Friday, August 2, 2013

I...HAVE A BRAIN CLOUD

In 1990 Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan stared in the first of what would be, three, movies together...Joe Versus the Volcano. Joe Versus the Volcano Trailer 1990

Since I was a big Tom Hanks fan (who didn't LOVE The Burbs, Turner & Hooch, Bachelor Party...okay...dating myself here) I decided that I would welcome this movie with open arms as I needed a good chuckle. The first time I watched this movie...I fell asleep. I was confused by the depressing overtones in the beginning and the slow dragging scenes that made me somewhat uncomfortable. Where was the slap-stick comedy...where were the light over tones? 

It wasn't until a few years later at a Tony Robbins seminar that he referred to the movie and explained the premise of this brilliant story that I went back and watched it...dozens of times. It was in that moment I recognized myself in that movie and decided that was NOT going to be me. I would not get a Brain Cloud.

Robert Wilson brilliantly gives a three-part overview on YouTube explaining the nuances of each scene and overall theme of the movie, in case you are interested.
Joe vs. the Volcano: Losing My Soul Part 1
Joe vs. the Volcano: Losing My Soul Part 2
Joe vs. the Volcano: Losing My Soul Part 3


Fast forward to August 2, 2013. I am at Penn Station getting off my morning train from Long Island as I do every other day, Monday through Friday, and it hits me!...the opening scene of Joe Versus the Volcano where everyone files into work on the same path looking like they are half dead and miserable. I..had a Brain Cloud!

Opening for Joe Versus the Volcano

How the hell did I get here? Oh yeah...that's right...this was the goal...to work in the big city with a fancy office and a fancy title doing what I love, convincing myself that THIS is where I wanted to be. But somewhere along the way, my ideas and goals for my life changed...as well they should, I guess. 

Now don't get me wrong...I DO love my job....what I do, where I work, the people I work with...I have it VERY good and I do know that, so please understand that I am not one of those people who sold their soul to the devil for a pay check. I have just been stuck for awhile now inside my own head, with voices shouting at me that you are not happy...you are not doing what your soul is screaming to do....but what is that???

For months I have been  racking my brain tried to figure out what makes me happy (work wise). It's funny how when all of the other pieces of your life come together and you are truly happy, that ONE (or two or three) area of your life you are not happy with gets magnified a million times more. 

I am a VERY creative and a visual person and have always been my best when making things or creating ideas...it's what lights the fire in my soul and one of the main reasons I went into pubic relations. But now, I fell that fire is dim and the creative spark lost to the day to day management of simple things and the same ideas regurgitated a dozen times to produce the same results. DEFINITION OF INSANITY: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result!


I have always been a jewelry designer and maker and found solace in keeping a small business on the side to feed my creative spark...but for some reason, it wasn't cutting it now and I wanted more. I always envied those DIYers who are the McGyvers of Dumper Diving...I never had that vision. But I am suddenly inspired to take the old and make it new...to live a much simpler life...to value the people that matter and do what makes me happy.

So, today, I had the revelation that I desperately need to feed my soul some happiness pills in the form of creativity and inspiration and do what makes me happy...and I am...starting now. And who knows, maybe someday I will quit my job, move to a small town and have a shop where people can admire my beautiful creations and feature other artists and soul-happy people. I believe you cannot make beautiful things without a happy soul and a passion that is unexplainable for what you do. That is what I long for. And for now, I will have to settle for that introduction into my life...I am realistic that bills need to be paid here...and slowly transform my life into something artistic and beautiful and happy...that does not involve high rise buildings, long commutes and working for a paycheck. Keep you posted. :)







MY FAVORITE QUOTE OF ALL TIME...