It’s no secret I love films.
Any film that makes me think, feel deeply or reflect makes my list of forever favourites.

Here are the top five and why they make the cut.

About Time

This film has a one-two punch. First, you think you are watching a rom-com, to which you are. Next, you think you are watching some fantastical reality, to which you are, and last, you think you are watching an essay on how to stay mindful and appreciative in your life, to which you absolutely also are. It has perfectly delivered a reminder, laugh and warmth that we all need.

Stories We Tell

Albeit a documentary, this film gutted me and reshaped my reasons for why I write and why I seek to share stories. For me, it’s never been about hitting the zeitgeist or getting noticed, and it’s about trying to reach that compulsion to understand something in a more profound and more meaningful way. Sarah Polly is a beacon in storytelling work for this, and here is a perfect example of how telling stories has value on the inner and outward self.

Inside Out

This animation film shakes the ground on humanity. Pixar killed it and left me processing this for years, and I am still processing it. As I raise my own child, I have moments where scenes come back to me, reminding me when things are tender, unique or raw.

Now & Then

This film brings me back to one of the safest spaces I have ever been. Curled up with my cousin, watching this. It speaks to that age we were, the storm of confusion we were about to experience and what brings me back to this is the idea that we were intertwined then and found our way to be just as intertwined now. Every time I revisit it, it is nostalgic, bitter-sweet, and beautiful things to me.

Before Sunrise

I am late to this trilogy, but it has been another example of pure excellence in storytelling and writing. Many people in film stick their noses up at pages of dialogue. Still, Richard Linklater pushes the envelope open on real people in this project, and each of the three films tells us so much about real people, genuine relationships and real life.

I adore lists.

I love making them. Reading them. Sorting them. Categorizing them.
I love the feeling one gets when one checkmark or crosses off an item.
I love the whole darn process of it all.

As if overnight, our resident six-year-old caught the bug.
Inspired by a frog & toad story about making lists.

It made me laugh since my first memory of list-making also came during grade one.

I remember it clearly.
Putting on my snow gear at the end of the day, waiting for the bell to ring. A girl in class was talking about how every day after school, she had many things she had to do and attend.
Ballet classes, Gaelic language classes, tap dance …you name it.
Something about how much that filled her time and days made me realize what I was looking for.

Variety. Organization. Fun.

I can see how our little is getting a kick out of coming up with her own expectations of herself and others and finding a way to incorporate it into her own ‘method of madness’.
I can also recognize this is a tool to find peace in the chaos of life.

A reminder for all we list lovers:

The lists don’t have to be 100% completed to be productive, successful and fun individuals.
They are tools
They are ideas
They are tasks
They are ways to remember things.
They can change.
Items can move around in importance.
And
They can be scrapped entirely.

If you are anything like me and find peace and joy in the list-making
Find a way to pass yourself grace when life is wild.
Wipe the slate clean off and on and see what items don’t make it onto the new lists.

Keep it light.
Keep it fun.
And most of all
Keep them for yourself.

Spring has kept me on my toes and amidst the weeks that have flown by I have found these items have brought joy into my life.  
Clockwise from Middle.

1. Darling Magazine Issue #19. - A gift from best friend Jasmine Alexander.  She knows how much I adore creatively driven work and this magazine does creative women to a whole new level.  

2. WE : A Manifesto for Women Everywhere by Gillian Anderson and Jennifer Nadel -  I purchased this book to read over the Spring months.  It is a beautiful ode to what the elements of living an intentional whole life would look like for any person.  It also specifies  what it means to also carry womanhood along with these values and is a perfect way to drive home how important values of 'honesty, kindness, grace etc' in life and with each other as women.  I will re-read this when I need a boost.

3. Succulent in Mini Planter  - The planter painted by my Best Friend Nicole Payzant and daughter Zoë for my birthday.  It was such a touching item to receive and filled me with joy to know that they both enjoy time together doing various activities.  The succulent is a perfect addition to my spring decor. 

4. White Life Factory Water Bottle - I had a light blue bottle that broke when I dropped it without the lid attached.  They have since come out with many designs and sizes, but I realized that white is just fine for me.  I adore this brand, due to the glass (I don't like metal made bottles that leave an aftertaste of the metal) , and shape.

5. Sephora Face Sheet Masks - A gift from my husband and daughter on Mothers Day.   These masks are fun and good to have around when I feel my skin needs a bit of self care.

6. Essie Nail Polish  - A new shade for every season is a fun thing to look forward to.

7. Fiction by L.A. Eyeworks Eye Glasses - As a first time eye glass wearer I didn't know what to think, but not that I have these I realize how blurred my vision had become for long distance and TV screens.  I love how this pair makes me feel more of myself.  I don't feel different.  Just more of me. 

8.  LA LA LAND Film - Growing up I loved collecting movies.  It's hard in a culture where media is becoming more and more stored electronically to collect copies.  I made the decision as I embraced a more minimalist/intentional life that I would commit to buying and collecting musicals.  Musicals are not only a childhood enjoyment for me, but my favourite art form.  Having a copy of a musical fills me with joy.  

Being accepted into the New Waves Program gave the opportunity to attend the Women Making Waves Conference.  Utterly inspiring.

This week I'll be joining eight other women in a five class workshop series through 'Women in Film and Television Atlantic' over the next five weeks.  I feel more than honoured to be chosen for this program and I am inspired to be standing alongside other women in the performing arts industry.

It's humbling to be in a position of learning. In any program here are five things to remember:

1) You Earned It.

It is easy to fall into doubt and comparison when in a position of growth.  It's important to remember that when you have gotten an opportunity to be involved with anything, there was something you did to get you there.  You earned it.  I'll be remembering that I have a seat at this table.  I deserve to sit with these women and learn about writing, directing and editing for film and television and my résumé proves that. 

2) Create space.  

When in a position of learning, learn.  Be open to letting it all in and  sift through it later.  Truthfully, I am not sure how these new skills / knowledge will influence my work.  I know that I want them and I know that this could just be the tip of the iceberg for me. What is important is to create space in your spirit and mind to take it all in.  This is your opportunity to learn something. 

3) See the Beauty.  

Learning is a process and it can be scary, but it can also be incredibly amazing.  I remember being a student in an eight month theatre program and being in complete awe of the atmosphere I was in, let alone the teaching I was being given.  Tall windows looked over the one of citys' main streets and mirrors lined one wall.  Eleven other people sat in various forms of stretching as we warmed up our bodies for a class in acting.  It was beautiful to me,  The whole thing.  Be aware that this process is beautiful. 

4) Be Present.  

Where do I go from here?  That is the hovering question.  You need to let it rest and percolate.  Applying what one learns will happen in it's time.  What is important is to be present in the learning and present in the being.  A watched pot never boils. 

5) Document

As soon as one can, document what you have expierenced/learned/walked away feeling thinking. Capturing these thoughts and processes in the moment is priceless.  To be able to look back even at a month and realize growth, awareness and clarity of questions.  It is an integral part of any process.  Documenting can be stream of consiousness, via a journal, scraps of paper in the written word.  It can be a video diary, a Blog, a Vlog.  Sketches, photos captured, any form of documentation will be incredibly valuable of this time. 

Lastly

Take yourself seriously and don't take yourself seriously.

Which means,

Honour your value and humble your ego.