Archive for the ‘activism’ Category

The most anticipated movie of the year came out last weekend.  My man and I went to see it in 3D – of course.  Much ado has been made about the stunning visuals of Avatar.  New technology which I don’t understand is being touted.  And, yes, the images are outstanding!  The trailers haven’t even begun to show the intricacies of the Pandoran world created by James Cameron and his team.  The way the hair falls.  The neon lit evenings.  The night sky and horizon unlike anything we’d see on earth.  It is breathtaking.  This Avatar trailer focuses more on the visuals than the others I’ve seen but still falls far short of what you will experience in the theatre.

Critics and film makers all agree that the spectacle of Avatar is unparalleled.

What sometimes gets lost when a movie is steeped in spectacle is the story.  How many action or effects laden movies have you seen that you can’t even remember anything about the characters or story?  All you can say is “wow, what a ride!”  In retrospect, though, it leaves you rather empty.

Avatar, thankfully, is not in that category.  Yes, the spectacle will make your mouth drop.  You may start to get a bit of a belly ache from all the eye candy.  In the end, movies are about telling a story and Avatar certainly rises to that expectation.  It is, in essence, a fable.   A cautionary tale about humanity and our tendency to take what we want rather than to understand those we are taking from.  It’s very much a modern, futuristic retelling of the destruction of the North American natives.

There are some goofy terms, as to be expected in a fable.  The magic ore the powers that be want from the planet Pandora is called “Unobtainium”.   (Groan)  The Navi of Pandora speak and gesture very much like Natives have been stereotypically portrayed in movies for decades.

The story is generally predictable.  Science and military clash.  The one sent to infiltrate falls in love with the people (think Dances with Wolves in space).  The underdog wins over the bad guy in spectacular fashion.  However, even a predictable story is all about the telling and Avatar tells it beautifully.

The movie took me back to last week’s blog about the power of love vs. the love of power.  Our marine hero Jake  played by Sam Worthington, when given the opportunity to actually live with the people he has come to manipulate realizes how beautiful they are.  He comes to respect their way of life and becomes one of them.  In the end, he helps them defeat the seemingly undefeatable – going against gun ships with bows and arrows.

I was once again reminded how impotent force is in the long run.  The bullies will inevitably make headway in the short run.  Love and understanding will win in the long run.  Of course in the movies the love and understanding fights fire with fire so there is an incredible confrontation at the climax of the movie.  In real life, it takes longer and is much less dramatic to overcome the big powerful machine.  And yet, it’s still worth it.

Whether with flying and crawling creatures and all the clans coming together for a big fight or people going out to give out free hugs, offering food to a homeless man or comforting a child who’s crying – the fight is worth fighting.  The fight for love and understanding must be fought.

Are you part of the love army?

Be Beautiful, Be YOU and spread your love to all in your own unique way.

Hugs and Happy Holidays,

Christie

www.thebadkitty.com

A few posts ago we discussed the movie The Cove about dolphin slaughter in Japan.

In that post I mentioned that the DVD was coming out in December.  It is available now so if you’re looking for a last minute gift for a socially conscious friend or family member or someone who loves a great adventure story, be sure to pick up The Cove!

Please remember to give to those less fortunate this holiday season.  There are many charities struggling to reach their goals.  Share your blessings with others.  Even when we feel squeezed, there is always someone who is worse off.

You are blessed!  Enjoy your holidays.

Love and warm cookie scented hugs to you all!

Christie

www.thebadkitty.com

Today is World Kindness Day.  Having just had Remembrance Day (or Veteran’s Day for our US friends), it seems very appropriate to put the two together.  Remembrance Day is focused on giving our vets and Armed Forces the respect they so richly deserve for putting themselves in harm’s way.  Whether you believe in the current conflicts or not, it is still a job that requires great commitment and nerve which deserves the honor of those of us who stay home safe and sound.

In conjunction with remembering war and violence and those who keep us safe, World Kindness Day is about remembering that not everyone has it as good as we do.  It causes me to remember how fortunate I am to have so many great friends who would drop everything to help when I’m in need.  It causes me to remember how fortunate I am to have what I do – a house, a family, food and clean water.  It gives me a moment to pause and remember that even in our privileged country, not everyone has these simple things that most of us take for granted.

So today, do something for someone else.  Plug an about to expire parking metre.  Give to the Food Bank.  Give to a shelter.  Give the homeless guy your lunch.  Donate to a charity.  Gift someone who is down a smile and hug.  You’re creative people, use your imagination.  Just do SOMETHING!

And, why not do something every day.  It only takes a moment to make someone else’s day brighter.  It certainly doesn’t hurt that it will brighten yours as well.

You’re beautiful, spread it around!

www.thebadkitty.com

I meant to write a post last week about an event I went to but didn’t get around to it. Now I’m glad I didn’t as it makes a sharp contrast to something I experienced this past weekend.

The former was called “How to Find the Man of Your Dreams… And Marry Him in 6 Months”. I went as a sponsor to promote my business, as it is for women after all, not as a participant. I have no problem with the first part of the title, not so big on the second. But that’s another story….

There were at least 100 women in the room for this event. Some of what the presenter, a man, had to say was valid. Things like knowing and loving yourself, knowing what you want/need so you can narrow the field, being clear on what you want from the very start before you fall in “love”. All very important. What I wasn’t as taken with was the manipulation factor. The holding back, the being a “mystery”, no sex until marriage – it all felt very contrived. And, on top of that, why should I deny myself something I enjoy – that being sex – for the sake of getting a man? Not worth it in my book!

What got to me most was how everyone – well, most at least – were eating it up. Are we so desperate to find Mr.Right that we’ll listen to any yahoo that claims to be an expert? Is this the most important thing we have to think about? Please, tell me it ain’t so!

In contrast, I went to a documentary on Sunday called “FIERCE LIGHT – Where Spirit Meets Action”. There were 5 people in the audience, including myself. This is an incredible piece of work. From the creators:
Fueled by the belief that “another world is possible,” Fierce Light is a compelling, global journey into the world of spirit in action, an exploration of what Martin Luther King called “Love in Action,” and Gandhi called “Soul Force”; what Ripper is calling “Fierce Light.” (Ripper is the film maker)
Click here to see the trailer.

The film is about the marriage of activism and spirituality, whatever you believe either to be. It’s about our ability, willingness (or not), power and drive to change the world for the better. I was moved to tears and had to take time to discuss and decompress afterwards. I can honestly say that is a rare occurrence for me.

What struck me most was the fact that this powerful, potentially world altering piece of work was only attended by a tiny handful, whereas a dating workshop was overflowing. There is something very wrong with this picture. I am struggling to put into words exactly how I feel about it and why. What it boils down to is why, oh why are we so caught up in ourselves that we refuse, or simply are unable to, see the big picture.

I created my business to see a change in the world. I want to see women take on their lives with joy and power. We have so much potential for love and so much strength of will when we are motivated.

One of the people in the documentary is Julia Butterly Hill who sat in a redwood for 2 years to save it from being cut down. She stayed even as she saw the forest being cut down around her. She stayed after a friend was crushed by a falling tree. She stayed and she saved the tree, Luna.

What do you care about enough to create no matter the obstacle? What’s most important to you? Finding a man or making a difference? I hope you’re with me and choose the latter. We can cut a huge swath through this crazy world together!

You are so inspiring to me, my kitties. Go shine your light, live your dreams. Be beautiful, Be you. We are what the world needs!

Hugs and kisses.

www.thebadkitty.com