We’ve had a lot of time alone.  Some of us haven’t seen each other for a while.  We most likely are missing family and friends.  And things are not like what they used to be.  The world has changed.  No matter how many of us want things to go back, we must always be present – live in the moment – and move forward with the highest of hopes.  Yes, I’m talking about you Covid.  Yes – all of us are sick and tired, and just want to move on.   And we will.  Trust that truth.  Embrace it with your heart and mind.  But in the meantime, don’t miss this moment.  Give reflection a chance to blossom.  Look within, not without.  It’s sometimes scary to be alone with just our thoughts.

Richard Carlson – an American author, psychotherapist and motivational speaker (who sadly died at the young age of 57 from a pulmonary embolism), had this to say about reflection:

Discouragement is so easy to come by in this imperfect world.  Life is a challenge.   But that is not such a bad thing.  Challenges are made to be conquered.  Every time I sit down to write, it is a challenge.  Some days it flows.   Most days it doesn’t.  But when it does, it’s like climbing a mountain and when you get to the top, you’re not even tired.   Take heart in this moment, for tomorrow you can guarantee another challenge awaits.  It always does.  A stressful job.   Lack of direction. Aging parents.  Bad diets.  The need to exercise/look after one’s health.  A problem child.  Divorce/separation.   And the list goes on and on, fill in the blank.

Here is a couple great quotes from the great Martin Luther King Jr. regarding challenges:

Challenges can bring us to higher levels if we are open to the unknown, rocky paths ahead.  Chose the rocky paths.  They build good muscle, give us stamina.   They force us to try harder.   Rocky paths make us realize that we are a lot stronger than we think.   If we just glide through life, unbothered or untethered, we might never discover our truest gifts.  What we are made for.

Creative expression comes so often from those rocky paths.  Some of the best films, books, plays come from those who have suffered.  These artists pass their art onto us so we can reflect more deeply on our lives.  They shine a light in the shadows so we can see better the road ahead.

Last month my screenplay LET IT SHINE  landed as a finalist in the StoryPros International Screenplay Contest.  I was super pumped being in the top 5% of all entries.  I felt confident that I would be in the winner’s circle.  Thank you to everyone who wrote/spoke encouraging words to me!  I read and listen to them all.

Onto the TOP 5 Screenplay Winners:

As you can see, LET IT SHINE was not in the top 5.  So yeah, this was disappointing, especially since I’ve received many positive reviews on the script.  So what do you do?  One could wallow in self-pity or you pick yourself up and move onto the next challenge.  My time will come.  It may not be how I imagined it.  It may not be what I imagined.  The little victories add up to bigger ones.  Life is always in the making.  What are you making?   I often cannot see where I am going.  I fight apathy and lack of confidence.  It’s part of this wacky mystery we call life.  Don’t beat yourself up.

In the meantime, A PROMISE I MADE FOR MR. BAGELS is the latest screenplay challenge I’m trying to conquer.  I’m struggling with the story but little by little creation is happening.  I’m climbing that mountain.   Five words that best describe the script of  MR. BAGELS:  Tragic, Wild,  Fantastical, Hilarious, Obsessive.

What challenges are you facing today?  My hope is this new year brings something new to you.  But remember this, don’t believe the flip of the calendar means miraculously you’re a new person.  Those are lies we tell ourselves.  The person you were on December 31, 2021 is the same person you are today – January 5, 2022.  You want change, work at it.  It takes time.  And it is a challenge.  But you’re up for it.    All the best till next time.