Finding your inspiration

When was the last time you watched a movie for the second or maybe third time and found an entirely new meaning to it? When was the last time that happened and your eyes were opened and your mood was altered?

For me that happened Monday night. I caught the Zach Braff and Natalie Portmann flick Garden State. Not often would I be heard saying that a movie was simply beautiful. The overall tone from a casual watcher would probably be seen as downright sad. However, underneath that cloak of sadness lies hope.

"Good luck exploring the infinite abyss"

That line is uttered during the film's final minutes by Braff as a farewell to a man he had briefly met by way of Peter Sarsgaard's character. The seemingly odd character bids Braff's character farewell with the same line and it marks a turning point where the tone changes from a film about pointlessness and wandering through life without purpose to having direction. In an instant, the life and direction of Braff's character changed. He faced his past, embraced the present and faced his future without fear.

In seeing that movie and truly seeing it for what it is, I had a revelation of sorts. My mood changed from morose and downtrodden to mildly upbeat and somewhat optimistic. I feel inspired again to work on my photography and tackle my design work head on. Even living in the shadows of a world that many view as crumbling around us I now think "can it really get any worse?" I see hope and feel inspired.

So there it is. A little indie flick from days gone by inspired me. What things have inspired you? What is your current mood? Are you floating on a cloud or ready to kick a kitten through a box fan?

If you need any additional inspiration to kick-start your own self-improvement, visit MinnPics for amazing photographs taken throughout the great state of Minnesota.