Cinema as a Guardrail

Contour Lines 030

Good Morning leaders, readers, and casual observers! If you don’t like scary movies, don’t watch the trailer below!

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I’m feeling strangely calm and determined this Monday considering how last week turned out (I ended up not working for a few days to deal with some family matters), and not for the reasons one might expect (at least not past versions of myself).

I have a busy week ahead - my energy is going to be pulled in multiple directions, and I’m not certain how much I accomplish compared to what I hope to.

So why the calm determination?

I unplugged yesterday evening, dropped my kid off at their grandparent’s, and went to see a movie with my wife.

We watched Weapons by Zach Cregger.

Now, I won’t spoil the film by telling you what happens, or what lessons you get from it.

But I will tell you how it made me feel.

The themes, settings, and situations experienced by many of the characters felt familiar.

At different time I was nauseous, angry, sympathetic, amused, and yes, scared.

But it was the familiarity combined with the applicability of the concepts explored to arenas outside of the films setting that has me calm and determined this morning.

Determined to continue growing as a person, let alone a father, partner, or man.

Determined that my perspective on authenticity and connection is absolutely the way forward for regenerative cultures, leadership, and community.

Determined to take a slower, intentional approach to my week rather than a rabbit’s pace; to conduct an ongoing authenticity and values audit rather than just checking in with myself once a week and making justifications for why I may or may not have acted out of alignment with myself.

And so the first step to this week, was not putting sugar in my coffee.

I’d highly encourage you to go watch the film if you haven’t already, but fair warning, it deals with some heavy shit.

Until next time,

Chris