson, Miriam Smith. Director: Cherien Dabis. Screenplay: Cherien Dabis. www.amreeka.com.

Anyone who has ever gone hunting for a new house or apartment knows how taxing it can be to find a suitable place to hang one’s hat. So imagine what it might be like if that notion were applied on a larger scale, to find a community—or even a country—to call one’s own. And, taking that idea to an even greater extreme, consider what’s involved in finding oneself at home in one’s very own skin. Those are some of the challenges explored in the comedy-drama “Amreeka,” now available on DVD.

Life on the Palestinian West Bank in 2002 is often frustrating for Muna Farah (Nisreen Faour). As a single mother separated from her philandering husband, she struggles to raise her teenage son, Fadi (Melkar Muallem), under trying circumstances. Just being a working mom is difficult enough, but add in Muna’s two-hour commute from her home in Bethlehem to her job as a bank officer in the Palestinian territory (facing intrusive scrutiny at government checkpoints all along the way), and the routine of her everyday life becomes that much more arduous. She’s also preoccupied with shedding some pounds, an undertaking where the losses seemingly involve everything but weight. Clearly, Muna is ready for a change.

That opportunity arrives somewhat unexpectedly one day when Muna receives a notice that her application for a visa to visit Amreeka (the Arabic word for “America”) has been approved. The news comes as a surprise, since she had all but forgotten filing the application, having done so when she and her ex-husband were still together and making plans for a once-hoped-for future. She’s initially unsure what to do, but when Fadi reminds her of all the everyday difficulties she faces, Muna agrees that a fresh start is the best course. And so Muna and Fadi relocate to rural northern Illinois to join the family of her émigré sister Raghda (Hiam Abbass) and brother-in-law Nabeel Halaby (Yussef Abu Warda).

Despite the promise of a new life, however, Muna and Fadi find that making the transition isn’t always easy. For instance, Muna’s job search doesn’t live up to her expectations; even with her years of banking experience, she’s forced into taking a job as counter help at the local White Castle. Meanwhile, Fadi struggles to fit in at his new school, where prejudiced classmates unhesitatingly show off their cultural ignorance, often to the new arrival’s detriment. And even the well-meaning support of Raghda’s family sometimes isn’t enough, as they, too, face acceptance challenges of their own, despite having been established in the U.S. for years. But if that weren’t enough, all of the protagonists run headlong into the simmering anti-Islamic sentiments that arose in early 2003 during the opening days of the Iraq War. But this is an irony if there ever were one, since Muna and her family aren’t Muslim (Muna’s family’s religion is never definitively identified in the film, but it’s been suggested that they’re Palestinian Christians, given that they originally hailed from Bethlehem).

As time passes, however, Muna and Fadi find allies who help ease their transition, most notably Muna’s nerdy co-worker Matt (Brodie Sanderson), Fadi’s principal Mr. Novatski (Joseph Ziegler) and, to a certain extent, even Raghda and Nabeel’s daughters (Alia Shawkat, Jenna Kawar, Selena Haddad). But the assistance of these newfound friends doesn’t stem so much from what they do but from what they say and the attitudes they exhibit. They’re all clearly comfortable in their own skin, and the new immigrants gradually pick up on this. The seemingly perennial outcasts, who never really felt at home in their so-called homeland and have often felt even less so in their new country, begin to feel more at ease by drawing on these examples. As their perspectives shift, Muna and Fadi realize that what they call “home” ultimately begins with them, with what they believe constitutes home and not just their physical surroundings (or, in Muna’s case, even with her own body). They grow into their new environment, making the home they want for themselves, based on their beliefs, just as what anyone would do in any other conscious creation/law of attraction undertaking.

“Amreeka” is a charming independent film, full of warmth, heart tugs and gentle humor. And others apparently agree; the film captured the FIPRESCI Prize of the International Federation of Film Critics at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, and it has been nominated for three awards (including best feature and best female lead) at the upcoming Independent Spirit Awards. Admittedly, the film’s writing and editing could have been a little tighter in spots, but all in all, this is an engaging and delightful little picture. It makes a good choice for alternative viewing at this time of year, when many of the new theatrical releases often leave much to be desired.

The next time you’re looking for a new place, check the classifieds and the real estate listings, as you ordinarily would, but be sure to check your beliefs, too, for that’s where your new home really gets its start. Pay particular attention to beliefs related to your innermost heartfelt feelings and emotions, because they’ll help guide you to the place where you’re supposed to be. For in the end, you’ll find, just as Muna and Fadi ultimately do, that home truly is where the heart is.

Copyright © 2010, by Brent Marchant. All rights reserved.

VividLife.me Contributor

A lifelong movie fan and longtime student of metaphysics (with an emphasis in law of attraction/conscious creation principles), free-lance writer/editor Brent Marchant is the author of Get the Picture: Conscious Creation Goes to the Movies (Moment Point Press, www.momentpoint.com, available in soft cover and Kindle formats). His additional writing credits include contributions to www.beliefnet.com and to Divine Revolution, Sethnet Journal and Reality Change magazines. Brent also maintains an ongoing blog about metaphysical cinema at www.getthepicturebrentmarchant.blogspot.com, which includes listings for the internet and broadcast radio shows on which he frequently appears as a guest. He holds a B.A. in magazine journalism from Syracuse University and resides in Chicago. You can email him at brentmarchant@momentpoint.com.

Technorati Tags: "Amreeka", beliefs, Brent Marchant, Cannes Film Festival, Cherien Dabis, conscious creation, DVDs, Hiam Abbass, independent film, Independent Spirit Awards, Iraq War, law of attraction, Melkar Muallem, movies, National Geographic, new immigrants, Nisreen Faour, Palestinian West Bank, White Castle

Poetry of Being- My Way Back Home

As I watch the snow drift… from the heavens above. I marvel at its wondrous glory. The way it covers green grass, pines and their mass, and the cones that peak from under its white blanket. How each individual snow flake unconditionally softens the fall of the other. Oh, how this magical scene of wintery bliss reminds us… That we, too, through collective consciousness, can live peacefully together just like this.

I step out into the sun and I squint into its presence. My heart opens as I feel its golden warmth befriend my soul. As I stand in the strength, of its cool deep blue touch. The ocean winds carry the salty mist upon my face… of that I taste. Its gift of charisma… its composure in spirit. Its strength in balance. In choir, its voice of perfect harmony. I surrender. Of this, my understanding… my way back home.

VividLife.me Contributor

Nicholas Franklin Bray

With many film and stage roles to his credit Nicholas Franklin Bray has recently finished the lead role in the film “Alter”, which was accepted by the “Big Apple Film Festival in New York. Nicholas’s next project is the lead in a film “The Tale of True Blue”, and will also be in the film “Boys of Summer”. He also has film projects in New York, Los Angeles, Michigan, and Phoenix. Nicholas summed up his acting career thus far with these words:

“By living my dream and embracing my passion, I hope to inspire others to do so also.”
Nicholas Franklin Bray
www.nicholasfranklinbray.com

Technorati Tags: Nicholas Franklin Bray, poetry of being, poety

The Gallery opening that will push your human consciousness

Many years ago……

I read a book that Aldous Huxley had written while taking mescaline in order to shift is consciousness so that he could see the world from a new perspective.  It was aptly named “Doors of Perception,’ and it highlighted that we all interact with our world with our own limited perspective while trying to grasp at the possibilities and endless probabilities that present themselves in our lives.

In order to change our world, it would be necessary to change our inner thought processes and self talk, and to do this meant that we would have to seek out evolution of self through interactions with our environment that would make us question everything, and see our lives through a completely new viewpoint.

This was the case at the Tom Thompson Gallery during “Convergence,” the current art show  with over 360 art pieces, that had a grand opening last night on January 22nd. I will not get into the juried aspect of the art show, and how 3 jurors had to make a choice about which piece was to win, which is incredible because the caliber of the artwork here, and the variety is unprecedented.

Rather, I want emphasize that if you want to change your outlook on life, or see life in a different light, or in my case…find a new respect for the creative process, and become inspired……then you should take in this exhibit, and give yourself plenty of time to take in each piece individually, and then take them in as a whole!

My advice is meant to help those that I interact with live inspired lives…and I feel very strongly about this exhibit from an unbiased standpoint. If done properly, you will come out of that inner sanctum of artwork with an entirely different thought process if you let yourself experience the magnitude of the multiplicity of  thoughts and feelings, viewpoints and styles, mediums and textures that went into that work and the reasoning behind them.

I promise not to tell you about what is in those  rooms at the Gallery…as it has to experienced, and would rather hard to explain anyhow.  I could try, but then if I did it, it may give you the Alice in Wonderland feelings of falling down the rabbit hole and finding a world where normal logic does not apply.

If you are from here, then consider it a civic duty, and a duty to yourself….and go inside and be amazed!

If you are a tourist, or tourists  visiting here, then do the right thing, put this on the top of your “to do list,” and when you are going through, attempt the nearly impossible…if possible at all……judge for yourself , and try to pick a favorite out of the 360 pieces that are so very different….

Watch that first step down the rabbit hole, this trip is going to be a doozy!

for info…

http://www.tomthomson.org/exhibition.php?ExhibitionID=130

-Owen Sound Natural Happiness Guide

http://www.owensoundnaturalhappinessguide.com/

Technorati Tags: arts and entertainment, spiritual travel, travel, travel tips, VividLife travel

A Plethora of Possibilities

“The Last Station” (2009). Cast: Helen Mirren, Christopher Plummer, James McAvoy, Paul Giamatti, Kerry Condon, John Sessions, Anne-Marie Duff, Patrick Kennedy. Director: Michael Hoffman. Screenplay: Michael Hoffman. Book: Jay Parini. www.sonyclassics.com/thelaststation/.

Getting a precise handle on the nature of one’s beliefs can be one of the most perplexing undertakings that a practitioner of law of attraction/conscious creation principles will ever attempt, especially when it comes to “the big issues” of life. The process can be further complicated when one looks to others for guidance and sees a wide range of interpretations on the issue in question; the plethora of possibilities can be overwhelming. And so it goes for the often-bewildered protagonists in the new historical melodrama, “The Last Station.”

Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer) was one of the most revered writers of the early 20th Century. His success from works like War and Peace and Anna Karenina made him famous and wealthy. At the same time, the progressive thought in his writings made him the focus of a growing social movement known as the Tolstoyans, a quasi-spiritual sect that eschewed church and state and promoted concepts like nonviolence, vegetarianism and celibacy. Consequently, Tolstoy was widely celebrated—and heavily scrutinized—by prevailing religious and political powers, as well as the paparazzi and gossip columnists of the day.

For his part, Tolstoy relished the attention, even though he was more of a passive, unwitting prophet than an active advocate for the movement, especially since he didn’t always personally abide by its tenets. He had grown uncomfortable with materialism, for example, yet didn’t seem to mind living in a grand estate. And celibacy was something that almost seemed foreign to him, despite what his supporters believed. He preached that “love” was at the heart of all his writings and his thinking, but he often seemed unclear about exactly what that meant. So here was someone who was at the center of an emerging philosophical paradigm who wasn’t always sure what he believed himself.

Tolstoy struggled to get a handle on the nature of his beliefs, but such a daunting challenge often left the aging author beleaguered. What’s more, with his views open to such wide interpretation, Tolstoy’s philosophies were, accordingly, analyzed and expressed in myriad ways. But his contact with those doing the interpreting frequently left him even more confounded about what he truly thought, particularly regarding the nature of love. Nevertheless, they promoted their views, and vied for his attention, in their own fervent ways.

For instance, for Tolstoy’s fiercely devoted but high-maintenance wife, Countess Sofiya (Helen Mirren), love was a highly personal matter, very much tied to one’s relationships with one’s closest intimates and possessions. For Vladimir Chertkov (Paul Giamatti), leader of the Tolstoyans, love was something everyone should freely give to one’s fellow man—even if reminding them of this voluntary act meant dogmatizing the belief and requiring followers to pledge their allegiance to this obviously more enlightened leader. For Tolstoy’s daughter Sasha (Anne-Marie Duff), love was something that could be expressed in both of the foregoing ways, but balancing them was a nearly impossible task. And for Valentin Bulgakov (James McAvoy), Tolstoy’s personal secretary and the film’s de facto narrator, love was something he struggled with almost as much as his mentor, especially when trying to reconcile his thoughts with those of the lovely Masha (Kerry Condon), a free-thinking Tolstoyan whose independence, ironically, frequently ran afoul of those espousing this concept’s virtues.

However, the one most in need of getting a handle on the nature of love was Tolstoy himself. As he neared the end of his life, beset by the anguish of so many conflicting forces, Tolstoy desperately sought to make peace with himself and his beliefs. But the question for him was, would he do so in time?

“The Last Station” aptly illustrates the central theme of law of attraction/conscious creation thought—that we each create our own reality on the basis of our beliefs. It’s a concept that’s ripe with possibilities, too. Look, for example, at how many different interpretations the characters come up with in expressing a single notion like love, and they no doubt represent only a handful of the options. Each is valid in its own right as well, even though some are more palatable than others. This points out why it’s so critical that we get a handle on our beliefs in the first place so that we end up creating the existence we desire. Admittedly, as this film shows, the process may not always be as simple as we’d like, but that’s part of the challenge of being human and expressing such abstract notions in physical form. And with the wide palette of options available, it’s an undertaking we can savor, as long as we leave ourselves open to what’s possible.

“The Last Station” is a delightful little picture, full of warmth, romance, intrigue and gentle humor. It’s reminiscent of the many wonderful Merchant-Ivory productions, such as “A Room with a View,” especially in terms of its production values. The award-caliber performances by Mirren and Plummer are outstanding, especially in their scenes together, when their tremendous chemistry shines through. Admittedly, the writing could be stronger in spots, especially in confrontational scenes that often fizzle instead of pop, but given that the characters are themselves searching for insights through such conflicts, I suppose the lack of blockbuster scene-ending payoffs is somewhat understandable.

No matter what anyone might say, we always have choices available to us as we make our way through life. The trick is to identify the possibilities and the beliefs that underlie them. And the sooner we do this, the more enjoyable our lives can be, for when we reach the last station—the end of the line—the one thing I’m sure we’d all like to avoid saying to ourselves at that point is, “If only….”

Copyright © 2010, by Brent Marchant. All rights reserved.

VividLife.me Contributor

A lifelong movie fan and longtime student of metaphysics (with an emphasis in law of attraction/conscious creation principles), free-lance writer/editor Brent Marchant is the author of Get the Picture: Conscious Creation Goes to the Movies (Moment Point Press, www.momentpoint.com). His additional writing credits include contributions to www.beliefnet.com and to Divine Revolution, Sethnet Journal and Reality Change magazines. Brent also maintains an ongoing blog about metaphysical cinema at www.getthepicturebrentmarchant.blogspot.com. He holds a B.A. in magazine journalism from Syracuse University and resides in Chicago. You can email him at brentmarchant@momentpoint.com.

Technorati Tags: "Anna Karenina", "The Last Station", "War and Peace", beliefs, Brent Marchant, Christopher Plummer, conscious creation, Helen Mirren, James McAvoy, Jay Parini, law of attraction, Leo Tolstoy, love, Michael Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Russian novelist, Sofiya Tolstoy, Valentin Bulgakov, Vladimir Chertkov

Moments of Clarity

“A Single Man” (2009). Cast: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Nicholas Hoult, Matthew Goode, Jon Kortajarena, Ginnifer Goodwin, Ryan Simpkins, Paul Butler. Director: Tom Ford. Screenplay: Tom Ford and David Scearce. Book: Christopher Isherwood. www.asingleman-movie.com.

They flicker ever so briefly and then dissolve into the darkness. Moments of clarity, those all-too-fleeting flashes of intuitive insight, sparkle luminously like fireflies in the night. They provide undeniable confirmation that all is right with the world, that we’re each where we’re supposed to be and doing what we’re intended to do. We often wish we could hold onto those shining moments forever, and some may indeed be able to do so, but for most, even recognizing such instances is a miracle in itself. The fulfillment that comes from such realizations can be blissful beyond belief; it’s getting there that’s the challenge. Such is the message of the riveting new drama, “A Single Man.”

George Falconer (Colin Firth) is a desperately lonely soul. This middle-aged British transplant lives a materially comfortable but reclusive life as an English professor in 1962 Los Angeles during the Cuban missile crisis. Outwardly he seems to have what most people want, but internally he’s seriously disillusioned over the state of the world, with its imminent threat of Armageddon, classrooms full of increasingly materialistic students, and his own intermittent health issues. But what pains George most is the unyielding sadness he feels over the tragic passing of his longtime partner, Jim (Matthew Goode), in a car accident. Carrying on almost seems more trouble than it’s worth, so George decides to pursue what he sees as the only logical course to alleviate his unceasing anguish—by killing himself.

The story follows George through what is supposed to be the last day of his life. He tells no one about his plan, but he meticulously goes about all the tasks necessary to carry out the deed, tying up loose ends and making sure that everything is done according to his wishes, right down to picking out the clothes for his own funeral.  He’s determined to follow through on his plan with an almost relentless efficiency.

But as George’s day proceeds, roadblocks appear. Each is distinguished by an increasing degree of distraction, drawing George’s attention away from his quest. An inquisitive student (Nicholas Hoult) who seems interested in more than George’s literary knowledge engages the professor in profound conversation; a handsome man of the streets (Jon Kortajarena) tries seducing George into joining him for some afternoon frolic; and George’s best gal pal (and one-time romantic diversion), Charley (Julianne Moore), repeatedly phones her old friend to remind him about their previously scheduled dinner date.

So how’s one supposed to kill oneself with so much going on? It’s a question George is forced into asking himself, but the answer becomes increasingly elusive, especially when he realizes that such diversions prove that his world isn’t such a bad place after all.

So how does George specifically come to doubt his planned course of action? Each of the diversions he encounters force him to deal with life in the moment at hand—neither the past nor the future, only the present. In these instances, George evaluates, and reevaluates, his beliefs, the foundation upon which we all create through the law of attraction. His beliefs are thus shaped, or changed, to suit the prevailing circumstances. And given the joy that each of these newly created distractions provides, it becomes ever easier for George to forget about offing himself. In those episodes of enlightenment, those moments of clarity, the past and future dissolve like the firefly’s flickers, leaving only the radiance of the present—the only materialization that can be experienced and enjoyed in that instant, and the only one that even matters at the time, no matter how transient it might be.

This is a valuable lesson for those hopelessly locked into the pains of the past and the fear of the future. The past is behind us, and the future has not yet arrived, so all we have is the present, and the sooner we learn to make peace with it, the happier we’re all likely to be. It’s a shame that so many of us, like George, put ourselves through such torment in coming to that realization, but I believe most will ultimately be better off for having done so.

“A Single Man” is a masterful film, easily one of 2009’s best. I was particularly impressed with the presentation of the narrative as a story that’s not about a gay man coping with life and loss but about a person coping with life and loss who just happens to be gay. This represents a major step forward in the portrayal of gay characters as everyday individuals who live everyday existences (kudos all around for this accomplishment). Colin Firth’s performance is a knockout, too. He’s richly deserving of all the accolades he’s received thus far, turning in last year’s best performance by an actor in a leading role. On top of all that, the picture’s lavish production values, from set design to costumes and makeup, as well as its magnificent cinematography, make this movie a visual delight to watch from start to finish.

Moments of clarity seem to come along so seldom, yet we invariably cherish them when they do. One can only hope that watching this film will help us learn how to become better at drawing them into our lives more often. And what a life that would be.

Copyright © 2010, by Brent Marchant. All rights reserved.

A lifelong movie fan and longtime student of metaphysics (with an emphasis in law of attraction/conscious creation principles), free-lance writer/editor Brent Marchant is the author of Get the Picture: Conscious Creation Goes to the Movies (Moment Point Press, www.momentpoint.com). His additional writing credits include contributions to www.beliefnet.com and to Divine Revolution, Sethnet Journal and Reality Change magazines. Brent also maintains an ongoing blog about metaphysical cinema at www.getthepicturebrentmarchant.blogspot.com. He holds a B.A. in magazine journalism from Syracuse University and resides in Chicago. You can email him at brentmarchant@momentpoint.com.

Technorati Tags: "A Single Man", Brent Marchant, Christopher Isherwood, Colin Firth, conscious creation, coping with loss, gay, intuition, Julianne Moore, law of attraction, Living in the Moment, Matthew Goode, movies, Nicholas Hoult, present moment, suicide, Tom Ford

Poetry of Being Teacher- A Scent of Jasmine

A teacher arrived in my life some years back. His name Peter Blumenthal. He introduced me, on a profound level, to honesty, humility, character, gracefulness, perseverance, humor, integrity, devotion, and most of all love. Peter has Down’s syndrome. I tutored him for over five years at Santa Monica College. He now teaches computer skills and volunteers at the local gym. I was his tutor… he is my teacher.

A top a grassy knoll, upon a cliff. The warm southern breeze bearing the smell of Jasmine. Tall blades of grass brushing against my face, as I looked up into the sun. The power you behold… the unconditional warmth you bestow. The willingness to shine day after day. To give us light along our way. This light, not for a few, but for all. The sun so shines that we may live. Natures whisper… one of many gifts.

VividLife.me Contributor

Nicholas Franklin Bray

With many film and stage roles to his credit Nicholas Franklin Bray has recently finished the lead role in the film “Alter”, which was accepted by the “Big Apple Film Festival in New York. Nicholas’s next project is the lead in a film “The Tale of True Blue”, and will also be in the film “Boys of Summer”. He also has film projects in New York, Los Angeles, Michigan, and Phoenix. Nicholas summed up his acting career thus far with these words:

“By living my dream and embracing my passion, I hope to inspire others to do so also.”
Nicholas Franklin Bray
www.nicholasfranklinbray.com

Technorati Tags: Down's Syndrome, Nicholas Franklin Bray, poems, poetry, poetry of being

Poetry of Being — Nature’s voice

It knifes through the water at incredible speed… its slick shiny grey and white body effortlessly breaking the surface with playful leaps. Its smile and sounds of language speak of love… calling to our souls. Its eyes so soft, filling our hearts with joy. A message from the court of the dolphins… our natural state of love comes from within… live in joy, grace, gratitude, playfully sowing our abundance of love.

Breathless, is in the presence of this… a lady. Her suit of armor, a brilliant shiny coat of rich red, adorned with glistening circles of black. Her arrival known, yet, strength in her charming silence. She will warm your heart with her reputation of luck, and dazzle you with her delicate manner. She is unassuming, tender, thoughtful, majestically poetic. Known as the Ladybird or Ladybug… Yes, for me… my Lady.

VividLife.me Contributor

Nicholas Franklin Bray

With many film and stage roles to his credit Nicholas Franklin Bray has recently finished the lead role in the film “Alter”, which was accepted by the “Big Apple Film Festival in New York. Nicholas’s next project is the lead in a film “The Tale of True Blue”, and will also be in the film “Boys of Summer”. He also has film projects in New York, Los Angeles, Michigan, and Phoenix. Nicholas summed up his acting career thus far with these words:

“By living my dream and embracing my passion, I hope to inspire others to do so also.”
Nicholas Franklin Bray
www.nicholasfranklinbray.com

Technorati Tags: nature poetry, Nicholas Franklin Bray, poetry, poetry of being

It’s Never Too Late

“Crazy Heart” (2009). Cast: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Paul Herman, Jack Nation, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall. Director: Scott Cooper. Screenplay: Scott Cooper. Book: Thomas Cobb. www.foxsearchlight.com/crazyheart/.

Once many of us pass a certain age, we begin to think that the pattern of our life is largely set, if not intractably fixed. That can be great if things are going well, but those who embrace this fatalistic view often do so because their existence has come up short in at least one area of life, if not more. They thus reconcile themselves to an outlook—and a future—based on such unwaveringly glum beliefs. But that sense of resignation need not become permanent, as evidenced by themes explored in the new drama, “Crazy Heart.”

Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges) is a man down on his luck. A one-time well-known country singer/songwriter, Bad now plays one-nighters with pickup bands in small-town bowling alley lounges and piano bars. Besides his career problems, he’s got trouble with money and with maintaining relationships that last longer than overnight. He drowns his sorrows in protracted drinking binges, a habit that’s clearly taking its toll on the 57-year-old’s health. He seems destined for an embittered future, a reality full of bleak times and little hope for tomorrow.

Bad’s fortunes change, however, when he meets aspiring lifestyle reporter Jean Craddock (Maggie Gyllenhaal), who wants to write an article about him. As time passes, the two grow close, and Bad falls for this single mother and her young son, Buddy (Jack Nation). At the same time, Bad starts to see his career prospects rebound, too, thanks to the efforts of his agent, Jack (Paul Herman), and the assistance of his successful former protégé, Tommy Sweet (Colin Farrell). With things looking up, Bad faces a promising future, but the critical question is, “Will he accept it?”

Bad’s circumstances are clearly the making of his own choices, a cornerstone principle of law of attraction/conscious creation philosophy. The decisions he’s made have brought him to where he is, and his beliefs about those choices provide constant reinforcement of his lot in life. But the prospect of change brings him to a pivotal point where he must either choose to stay the course or to follow an entirely new path.

At first glance, one might wonder why Bad would even consider rejecting the windfall of assistance and good fortune being offered to him; however, given his state of mind—and how inflexible his view of life has become—it’s easy for him to dismiss what’s come his way. He drums up all sorts of glib reasons to conveniently justify his existence. But are such flimsy rationalizations the right path to pursue? Only Bad can answer that question, but he must first decide whether he’s getting enough out of his current life to stay locked in place.

The message of this film will no doubt resonate with those who can identify with Bad’s situation. I believe this is particularly true for those who’ve experienced multiple hardships and/or those who’ve reached a certain age, such as Baby Boomers approaching retirement. For some, change might be refreshingly welcome; for others, however, it may seem too late to start over or to strike out in a new direction, but that need not be the case unless one intentionally holds onto beliefs confirming such notions.

I had always been told, for example, that, if you don’t write your first book by the time you’re 35, you never will, and for a while, I had bought into that belief in a big way. But that idea is a belief, nothing more, subject to alteration, just as any such notion is. I reminded myself of that when I published my first book at the supposedly over-the-hill age of 50. It really never is too late for any of us to usher changes into our lives unless we block them by our own convictions.

“Crazy Heart” illustrates this sentiment quite effectively. It’s one of the picture’s greatest strengths, even if this theme (and the movie’s overall story line, for that matter) isn’t especially original (much of the narrative is reminiscent of the 1983 award-winning film “Tender Mercies” with Robert Duvall, who also has a small supporting role in this picture). Its greatest asset, though, is serving as a showcase for Jeff Bridges, both as an actor and as a surprisingly good singer. He’s received much acclaim for his performance, and he’s justifiably considered to be a strong awards season contender, as evidenced by his Golden Globe win for best actor in a dramatic film. The film also features a fine performance by Colin Farrell, again both for his acting and his very capable singing. Thankfully, these elements, along with T Bone Burnett’s excellent award-winning score, shine strongly enough to distract viewers from its greatest weakness, the seriously erroneous miscasting of Maggie Gyllenhaal in the female lead. She comes across more like an overly perky flight attendant than a serious reporter, and her perpetually breathless delivery, which was perfect for her role in ”Away We Go” earlier last year, is all wrong here.

For those who’ve seen their fair share of birthdays, it may be easy to think it’s too late to make significant changes in their beliefs or in their lives. But that’s a choice, not a fact. It’s the wise person who has the insight to know the difference—and to proceed accordingly.

Copyright © 2010, by Brent Marchant. All rights reserved.

VividLife.me Contributor

A lifelong movie fan and longtime student of metaphysics (with an emphasis in law of attraction/conscious creation principles), free-lance writer/editor Brent Marchant is the author of Get the Picture: Conscious Creation Goes to the Movies (Moment Point Press, www.momentpoint.com). His additional writing credits include contributions to www.beliefnet.com and to Divine Revolution, Sethnet Journal and Reality Change magazines. Brent also maintains an ongoing blog about metaphysical cinema at www.getthepicturebrentmarchant.blogspot.com. He holds a B.A. in magazine journalism from Syracuse University and resides in Chicago. You can email him at brentmarchant@momentpoint.com.

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Living in Harmony

“Avatar” (2009). Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoë Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel David Moore, Dileep Rao, CCH Pounder, Wes Studi, Laz Alonso. Director: James Cameron. Screenplay: James Cameron. www.avatarmovie.com.

Given the many challenges our planet faces today, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that the only way we’ll resolve them is if we all cooperate to find workable, mutually acceptable solutions. And if those solutions one day call for us to go off-world to find the means to make their implementation possible, we had better learn that lesson first, for if our journeys connect us with the indigenous beings of such far-off planets, then the need for cooperation will multiply exponentially. Such is the lesson we should take away from the sci-fi fantasy, “Avatar.”

When paraplegic Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) has a chance to begin his life anew, he grabs it. He’s offered an opportunity to work off-world on the lushly forested moon Pandora, where a mining consortium seeks to acquire the mineral unobtanium, a substance that promises to solve Earth’s energy crisis. But getting this precious commodity isn’t easy, because its richest concentrations are located in the homelands of the Na’vi, the moon’s 10-foot-tall, blue-skinned native inhabitants. Like many indigenous people, they have a strong tie to their land, communing with it as one, so they protect it fiercely against the advances of the human marauders, much to the mining company’s growing consternation.

This is where Jake comes in. He’s part of an operation known as the Avatar program in which hybrid beings created from a combination of human and Na’vi DNA are sent into the forest to interact as liaisons with the natives. Each avatar is linked to the consciousness of a human “driver” (like Jake), thereby making it possible for the avatars to engage the Na’vi with no physical harm to the humans directing their actions. Guiding Jake in his efforts are program director Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver), fellow driver Norm Spellman (Joel David Moore), researcher Max Patel (Dileep Rao) and pilot Trudy Chacon (Michelle Rodriguez). Together they seek to engage harmoniously with the Na’vi, while simultaneously making it possible for the mining operation to move forward with its objectives. It’s all a very well-intentioned undertaking.

But despite such good intentions, the Avatar program’s progress is too slow for the mining company’s administrator, Parker Selfridge (Giovanni Ribisi), and his army of mercenaries, led by Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang). So, to help speed things along, Quaritch secretly promises Jake that, if he provides him with intelligence on how to infiltrate the Na’vi, he’ll arrange for Jake to get an expensive (but effective) surgery to restore the use of his legs. It’s an offer Jake finds hard to refuse.

All of that changes, however, when Jake engages the Na’vi through his avatar. While on a reconnaissance mission with his teammates, he becomes separated from them and must learn to deal with the natives one-on-one. Through his contact with the warrior princess Neytiri (Zoë Saldana), Jake learns the ways of this enlightened people and suddenly finds himself torn between which masters he must serve. He’ll ultimately need to choose, though, for the fate of Pandora—and two species—will depend on his decision.

“Avatar” is a film rich and diverse in its themes, all of which are delivered rather matter-of-factly, skillfully avoiding the pitfall of heavy handedly beating viewers in imparting its messages. In doing so, it draws inspiration from pictures as diverse as clash-of-cultures movies like “Dances with Wolves” and “At Play in the Fields of the Lord” to profit-at-all-costs films like “Aliens” (one of director James Cameron’s earlier offerings) to any number of movies with environmental messages and even the morality plays of the “Star Wars” series. It also has a potent metaphysical message about the intrinsic connectedness of all things, a keystone principle of law of attraction/conscious creation thought, and how we in the industrialized world have largely lost sight of that concept. But, perhaps most importantly, viewers are regularly shown through the experience of the Na’vi how the world around us originates from within, with our thoughts, beliefs and intents, an example we’d be wise to follow.

Having said that, though, I must add that, despite its many laudable thematic qualities, the picture’s story isn’t especially original. Its narrative is rather predictable, its characters are often one-dimensional, and its dialogue is at times a little trite and uninspired. But, given the mythic quality of the tale and the value of its attendant themes, it’s easier to overlook such shortcomings here than they would be in a lesser movie.

What “Avatar” may lack in plotline originality, however, it more than makes up for in artistic inventiveness. The film is visually stunning, with brilliant performance capture CGI special effects. Its breathtaking scenery and surreal landscapes resemble animated versions of Roger Dean album covers from the 1970s, taking viewers to otherworldly venues of resplendent beauty (one can now see why the Na’vi are so protective of their domain). Because of this, I’d recommend seeing the picture in the 3D or IMAX® versions, if possible.

Living in harmony is a goal that has always seemed to elude us as a species. The time has come now, as we begin a new year and a new decade, to set aside excuses about our failure to effectively pursue this goal, and “Avatar” provides a plethora of reasons for why we should do so. May we all come away from watching it with the resolve we need to get the job done.

Copyright © 2010, by Brent Marchant. All rights reserved.

VividLife.me Contributor

A lifelong movie fan and longtime student of metaphysics (with an emphasis in law of attraction/conscious creation principles), free-lance writer/editor Brent Marchant is the author of Get the Picture: Conscious Creation Goes to the Movies (Moment Point Press, www.momentpoint.com). His additional writing credits include contributions to www.beliefnet.com and to Divine Revolution, Sethnet Journal and Reality Change magazines. Brent also maintains an ongoing blog about metaphysical cinema at www.getthepicturebrentmarchant.blogspot.com. He holds a B.A. in magazine journalism from Syracuse University and resides in Chicago. You can email him at brentmarchant@momentpoint.com.

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