Saturday, November 22, 2008

Thoughts on the movie: The Bucket List

I do not intend to include any spoilers, so read on freely.

I watched the movie, The Bucket List, today on DVD starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. It struck me as odd to have the finale of the movie revealed in the opening scene. I'm glad I was mistaken. The story is about two men who have terminal cancer. One of them creates a "bucket list" containing 10 things to do before he dies. Together they embark on a journey living out the remainder of their lives, doing things they either wanted to do before and didn't or grander things because they were short on time.

I was left with one basic realization. Perhaps it's obvious. Of all the things they put on their shared list, I realized the right thing to do is live life to the FULLEST everyday. Don't wait for a life threatening anything to steal your time. Make your bucket list NOW and live it out as completely as you can.

Make time to do the things that are important to you; especially the things that make you happy. Create your list as goals ASAP. Know yourself and change what is necessary to do the things you want to do. There are only 24 hours in every day minus the time you sleep and work. What's left is yours. Be liberated from the people and things which you allow to dictate your life schedule.

Og Mandino said it well: "....Separate yourself now from the multitude of humanity so that you will be able to control your own destiny. Remember that what others think and say and do need never influence what you think and say and do."

So practice your freedom. Be free to say and do and be the best person you can be. Give yourself permission. Attract the life you want. Think about the good feelings that surround you when your happiest. What makes you happy? There is no giant blackboard in the sky with a list from God dictating the things God wants you to do. Those things on life's blackboard is entirely up to you. Erase the things that you dislike. Honor good, ethical, and moral behavior. Be grateful by making lists of everything in your life for which you give thanks everyday. Think of the people that inspire you. Think of the good things that others do for you. Pay it forward. become the person you wish others would be.

Make your "bucket list" count. Make your life count.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Art reflections


So much of the art I enjoy doing is re-thinking subjects that already exist. I'm inspired by favorite TV shows, movies, cartoons, etc. In this case, I LOVE the Blue Dog painting series by George Rodrigue. His paintings are so cool. As some things in life go, the simplest ideas can often carry the most gratification to the viewer. I had been thinking of other familiar dogs. Scooby Doo is still quite popular, almost 40-years later. The character seemed a natural pick for me to do in this quick photoshop "oil paint" treatment on. Huckleberry Hound? Too obvious, however....