(#StreamTeam) (#movies) (#angst) (#giftofhope)
At the start of every month, I receive a prompt from Netflix suggesting a theme for my next post. These prompts are fun and full of suggestions, like “Celebrating Milestones” or “Creating your Own Destiny.”
The theme for March was “Reinventing Yourself,” and immediately I thought Lent.
First, some suggestions and then my thoughts. I haven’t watched all the movies that they recommended but I can give a big thumb’s up to some of them.
For your little kids, how about:
For your bigger kids, how about:
And for you:
I have watched (and love) all of the movies pictured in my graphic. Catching Fire, for example? I’ve watched it twice and (I’ll admit it) would watch it again. Personally, I’m crazy about all the Hunger Games movies; they are well done, thought-provoking, and feature the brilliant talent of Jennifer Lawrence. I could, quite frankly and possibly pathetically, be entertained watching Lawrence paint her nails. She is an amazing actress, and I could watch her and Bradley Cooper (another favorite) (#swoon) in Silver Linings Playbook again & again.
Note: Silver Linings Playbook has lots of language and can be crass. It also has real Catholic families struggling with mental illness and dysfunction, and for that reason (among others) I could totally relate.
On no less of a lighter note, October Baby is another family favorite. (Not for the littles, mind you, but for ages 12 and up.) Felicity and I watched it again last night and–as always–I cried throughout. It’s a feel-good movie that also takes on abortion. It has some heavy themes but then again, so does life.
Now then.
Why the title of my post?
I have cried more this Lent than I would have thought normal, even for me. These are not tears of depression or despair, however; rather, they come from my wanting more.
I want my life to be better than it is. I want my home and my family to be…better, yet I know (as always) this “being-better” stuff must start with me.
To that end, I’m thinking about taking more pictures.
(What do you think of my studio name? Be honest.)
Being (semi) professional means stepping outside my comfort zone, which is what I have to do when I take Senior portraits.
And yet, I’m always glad when all is said and done snapped.
In truth, there are a dozen ways I’d like to reinvent myself. How about that “health and wellness” category, Margaret? Well, Felicity and I are running a 5K in April: the Hot Chocolate Run in Minneapolis. This is a reinvention of the scariest kind because I am completely out of shape.
I’m just saying.
Freddy Mercury’s Fat-Bottomed Girls have nothing on me.
Um…that wasn’t very nice to say, was it?
Well, cue the tears that I mentioned above.
I’ve been crying this Lent because I’m starting to get it. I am nowhere near who I want to be and yet, in His eyes? I am perfect. Being thin…accomplished…acclaimed…winning the race of the day (and it changes daily)…
Let’s just say that sometimes I feel like a harried mama rat, scrabbling through a maze trying to get to the goal.
And the reason I call it a “semi-eternal” reinvention is that I know I won’t stop the self-improvement stuff come Easter. I will continue to hope and try to be better until I drop off the face of this earth and pierce the veil to…what? To the the only goal that really matters.
To Him.
To eternity.
To forever love.
Amen.
The priest in the confessional asked me what I thought God thought of me. I couldn't even begin to come up with a positive thought when he said to me "you are His beloved daughter." I broke down crying right there.
I needed to read this today. Thank you for your ever wonderful posts!
The thought of you crying in the confessional breaks my heart just a bit. So many mommas have been there!
Love you, Jenny. It's almost Easter. : )
Ooooh, read what Jenny said above and got chills. Beautiful.
I'm so with you for different reasons though. I always feel like a failure because I think if I were more organized especially with my time, I'd have time for everyone and all the things would get done and I'd be the mom I think I should be. I already know that God loves me and I actually feel close to him. I just think things would be better if I did them better. Did that even make sense?
Trying. That is the key word. Action. That's another key word. I mean, right? God loves us and as long as we are moving and trying (oops maybe "moving" is the other key word)
We should never get comfortable. Right?
Both Tom and I LOVED Silver Linings. I reviewed that one and I think a few people did not like it. I think it's because they have "normal" families. No mental illness…We totally got the movie. Not for everyone though, I guess. I'm glad you got it too. 🙂
We have Catching Fire book readers and movie watchers over here…obsessively. (not me, my kids)
Love you Mags.
It's such a fine line between the call to be perfect and the sin of pride. I struggle mightily, but fortunately I have many, MANY areas that keep me humble.
Love you too, Jamesters.
Great post! I marathon read all the 'Catching Fire' Books and have enjoyed the movies, too. My daughter didn't like the 'very' last ending and doesn't want to watch the movies!! I am sooo looking forward to Easter and the end of Lent. It isn't that it's been particularly hard, it's just been so busy and I've tried to keep Holy Week and Easter Week free so we can really participate as a family. We'll see how that goes!
I believe that having no plans (a just a few) is the best plan. Make way for grace, I say!
PS. Are you coming to the conference this year?
Will check out the films you have listed. I'm not a fan of The Hunger Games movies, because I liked the books — you know how that goes. This week I watched "You're Not You" and "Now is Good" both "grown-up" movies, but both so good. I think I am attracted to these films that help me realize so many people have it so much worse. I don't know what that says about me right now, but there you go. "You're Not You" had some especially raw scenes but it was an incredible story.
I would not have thought you liked the books, Barbara, but if you like the books I think you'll love the movies.
Looking forward to checking out your recommendations!
And for the kids — yesterday evening I watched Believe while I hand sewed lace on a dress (gotta do something fun!) and it was good, especially for soccer buffs!
Word of warning on the movies mentioned above — when I say "raw" I really mean raw. Character development I guess the screenwriters would say, but I say gratuitous and unnecessary.
PS great pics and I like the name, but no period. Margaret B Photography
Does that violate your English teacher rules?
I like Maggie B, like one of our favorite picture books of all time.
I kind of do too, Tracy! Barbara, what do you think?
I like Maggie B, too. So much so that before I mentioned it I googled it and found a Maggie B Photography.
You're thorough! I found a couple different studios with that name, actually. Does it matter?
I guess that'd be a question for my husband.
Indeed!
I'm loving Maggie B..
B Maggs…
Maggs Photography
Can't wait to hear what you come up with!
Come photo my kiddos before you get too famous!
Oh, and what if we collaborate? You shoot the seniors and I'll do the newborns. Or we can team up and hold a light reflector for each other ; )
In all seriousness, Tracy, I would love to partner up sometime.
MagTrac Photography!