"Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means you've decided to look beyond the imperfections." -Unknown

Movie Montage

We've all seen movies depicting a 'movie montage.' The films typically express the underdog training for a fight or race, drinking healthy drinks, working out, hitting a boxing pad, and of course excessive sweating. The montage is never complete without the music: cliche 80's hits like Eye of the Tiger, a husky male voice (such as Kenny Loggins), and a female background singer who's job is solely based on repeating the anthem. The whole concept of a movie montage is to convey that a time has passed, work has been done, and the hero is now ready for the 'big fight.' He's prepared, fit, appreciative of his trainer, and of course- still sweaty.

Some of the epic movie montages include:
8. 'Teen Wolf'- Win in the End
7. 'Naked Gun'- I'm Into Something Good
6. 'Dirty Dancing'- Hungry Eyes
5. 'Revenge of the Nerds'- One Foot in front of the Other
4. 'The Karate Kid'- You're The Best
3. 'Ghostbusters'
2. 'Scarface'- Push it to the Limit
1. 'Rocky IV'- The Training Montage

And of course the best movie montage, in my opinion, is Team America-World Police "Montage"; a self-conscious take on movie montage's concentrating on cliche build-up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIi0vFyqWAc

So, you say, "Why movie montage's?" In person, I'd respond: "Why NOT movie montages?!" But since the blog needs a point consider the following:

1. If someone was to make a movie montage of the 'training' time in your life, what would the theme song be?
2. In your montage are you training for the big fight, just getting in shape, or feel like you're on your own (no trainer)?
3. Who would your trainer be (a friend, relative, co-worker, pet, God, a book, a concept)?
4. What did you train for specifically (career path, death of a friend/family member, school, sprititual battle)?

As cliche as movie montage's are, the whole concept is to convey that time has passed considerably in such a short section of film. If you're in the middle of yours, don't give up. There is always a hindsight perspective. If you've only just begun, get a great trainer and some kick butt music and truck on through.

Finding Your Strengths!

In order to key in on how YOU can function best as a person, I challenge you to identify your strengths! You probably have a pretty good idea at some of the things that inspire you, come easy to you, and challenge you. Putting those thoughts into specific characteristics can help you see a bigger picture as to how your specific talents can fit into other areas of life.

First, think about what you're good at, what inspires you, what comes easy to you, and several characteristics that others admire about you. List your Top 4 (for example: critical thinking, hope for the future, enthusiasm, including others, task focused/OR relationship focused etc.).

Second, go to http://www.viasurvey.org/ and briefly register (FREE) to take the VIA-SURVEY FOR CHARACTER STRENGTHS. I highly recommend this questionnaire and use it in my own personal coaching sessions. It takes about 35 minutes to take the 240 question survey. When completed, it measures you on 24 different strength levels. Note your top 4 and bottom 4.

Third, take your TOP 4 STRENGTHS and think about new ways to use them. For example: if your strength is creativity, set aside specific hours to simply increase your creativity levels (by writing, reading, making). If your strength is appreciation of beauty/nature, find better ways to incorporate this into your life (take a scenic route home, take a walk after dinner, set aside time for some fresh air). Ultimately, strive to push the envelope with your strengths in order to start growing them.

Finally, when you are doing something you love, enjoy, and are good at- your body and mind will respond! You're "pleasure center" (septum pellicidium & hypothalamus) in the brain will excrete domaine into the body creating a satisfied feeling. Dopamine directly effects mood, sleep, cognition, voluntary movement, motivation, a sense of reward, attention and learning. Ultimately, the more you grow and pay attention to YOUR STRENGTHS, your body responds positively.

Additionally, I recommend the Keirsey Personality Test (www.keirsey.com). Shorter versions of the test can be found by searching Myers Briggs (aka Keirsey).

Find what you're good at and GROW it!