Christmas with Christopher Plummer & Carrie Fisher!

I recently saw two movies during this winter holiday season.  First, I saw All the Money in the World.  I was inspired to do so after seeing an interview with Christopher Plummer. He took Kevin Spacey’s place at the midnight hour as J. Paul Getty.   He is now 88 years old and he had only a few days to do the filming so that it could make the Christmas Day deadline.

Of course, we all loved him as Captain Von Trapp in the beloved film The Sound of Music.  Interestingly, he had no love for the movie or the character that he played but it is that part as the family patriarch for which he is most remembered.

Christopher Plummer was superb in his performance as the miserly oil tycoon, J. Paul Getty.  Most of the movie focused on the kidnapping of his grandson in Italy at the age of 16.  Plummer was quite convincing as one who held on very tightly to his purse strings.  He was shown with his laundry hanging in the hotel bathroom that he had washed by hand as opposed to paying the staff.

His grandson was held for several months by his captors before Getty paid the ransom and the teen severely suffered during the ordeal.  Surely, there will be an Oscar buzz for Christopher Plummer’s classic acting and for Michelle Williams, who played Gail, young Getty’s desperate mother. Also, Mark Wahlberg was fantastic as Fletcher Chase, an advisor to both Gail and Getty.

Secondly, I went to see Star Wars: The Last Jedi.  The instant battles jarred me awake during this early morning viewing.  There was constant conflict between the forces and I had a bit of a time keeping up with all of the characters.  There were many in the cast but the sound effects and high-levels of creativity kept me on the edge of my seat as I followed the many twists and turns of the plot.

I felt frustrated at times and I then remembered my real reason for coming to see Star Wars: The Last Jedi.  I had enjoyed other Star Wars movies but this was my personal time to say goodbye to Carrie Fisher.  It would be the last time to see her as Lela- this time as Lela Organa.  She was smooth, reserved and mature in her role and she appeared to have found some inner secret to life’s mysteries. She had evolved from the anxious voice that had written Postcards from the Edge many years ago.

At the end of the movie, it was apparent that the Jedi would survive after being engaged in multiple battles with the forces of darkness.  The children had witnessed it all and some were already emulating Luke Skywalker.  There was hope.

Christopher Plummer and Carrie Fisher were my incentives for seeing both movies.  As a result, I learned about the Getty history while the stage designs and props from Star Wars showcased the power of imaginative minds.

It was a grand opportunity to see the golden-aged Christopher Plummer plunge into a great, impromptu role and a chance to get a final wink from Carrie Fisher who is still speaking to us from the other side. Both actors helped my Christmas break shine even more brightly!

Lynn M.                                                               December 30, 2017

 

Shining the Light!

During the most wonderful time of the year, we should let our lights shine and pierce the darkness.  All of us come into adulthood with many preconceived notions on a variety of topics.  We bring our attitudes and beliefs with us from what we learned from our childhood days.

We have unconsciously formed opinions based on what we heard or overheard in our family homes. We may not realize what has seeped down into our consciousness or psyche until something disturbing appears in our lives.

It has probably manifested itself from our deep-seated, hidden scars that have been tucked away from our sight or public view.  And then, “Pop!”  It shows up and we are forced to deal with it.  We may have to go back through many rooms or take a proverbial time capsule back to an earlier time in our lives.

Then, we must become quiet and still. If we listen very closely, those old negative voices will be re-heard.  Eventually, we might say, ”Aha! There you are. You must go!”  Then, during this sainted time of the year, we should start a deep cleanse.  We can scrub and peel off more layers of darkness.  We realize that we have been roaming around in the dark long enough.

We locate the light switch and turn on the light.  The darkness flees.  The Christ light shines in every corner and we forge ahead.  We can walk on a more lighted path with a thankful heart that we can now see our way!

Lynn M.                                                                     December 23, 2017

 

Grow and Glow!

Plants reach, cling and gravitate towards the light for survival.  As spiritual beings, we do the same things hoping that some light will be shed on our lives as we look for our purpose, true mission and divine assignments.

We were all put here to accomplish or contribute something unique because we are one of a kind and there are no duplications.  We were intricately designed and put here to be a part of a larger plan

If we are lucky, we will be fortunate enough to leave positive marks behind for the next generations to follow. So, it is our task to find out what we were put her to do and which gifts we can utilize as we work on our paths.

Clearly, parents know their children and they often see their talents early in life . They can readily see which ones are potential athletes or actors from watching their children’s preferences as they play. But as adults, things may become a bit hazy as we move through life with its many twists and turns.

Sometimes, we take on various types of work to keep afloat and in the humdrum of everyday life, we may forget what we really love to do.  Confucius says, “Choose a job you love and you will never work a day in your life.” If we can become still enough and remember those childhood favorite things, we will probably remember what it is that we really loved doing back in those days.

If was sketching, perhaps we can still create a comic strip to make others laugh.  If was painting, then we can visit the art store and pick up a new set of brushes.  If it was taking things apart and reassembling them, then we can go to a Makerspace class at the local library and meet other builders with like minds.

It is our challenge to find our niche.  Once we have found it, we should dig in and give it all we’ve got.  Then, we can truly grow and glow!

Lynn M.                                                                                          December 16, 2017

Our Journeys!

 

Maya Angelou wrote a book called Wouldn’t Take Nothing for the Journey Now which shared parts of her illustrious life. When we reflect on our lives, we should be in agreement with her and show gratitude for what we have already received.

As we walk our reflective journeys toward the close of the year, we collect our thoughts.  If we are honest, we can recount our big and small, yet superfluous blessings.  Past wonders will flourish forth as we realize that quiet angels softly whispered in our ears telling us which way to go at many given times.

We may have spoken a quick thanks in our hurried daily movements but have we really taken time to give adequate thanks? Have we acknowledged all of the things that we have been saved from? Visible and unseen forces have rushed to our assistance and nudged us back onto the right paths when we’ve veered off.

We know that we are imperfect beings and either our lack of information or understanding may have steered us into dangerous zones.  As the old adage goes, “If I’d known better, I would have done better.” 

But thank goodness Divine Intervention interceded while we were out there navigating those choppy waters. Once our feet are on dry ground again and we can see our way, we stop and catch our breaths.  Eventually, we will see the titillating gains shining through and we can audibly sigh, “I wouldn’t take nothing for the journey!”

 

Lynn M.                                                                                     December 9, 2017

Prepare Ye!

 

As we come upon the close of 2017 and approach the most wonderful time of the year, we should push the Pause Button.  Here are  some questions we could ask ourselves:

• What did I accomplish in 2017?
• What will I have to carry over to my 2018 To Do List?
• What were my gains?
• What were my losses?
• What new friends and associates did I add to my roster?
• Which ones did I lose or let go?
• What did I drop because it no longer positively served me?
• What could I have handled differently?
• What are my regrets, if any?
• What else do I need to discard or release?
• What can I do between now and December 31st to be truly prepared for 2018?

As we authentically prepare for 2018, we should try to enter the year with as clean a slate as possible.  This is comparable to asking young students to clean off their whiteboards before presenting the next math problem.

Similar to life’s events, new problems come with any new territory. They come to help us grow and evolve as spiritual beings and we are better able to solve them if we have a lightened load.

So prepare ye!  Do an inventory and a deep inner cleansing before ringing in the New Year!

Lynn M.                                                                   December 2, 2017

 

December Joy!

Snowflakes falling to the ground,
Gigantic blessings all around.

The most wondrous time of the year,
Sharing so much holiday cheer.

Bell ringers asking for that cash,
Folks shopping, moving in a dash!

Spend, gather, laugh and celebrate,
This year and before it’s too late!

Lynn M.                                               December 2, 2017