Watch This! A Story of Sisterhood: "The Door" By Ava DuVernay & Mui Mui, Starring Gabby Union, Goapele & Alfre Woodard

 
Last night I watched "The Door", a short film collaboration between filmmaker Ava DuVernay and fashion brand Miu Miu as part of the brand's "Women's Tales" series. And, I was completely blown away by the film's stunning visuals and the simplicity of the story telling. The silent film infuses everything - music, bold colours and beautiful fashion - to tell a story of sisterhood, love, the people in our lives who lift us up when we refuse to pick ourselves up after loss and our journeys back to becoming whole again.

"The Door" showcases the kinds of essential friendships that every womyn needs in her circle: the older sister figure who is there to listen and give you advice, the fun sister-friend who is guaranteed to make you laugh and take you out of your comfort zone, the close friend who when shows up you know everything will be all right and then finally the mother figure who is wise enough to advise you that things will get better. Whether you see these characteristics in different friends or perhaps in one girlfriend, it makes you really think about who you would lean on in your hardest of times.

Here's a description of the film:

The Door, by Ava DuVernay, the fifth Miu Miu Women’s Tale, is a celebration of the transformative power of feminine bonds, and a symbolic story of life change. The symbolic centre of The Door is the front entrance of the protagonist’s home. As she opens it to greet a friend in the powerfully framed opening scenes, she is shrouded in an oblique sadness.

“In the film, characters arrive at the door of a friend in need, bringing something of themselves,” explains director DuVernay. “Eventually, we witness our heroine ready to walk through the door on her own. The door in the film represents a pathway to who we are.”

Clothing is also a symbol of renewal, each change of costume charting our heroine’s emergence from a chrysalis of sadness. In the final scenes, she takes off her ring, pulls on long, black leather gloves, and walks, transformed by the emotive power of the clothing, through the door.

I can go on about what a beautiful portrayal of friendship, black womyn and self-discovery this but watch it for yourselves here:

Meet me in the comment section and tell me what you think of this film!

Monday Motivation: What About Your Friends? The 5 Friends Every Person Needs in Their Circle

Will smith has said, "You can tell how far in life you'll go by the 5 people you spend the most amount of time with". Does your power circle look like this? If not, create your own version.

I've been putting the final touches on my Artist Millionaire workshop (Only 5 days left!) and I've been thinking about the atmosphere that I want to create for it - one where we can all connect and share. This had me thinking about the people we choose to surround ourselves with. Our mothers have always warned us when we were young that, "you are known by the company you keep" which was used as a warning to stay away from the other kids that were constantly in trouble and heading down the wrong path. But as we've grown up and released our trouble making friends, there are still a few friends that you should be cautious of spending too much time with as they too can lead you down the wrong path. 

We've all at some point in our lives had people around us who consistently seem to get knocked down by the blows of life - complain, lack motivation, stay stagnant and never evolve. You may love the people in your life and share many memories with them, but spending too much time with them will drain you as their lack of passion ultimately starts to creep into your life. It eventually gets harder to stay motivated and be grateful for the awesome things happening in your own life. 

If you look at any successful person, they always have a network of friends around them who are successful as well. Here are 5 types of people that I believe should be in everyone's power circle:

The Jay to Your Kanye - This person has become a mentor in your life. You respect their achievements and who they are as a person. Stay around these types to soak up as much knowledge as you can in order to get to your next level of success.

The Confidant - This is the friend that can talk you off of any ledge. They understand who you are and what you are trying to achieve and will always be there to steer you back onto your path even when you start to drift.

The Professional Friend - Someone who is in your industry who you can bounce ideas off of, will give you insider's advice and who you can hit up networking events with.

The Good-Time Friend - Whether you're laughing with each other over a glass of wine, dancing at a lounge or just sharing a quick convo over text, this person makes you smile and laugh HARD. Being around them always brings positive vibes and lightens the mood.

The Accountability Partner - Whether you have hired this person (like a life coach or personal trainer) or a friend has self appointed themselves for this position, they are always there to be honest, keep you in check and making sure that you continue to hit your goals. Never allowing you to plateau or give up.

Some of us are lucky enough to have all of these in our inner circle or maybe I described one person. But, many of us are lacking a few or even all of them. If you can't think of any person in your life who falls into these categories, get out there and meet new people, create the circle that you want! There may be those that you have to cut ties with and others that you may have to see a little bit less. Either way, it's important to take an inventory of the people in your life and see if they are adding to or subtracting from it. Are the people in your life invested in you? Do they want to see you win? Picking and choosing who you want to spend time with is not selfish but the best strategy in preserving and protecting your dreams.

Choose wisely!

The Artist Millionaire Workshop is quickly approaching! This will be a great opportunity to meet and connect with like-minded people to add to your circle. Take this opportunity! If you haven't done so already, please click here to register.

Happy Monday!

Front Row & Backstage Pass: Your Life

I saw this on Facebook and it really resonated with me as an actor/entertainer. Especially as I closely examine who is taking up front row in my life. This was brilliantly written by Sabeen F. Haque.....think about it! 

It doesn't really matter what stage you are at in your life- take a minute and consider the following....

The lights are dimmed, the curtains are raised and right there on center stage- the spotlight shines on you. This is your life. And you are the star of the show.

As you look out- you see your audience. Move your gaze and focus on the front row. Who do you see? These are the people who have been given the honour of having the best seats in your life. Are they your biggest fans? Are they giving you a standing ovation? When you look out- are these the familiar faces that you want to see.

Now take a step back. Look behind you. Who is standing backstage? If this was your last performance- is this the same face or faces that you would want to see?

We have all handed out front row and backstage passes to our lives. Take some time and think about who these ticket holders are? Do they deserve to be there? Do they support you through your life's performances? Everyone applauds when your show is a hit- but who is there for you when your show is a flop? Who are the faces that you look to for comfort. The ones who love you no matter how you perform? The ones who will cheer the loudest and be there no matter what price they have to pay?Is there anyone missing? 

Now consider...is there someone there who does not deserve to be? This is your stage and you can do as you choose. Your act is not over and you still have time to make it right. Your ushers are standing by. Ready to accompany your VIP's to the front and to kick out the ones who should be in standing room only or out completely.

This is your life and there is no dress rehearsal. The second act is yet to come. You decide...

How To Let Someone Go

Many of the womyn that I'm currently coaching are experiencing loss. Loss of relationships, friendships, and their children.... thus I have been asked by many of them to share my own experience concerning letting go of others or to write about "letting go" and I had resisted. But sometimes the universe has a way of making you do things even when you don't want too... as I experience my own loss and the meaning of it, i have felt compelled to write!  

The article originally appears in the Huffington Post. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/trey-anthony/break-up-advice_b_1478884.html

Enjoy and share. Welcome your feedback!  And don't forget to share it...tweet it...email it...Facebook it....it's something that we can all relate to!