Small Changes

Escapism, mental diversion by means of entertainment or recreation as an "escape" from the perceived unpleasant or banal aspects of daily life. It can also be used to define the actions people take to help relieve persisting feelings of depression or general sadness. 

Entire industries have sprung up to foster a growing tendency of people to remove themselves from the rigors of daily life. Film, television, YouTube, and even activities that are normal parts of a healthy existence (e.g., eating, sleeping, exercise, sexual activity) can also become avenues of escapism when taken to extremes or out of proper context.

Something that is mere "daydreaming" or "escapism" -from the viewpoint of a technological rational society- might be a seed for a new and more humane social order. It could be seen as an "immature, but honest substitute for a revolution".

Social justice could not be realized without seeing things fundamentally differently. It's time to consider alternate views and open our eyes to a different perspective. It's time to take responsibility for ourselves and realize we have control over the environments we chose to immerse into. Take the reins, reach the point where you do care enough to make the change to be self-responsible and self-aware. 

Set no boundaries for yourself, diffuse those constructed by others. Sometimes people run away, because they want to maintain their own illusions. Through dialog, we can uncross wires and provide positive reinforcement for those who have unintentionally constructed self-destructive mind bombs. We can attempt to smooth the foundations of the mind and begin building castles by considering alternative perspectives and exchanging concise dialogue that will influence society to share a greater understanding, explore the depths of their abilities, take control, and live the dream. 

I started this blog right before my journey cross-country from a small farm town to the big city of Los Angeles. I was engaged to be married to my High School sweetheart of seven years, but I realized some bigger dreams of mine and decided to set sail on my own journey. I created Cinematic Escape in hopes of empowering, inspiring, challenging and educating people to make Small Changes (in thought, word, and deed) to grow in compassion for themselves, others and the earth. And perhaps ...set sail on a journey of their own. 

Perfect Love

I’ve always believed the only way to be happy is to love. And I usually fall in love with things immediately. I love everything new until it fails me. Perhaps it’s a food I eat every day till it either makes me sick or loses its flavor. Or a song I play on repeat until I know every word and its mystery unravels. Or a person I devote all my attention to and love unconditionally until they give me a reason to pull back. Because the end result of this behavior can sometimes be disappointment, hurt, and pain, this fearless approach to love is not usually the path most traveled, but I give everything the benefit of being perfect until it’s not... No filters, no reservations... I love like a child. 

This might be a self-destructive path when I was in High School or college, but as an adult I've been proactive in making choices that support my well-being and happiness. I'm self aware now whereas before I simply followed the path of an average adolescent and watched my life happen. I'm making the proactive choice to open all the doors and fear not the pain I see necessary for growth.

I choose to allow uncertainty into my life as a way of growth. I want the ultimate experience! However, I do not allow any life threatening dangers as I am OCD about preserving my life and and the lives of my surrounding company. There's a very precious value on a heartbeat, and no experience is worth risking the rhythm of that beat.

Children view each day as an opportunity for joy. And as adults we have to get back in touch with that perspective. We all have the potential to turn away from fear and worry, and instead face the sunlight each and every day. Adults don't like being vulnerable or being in a position where they could be hurt, and many would argue by taking this position, I'm opening myself up to hurt. But in doing so, I believe I’m opening myself up to experience the greatest love that can ever be and an infinite stream of possibilities. The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward. I’ve discovered a willingness to continuously have faith and risk being disappointed. I’ve found –even disappointments can be quite rewarding. There’s a sense of understanding and clarity that can only be reached by the risky child-like traveler.

The one perhaps who leaves his memories/caution, fears, and worries behind –and instead travels light. Such a heavy mindset may prevent us from traveling down certain paths or making our own way, and this simply limits our experience and ultimate understanding. It's not being reckless in our ways because we unfortunately can not forget the "bad" experiences that we had to learn from, but we don't have to let our scars become mental blocks and boundaries. Are we unwilling participants because we rather not ‘lose?’ Do we only allow ourselves to love when it's safe and a guaranteed win? Personally, I find the reward in the journey and not the trophy, but I’ve never been a collector of things.

Even those who claim to be completely open in the beginning of a relationship, tend to become less and less open as the relationship progresses. Unfortunately, I find they stop getting to know the other person as well. They believe deception is sexy and by keeping your unfavorable attributes and opinions to yourself, this allows your partner to sustain attraction to you. But there’s only one result of deception and keeping those personal details to yourself –DIVORCE! I want to be loved for all that I am, all of the good and all of the bad. I want that person to know about and accept embrace every freckle. The scars, the imperfections, and the stories behind them are what make us real and beautiful.

People weren’t always as opinionated and open as they are today, but I’m hoping this willingness to expose even our inner most dark and ‘unattractive’ attributes, will promote greater acceptance and allow for unimaginable Love... Because happiness only exists when it is shared.

It is said that love only comes around once. But if you allow yourself to be that fearless unscathed child, that’s once a day, once an hour, once a minute, once a breath. Love can be endless.

The Leap List . . .

2012 is a Leap Year! What Are You Doing With Your Extra Day? Rather than conduct business as usual, hopefully you made February 29th special! If you didn't, let's get to it, because this year is naturally out of whack!!
 
Leap year isn't something that happens every 4 years, it happens every year, we just make up for it once every 4 years. 365 days in a year? Nope! Make that 365.242374 days it takes the earth to orbit around the sun. That's just one more common lie we all live by without question. 
         WHY

2012 is a leap year because it contains one extra day, February 29th. The leap comes in because if your birthday fell on a Friday last year, you can usually expect it to fall on the next day (Saturday) the following year. However, every four years, thanks to Julius Caesar and his extra day in February, we "leap" over the next expected day of the week. People used to believe that "monkeying" with the calendar that way actually throws nature out of whack. And it's commonly believed that Leap Year gives women the privilege of proposing marriage to men instead of the other way around. Watch out bachelors!

      WHEN IS THE PARTY

If you are born on a Leap Year, most states consider March 1st the day you get your driver's license/celebrate. We will enjoy a Leap Day once every 1461 days, so your chance of being born on Leap Year Day is about 1 in 1461. But, if you are a Leap Year baby, you're naturally famous right out of the womb and get to be in a special club. The Honor Society of Leap Year Day Babies is a free membership birthday club for people born on February 29th. One of the main goals of the Honor Society is to promote Leap Day awareness by connecting journalists with Leapers.
          THE LEAP LIST

It's time to get ready for a wacky year and start your "Leap list" of projects you've been putting off or something creative you've wanted to try but haven't had time to do.

Maybe you want to get in shape by attempting The Hunter & Gatherers' Diet, pay off your debts, learn to play guitar or buy a new computer? Travel abroad or live in Europe? Go skydiving, write a book, take a road trip across the country or go back to school? Get lasik eye surgery, learn to surf, find a job you enjoy, fall in love, make a positive impact or move to a new city? 
But let's start small and make a realistic list first! You could pull a Lady Gaga and wear something Wacky, and be "THAT" guy/girl for one day! Pay a stranger's tab at a restaurant or go on a hike and work every muscle in your body. Releasing those toxic thoughts through your pores will free your mind of stress and worries, providing a sense of clarity necessary for good decision making and problem solving. Bitches just need to run! 

You could ask someone to come out to play... Get all muddy and Nostalgic, and don't come home till you've ruined your clothes! Redecorate your space. Buy something vibrant and new or be bold for once and pick up a paint brush and just go with it! Talk to people you don’t know and keep talking till you've made a new friend. Challenge your taste buds and change it up! Put some Protein Shakes and Almond Milk on that Leap List.

               EXPLORE

Go to google, ask a question, and read about something you've always wondered. READ MORE!! Knowledge is the power and key to understanding. Want to escape your daily routine? Explore the unknown! Take a different path! Maybe you'll discover an opportunity or meet someone new.

Those that choose to challenge themselves often come back a completely changed person. They have gained a new perspective by interacting with a new experience, formed new viewpoints, and even improved their routine lives. 

New experiences are rewarding, fulfilling, and extremely meaningful, because they promote personal development and empower people to take action and make a change. Realize your infinite potential and develop your talents. 

Do whatever it is you need to do so you feel confident, but take a leap of faith in yourself this year and start on that list!

"The Ultimate Cliche". . .

You Can't Ignore It... Once again it's that time of year to tell someone just how special you really think they are! Orrr to hide from the person you're dating and "Unfortunately be very busy February 14th."

Valentine's Day is the the holiday everyone loves to hate! I personally think everyone should get the day off, I mean what's more important than Love?!

Maybe, you've never actually celebrated the holiday with that special someone, so you're a HATER and totally bash the holiday and all those who celebrate it. But it used to not be that way! Remember grade school and all the valentines and candies received in your special box from all your classmates?! I swear some mothers failed to read what the cards said before properly declaring the To: and From: parts, but I personally remember reading each one and thinking carefully about who should get the spicy cards, "My Heart is Yours, Be Mine!" and then the safe ones, "You're Cool!" From Lizzy. 

I thought about life after the cards and most of the time, I decided to save face and just give the lovey dovey ones to my best girlfriends. Butttt, there was always someone who I really wanted to give a special valentine to. Sometimes, I took the risk but like most of us still today, I usually kept it safe. More importantly though, "There was always someone."

I remember reading and rereading AND saving the ones that were very complimentary from the boys I liked. Even if I didn't like the boy before I got that sweet valentine from him, suddenly I found myself thinking about him in a special kind of way. At that point, I didn't take into account that boys are really lazy and most of the time, their mothers were just filling out the valentines with the class roster the teacher provided as if it was just homework. No!!! That 10 cent square of recycled cardboard, coverd with red hearts and classic cliches, meant someone thought I was special!

 

Boys seemed to really not mind the holiday when they had a big box of free candy to feast on. Their hatred for the holiday seemed to surface at a later age when the candy was no longer free, their mothers weren't there to fill out their valentines, and more importantly... no roster was provided to tell them exactly who to give valentines to. 

Many say, "If you have loved someone secretly, then Valentine's Day is the perfect occasion to bare your heart and let that special someone know just how special you think they really are." 

I don't necessarily agree with suddenly coming out of the dark with violent flames of love, especially on Valentine's Day, and pouring your heart out to that secret crush of yours who has no idea you lust for even a chance with them.... I don't see that ending well. Butttttt, I do believe it's important to spend the day with someone you love even if that's just a friend, or Doing something you love! As for that secret crush and those feelings chipping away at your heart and dominating your dreams, I think friendship should always be the first approach. And I don't suggest Valentine's Day as a first date, unless it's a Valentine's Day party with a bigger group of friends. Which, if orchestrated properly, could turn into Exactly what you were hoping for! 

So right now, if your only Valentine's Day plans are with Russell Stover, perhaps consider throwing a "Valentine's Day Bash" with friends! Grab a romantic comedy to throw on in the background, start constructing your Chocolate Fondue Fountain, and stop by the local drug store to pick up those Exclusive Valentine's Day Games and party favors. And, now that it's a "group date," there's no stress or risk in throwing an extra invite in the direction of that special someone.

TIPS and WARNINGS: Do Give out stupid valentines & Those disgusting chalky candy hearts. Avoid taking any online-dating-match out on a first date just so you don't have to spend the holiday alone. Cupid making you cringe cause you're flying solo? Don't take yourself to the movies, that's pathetic! Sleep on the “other” side of the bed if you must, but no flirting with ex boy/girlfriends it's only one day!

Don't ever buy plastic roses... They'll never die, but your love likely will.

A Man should Never get lingerie for their woman EVER! Shhhhhhhh.... I know you disagree, but you're wrong about this. Keep Reading!!....

Oh, and if you're a girl who suddenly gets a valentine from an acquaintance, don't do something brash to make him feel bad about bearing his soul. Instead, the best thing you can do is tell him how flattered you are and thank him and leave it at that! 

Make no mistake… Boys are so easily crushed too... That child still, that grew in their mother's kiss.

And men if you do get turned down by that bitch@%$# don't worry... She pays her dues at night, trust me. Never overlook the small moments of an open heart. It always feels good to have somebody in your head 

…AND sometimes it's better than reality! 

 

THINGS YOU'LL NEED: Crayons and construction paper baby! What else!?

And where did all the poetry go? Borrow a few verses from Shakespeare already and get with the program!  

If you ignore the day, they'll be pissed so just have fun with it! Under-promise, over-deliver. At this point, everything is cliche so don't waste your time trying be original and why bother?! There's nothing better than "The Ultimate Cliche!"