What's the Secret... Really ... About ReInvention?

Hi Everyone,
On this beautiful Saturday in NYC, I took myself to a movie I've wanted to see. Movies are my therapy ... I go usually once a week or so. Today I chose the new Pixar animated movie... UP... in 3D.

First, 3D is a flashback to our youth. It seems it was on hiatus for a long time and is experiencing a resurgence. What fun.

So, UP is about an old man, who loses his wife, and takes on an adventure to fulfill on a dream they had together, but never accomplished. He attaches hundreds of balloons to his house, which pulls the house into the air .. and he sets of for a distant country to "restart" his life. Soon after takeoff, he finds that he has an "accidental stowaway"... a young boy. Together, they bond and the trip is awesome.

I love animated movies and usually find them much more for adults than kids. This is so in this case as well.

So, what does it have to do with ReInvention?
Here are some things that occur within the movie ... I was in tears, with the recognition of the process. Then, I'll tell you "the SECRET."
1. We are so locked into our past and our habits.. that we live inside of "always do things the same old way"
2. It often takes a threat from the outside (or a diagnosis, or someone leaving) to push us into something new.
3. We can't move forward with the weight of what we currently have ... we have to unload, clean out all the old stuff
4. There's a lot of uncertainty in starting over or reinventing ... you have to be willing to NOT know what's going to happen next or where you'll end up.
5. Your energy increases when you're headed in the "right" new direction.. it's almost like it reverses the aging process.

And, here's the kicker ... You have to be willing to LET GO! There's a scene in the movie where he tosses out all the contents of his house so it isn't weighed down and thus can fly and move forward. It's the letting go of the old, the unwanted, the un-needed.... then, there's room for what's new and different.

I implore you to see this movie. You'll see all the metaphors. Take your grandkids .. or just your friends, or yourself ... and experience what I'm talking about.
I couldn't have come up with a better metaphor. It had me reliving my life over the last few years ... and being proud of all I've accomplished.

Have a wonderful Sunday .. maybe even go to the movies.
Enjoy!
ann