Life Lessons 6 Empowering Movies & Shows Every Woman Should Watch 4:36 PM Want to celebrate International Women's Day? Or maybe you just need the inspiration to help you through a tough day. Then you should check these six empowering movies and shows every woman should watch to feel inspired and get her groove back.Hidden Figures (2016)Erin Brockovich (2000)Mulan (1998)Miss Scarlet & the Duke (2020)The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017)Funny Woman (2023)Hidden Figures (2016)Hidden Figures tells the story of a team of female African American mathematicians who played a vital role in the early years of the NASA United States space program. Each faced challenges in their department, dealt with condescending superiors and coworkers, worked hard to break the system and change the rules, and proved how they were better than society's perception.It's hard enough to be a woman in a male-dominated environment in the 60s, much more for women of color. But these empowering women didn't surrender, so their names went down in history.Lessons I learned from Hidden Figures Persistence pays.The team is as good as their mentor.If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door. Don't settle for a dead end when you can make a detour.Advocate for and support other women.Believe in your abilities even when others don't.Erin Brockovich (2000)Based on the true story of a single mother who becomes a legal assistant and helps to win a landmark case against a major corporation, this film inspires every woman struggling. You may call it the desperation of a single mom who wants to feed her kids that got Erin Brocovich's foot inside the door. But her wit, heart to help the victims, and grit made her the millionaire she is today. Lessons I learned from Erin BrockovichBe unapologetically you.Follow your instincts.Use what you have because what you have is enough.The goodness you give will come back to you a hundredfold.Behind every woman's success is herself - and an understanding partner.Look at everything as an opportunity; to network, learn, and move forward.Let the people in your life know how much they mean to you before it's too late.Mulan (1998) This animated film tells the story of a young woman who disguises herself as a man to take her father's place in the army and save China from invaders. Following tradition and family rules is difficult when your heart tells you otherwise. Mulan was only 16 when she left to join the army. You can only imagine her fear, knowing what lies ahead. She could get persecuted by her own people if they found out who - or what - she was and could die in the battle. But that did not deter her from protecting her father and her family.Lessons I learned from MulanWork smarter, not harder.Do it afraid.It's okay even if you don't feel like you belong. You are meant to create your own path.Faith it til you make it.Don't let your gender, age, or present situation define your destiny.Miss Scarlet and the Duke (2020)This series is about Eliza Scarlet, a female detective who wants to keep her father's legacy alive and follow her passion for solving crimes at a time when women who spoke up or had their own careers were still taboo. But, because of her limited resources and polite society's rules, she has to work double, resort to unconventional and sometimes unlawful methods, and seek her childhood friend Detective William Wellington's help to keep her business afloat and help victims find justice. You'll love Eliza's mischief and wit, her love-hate banter with William, the thrill of her next case and career move, or where their complex friendship will lead them.Lessons I learned from Miss Scarlet and the DukeHave gumption even in the face of those who don't believe in you.Don't sacrifice your happiness and passion for following society's standards.Things will not always go as planned...so always have a Plan B.Be humble enough to ask for help.It pays to be observant and patient.If the door closes, climb through the window. (Literally is the case for Eliza in the show)The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017)Miriam "Midge" Maisel was accidentally discovered in a comedy bar after her husband left her. A female standup comic was unheard of in the 50s. But she gets sexist comments and unfair treatment because she's not only pretty but also funnier and wittier than the men in the industry. But, of course, that doesn't stop Midge from being the marvelous force that she is.Lessons I learned from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Don't dim your light for others to shine.Embrace who you are and use your strength to your advantage.Don't run after someone who doesn't see your value.Keep the people who believe in you.Know when to prioritize yourself.Be open to change.Break the mold, even when your own family doesn't support you.Funny Woman (2023)Another series about a woman breaking the mold, Funny Woman, is based on Nick Horby's Funny Girl book It is about Barbara Parker, a girl from Blackpool who's got her future lined up for her, a beauty queen working in her father's factory, and a fiance who adores her. But that's not what she wants. Instead, she wants to build a career doing comedy. Fighting sexism and finding her own voice, Funny Woman is a delight to watch. Lessons I learned from Funny WomanDon't settle for the good life when you can have a great one.Don't let rejection discourage you from moving forward.Be tenacious with your dreams.What empowering movies and shows about remarkable women who dare make a difference do you watch to inspire you? This post contains affiliate links, so we'd get a commission if you purchase through the links at no additional cost to you.Want to earn a commission by promoting books online? Be my sub-affiliate on Blackwell's.
Listicle 9 Things To Look Forward To In Entertainment This 2022 10:59 AM What are the things you're looking forward to in entertainment this 2022?Can't imagine what our lives would be like if in the middle of this p a n d e m i c, Hollywood isn't here to entertain us. God bless Netflix, Spotify, Hulu, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, and all other streaming sites. I'm forever thankful for the entertainment industry!What have you been binge-watching or listening to lately? I have a few. Most of them I've already finished (in one sitting!). So I'm really looking forward to more of these shows, albums, and movies this year.This post contains affiliate links, so we'd get a commission if you purchase through the links at no additional cost to you.9 Things to Look Forward to in Entertainment This 2022 1. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 4Set in the late 1950s, this series follows the story of Miriam "Midge" Maisel. She is a doting and supportive wife, mother, stubborn but loving daughter, and a woman who's trying to break the mold of women during her time.Why I love it:I love Midge's quick wit, sense of humor, and resilience.I love how she's naturally funny and doesn't let men, her family, the industry, or societal stereotyping scare her from pursuing her passion. I love how she stands up for herself, even if that means ruffling many feathers.And Tony Shalhoub! From Mr. Monk to Midge's dad, his comedic timing is notable.The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is another Amy Sherman-Palladino masterpiece that's impossible not to love.The 4th season will be released on February 18, 2022, on Amazon Prime. Get 30 days FREE trial on Amazon.2. The Great Season 3This dramedy satire is about Catherine the Great's journey from an outsider to the longest-ruling female monarch in Russia.It changed my view about period dramas. Why I love it:Another series that's about a woman's rise to power and strength of character. I love her eagerness to change the rotten system and push for basic rights like proper education despite everyone looking at her like she's a big joke.She pushes on even when she feels like she doesn't belong and with almost everyone betraying her.Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult are both amazing in their roles.I love how they both slowly realized that they love each other.There's no release date yet for season 3, but Elle Fanning posted a teaser video on her Instagram.I'm looking forward to seeing more of Peter's (Nicholas) character development.Huzzah!3. Bridgerton Season 2The Bridgerton series is based on a collection of eight novels written by Julia Quinn. It's about the eight siblings of the powerful Bridgerton family finding their way in life and finding love.Why I love it:Am I the only one who wished Daphne Bridgerton ended up with the prince instead of the duke?I get it, though. A good girl meets bad boy love story really sells.And in the end, I love how the duke realized that his love for Daphne was more important than the grudge he was holding.I love the colorful dresses too---except those of the Featherington's. My favorite is Eloise Bridgerton. She couldn't care less about being social and her debut. Another lady doesn't want to conform to society and be herself.The mystery behind Lady Whistledown's true identity adds to the excitement of the show. I'm usually able to guess, but I didn't see this one coming.Bridgerton Season 2 will premiere on 25 March 2022 on Netflix.4. Only Murders in the Building Season 2OMITB is a mystery-comedy about three strangers living in an affluent Upper West Side apartment building.They bonded over their shared obsession with a true-crime podcast they got to use in solving their neighbor's murder.Why I love it:I love a mystery where just when you thought you knew who did it and how the story went, another plot twist will leave you clueless again.Steve Martin and Martin Short are Hollywood treasures. I love how they can effortlessly make you laugh. I love that you'd be surprised where the comedy would come in. You'd be so hooked on the story, and suddenly there's a line that will crack you up.Selena is lovable, as always.Season 2 of Only Murders in the Building could arrive as early as mid-2022.5. House of the DragonFinally, we'd get to see the story of the House Targaryen during the civil war that took place about 300 years before the Game of Thrones.I've not read the book, but because I like GOT series (except for the last 3 seasons, maybe), I am looking forward to learning more about Daenyres' ancestors and who among them was mad or was great. Or both?There's no release date yet, but House of the Dragon will likely premiere in the back half of 2022.6. The BatmanBatman faces one of his nemeses, The Riddler, and discovers corruption that connects to his own family.Why I love it:He may not be the most lovable DC superhero, but I like how, despite not having superpowers, Batman makes do with what he has- wealth and wit- to save his crime-riddled home city, Gotham.He is still fighting his own demons from his dark past, but he's there to defend and protect those who can't fight for themselves.I'm curious how Robert Pattinson's Batman would be different from the previous ones.The Batman is due in US cinemas on March 4, 2022.7. Shadow and Bone Season 2A young adult fantasy adventure novel adaptation by Leigh Bardugo, Shadow and Bone is about Alina Starkov. She didn't know that she possessed a powerful ability to destroy what their people had feared and changed her otherwise ordinary life since time immemorial.Why I love it:I love a good escape from reality, and Shadow and Bone offer that.From magical creatures to supernatural abilities, it can take you to places you've never imagined.I love the bond between Alina and Mal. I'm excited to know if neophytes like them could defeat someone as adept as the Darkling.It reminds me of the usual heroes who were forced to stand up against evil, like Harry Potter, Katniss Everdeen, and Tris Prior.Season 2 of Shadow and Bone will be released by the end of 2022 or early 2023.8. Taylor Swift's next album Fearless and Red Taylor's versions were on repeat on my phone when she released them in 2021. As always, TayTay's secretive when it comes to releasing her music, but she might be dropping her versions of Reputation or 1989 anytime this 2022.Reputation is my favorite album, so I'm really excited for her to remake it.Will there be another bomb in these albums like Mr. Perfectly Fine and All Too Well 10 minutes version? I don't know, but anything is possible with Taylor Swift's genius.9. Marvel movies and showsI wish that Marvel would never stop producing movies and shows---even with critics saying they're destroying the movie industry.We need a little bit of inspiration and hope, especially at this time, and I think superhero movies give us that.Moon Knight, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Thor: Love and Thunder, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, She-Hulk, and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special are on my list.Life may be hard because of this v i r u s, but I'm glad that we live in the superhero movies era. The inner child in me rejoices. All Gifs from GiphyI am eternally grateful to the entertainment industry. For keeping us sane and being a great company in these trying times. A silver lining indeed.What do you look forward to in entertainment this 2022?
Lux Thinking Aloud Favorite Comfort Movie: Julie & Julia 12:58 PM I just had my worst breakup and was still picking up the pieces of my shattered self-worth.I turned to blogging to distract myself. Who am I kidding? I wrote my bleeding heart out hoping my ex would read how I felt after he left. So he'd realize what a monster he was.After slaving myself away in a job that sucked the life out of me, I’d come home to a noisy, chaotic house I shared with other OFWs. I'd watch movies until I was too sleepy to think about anything. Until I was too numb to feel anything.Then I found Julie and Julia.Favorite Comfort Movie: Julie & JuliaJulie Powell was a frustrated writer stuck in a job she hated in a house she didn’t like. She lived in a city where dreams were made of but she felt as though her life was a nightmare.Her only escape from reality was cooking. She loves American cook Julia Child so much. She’s her heroine. After her husband suggested she blog about her cooking, her life turned around. The recipes on her blog were from Julia’s cookbook.BloglovinIn a different time, Julia's life in Paris began. She was traveling with her husband who works for the US government. They lived in a gorgeous big house in the City of Light. She's learning the culture, enjoying the savory food and exploring things, trying to find her passion.Primo GifThe movie was about their lives intertwined; their struggles in searching for their purpose, finally finding what they’re good at, the obstacles in pursuing what they love and the imperfections of their personal lives.Aside from these amazing women's journey, I love the gentle forces behind them---their partners. I adore their husbands. Hurting as I was back then, I didn’t swear off love. And every time they show how supportive, loving and encouraging Julie and Julia’s husbands were, I find myself whispering a prayer, “Lord, I want a husband like that.”Julie and Julia became my comfort movie.It gave me hope that someday, I’ll get out of the job I was stuck in. I will find what I truly love to do and earn while doing it.GiphyJulia wrote award winning cookbooks and became a TV personality despite having zero knowledge in cooking at first. Julie’s blog became a hit that her story was turned into a book and a movie.Julie’s story is every blogger’s dream. It was my dream. Maybe not in the same scale. But the thought of getting something out of what I spend most of my time on sounds appealing to me.Fast forward to today, there are brands and clients who trust me to feature them on my blog (THANK YOU!). I get paid for writing and by God's grace, I've found my dream husband. But I'm still a frustrated cook. 😂Julie and Julia’s husbands possessed the traits I was looking for in my ideal life partner. TumblrI saw this movie at a time I NEEDED to know people like them exist. Real people. Not fictional. It was refreshing to see that there are real men who are sweet and supportive but also strong and reliable.If it wasn't for their husbands' encouragement, push and humor, they may not have soared as high as they did. Sometimes, it only takes one person to believe in your dreams and push you to become the best that you could be.GiphyLet me borrow Julie’s words describing Julia as I explain why I love this movie so much:“It saved me. I was drowning and it pulled me out of the ocean.”What's your favorite or comfort movie?Contains affiliate links.
Life Lessons 10 Life Lessons From Maleficent Movie 10:02 AM Have you ever wondered why villains are the way they are? Only when I got older did I realize people aren’t born evil. Something pushed them. Someone hurt them. Hurt people hurt people. And that has been made clearer with my favorite Disney villain’s story. So here are the ten life lessons from the Maleficent movie and the realizations I learned. 10 Life Lessons Learned from Maleficent Movie1. Forgiveness sets you free.When we close the chapter that has long been over, a new story starts to unravel. Don’t wait for the person who hurt you to apologize before you forgive them. By then, it may be too late. Decide to forgive now for your peace of mind.Forgive yourself for allowing that person to walk through your mind with their dirty feet.Stop hanging on to the past because it’s already done.Stop beating yourself up for what happened in the previous chapter of your life when the part of that story is already over.Choose to forgive and set yourself free.2. We choose the life we want.There’s evil in this world, but it has no power over you unless you allow it to. Every day, you make a choice. Mocha or latte.Save or spend.Choose food that heals or food that harms.Spread kindness or hatred.Respond or react.Find a way or find an excuse.Smile or frown.Love or indifference.It’s up to you.What are you choosing today? It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. - JK Rowling3. What goes around comes around.Kindness begets kindness. Hate begets hate. No matter how hard you try to be kind to everyone, sometimes, someone will repay it with hostility.It may be tempting to give your haters a taste of their own medicine, but that will not heal your wound.The best revenge is success. Nothing kills your enemy more than seeing you happy and prosperous. Sit back. Relax. And let karma do her job.4. Master yourself. It’s normal to be angry when you’re hurt. It is a healthy response.It’s never okay to live with the pain and let your anger control you.Tame that angry beast inside you. Or else...You will drive the people around you away.You will have sleepless nights.You will get sick.Anger steals joy and peace.It will make you miserable. You could end up like the people who hurt you.Allow yourself to be angry. Embrace the pain. And then, let it go. (I’ve learned this one from Tuesdays with Morrie).5. Create your own happiness.Don’t make another person your source of happiness. Make your own sunshine.Choose to be happy. Stop holding on to what causes you misery or stress.Life becomes easier if you free yourself from the tt that are weighing you down. You open yourself up to better options and opportunities.6. Greed destroys. Negative and toxic feelings will eventually swallow you if you allow them.Greed will destroy you. King Stefan, in the movie, wanted more. His insatiable hunger for worldly things destroyed his family and drove him to madness. It eventually led to his death.7. Hurting people hurt people. Misery loves company. People who are wounded tend to wound others. They are screaming for help and desperate for healing but don’t know what to do. They feel empty. Their words are like knives.They are challenging to be around. They will drain your energy.You will never speak to talk more than yourself in your head. Be kind to yourself.8. Know the story behind the story. I used to think that Maleficent was born evil. Who would curse a baby?I never asked why she did what she did. What drove her to become this evil?I’ve realized that, as adults, we understand the villain more. Heck, sometimes we can even relate to them.When you meet a toxic person, do you judge them immediately to them, or do you through them right away?9. Teamwork is essential.We all need a reliable backup to accomplish our goals. A team of people to cheer us on or simply support us.We need friends who believe in us and see our potential---even when we doubt ourselves. We need friends who will point out the wrong in us. But will never walk away.Who is on your team?10. The power of wordsWords can build and destroy life. Be careful with what you say. Once spoken, you can’t take them back.How powerful are words? Dr. Masaru Emoto’s experiment showed that words can affect and change the molecular structure of water.And that’s only water. Imagine the effect of words on a person.Bonus lesson: never mess with a woman with red lipstick. 🤣 Realizations about Maleficent: Whpotenteficent?Maleficent is the most powerful fairy who lives in the Moors, a magical forest realm bordering a human kingdom. She fell in love with her first and only human friend Stefan. Stefan’s ambition and desire for power drove him to betray Maleficent, leaving her heartbroken and hateful. 1. Maleficent represents every one of us. Maleficent was born good. She believed in the goodness of men before she was betrayed. She did not hurt anyone. The concept of betrayal was foreign to her. This left her lost and wrathful. She wallowed in her pain and hatred. She shut the world out and became vindictive. I’ve read stories like this. About villains who used to be good. Until something awful happened to them. For Maleficent, it was losing faith both in love and in humanity. It was the betrayal that pushed her to be vengeful and curse the life of her perpetrator. Hurting people tend to do outrageous and illogical things. 2. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Maleficent had a choice like all f us. She lets her emotions control her or master her feelings and control her. It’s not easy to stay calm when you’ve given yourself only to be taken advantage of. 3. Life has a twisted sense of humor. What she despised and was obsessed with turned out to be why she changed. This is another proof that behind every burden is a blessing. In every trial, there lies a treasure. Final WordsI love knowing the other side of the story. The movie Maleficent is a perfect 5 for me. Have you seen Maleficent? What life lessons have you learned from it? Image and Gifs from GiphyThis post contains affiliate links. Meaning I get a commission if you purchase through my links at no additional cost to you. This helps me maintain my site. Thank you for your support!
Books Villains Are Lost Heroes 9:05 PM Where there is anger, there is always pain underneath. -Eckhart Tolle Villains are lost heroes. At least most of them are. Read the life stories of famous villains and you will realize that they’re just normal (or supernatural) beings who went through something that changed the course of their lives. Sometimes it’s a traumatic and devastating event. Sometimes it’s loss and heartbreak. It could be betrayal. It could be too much pushing around and getting tired of being misunderstood. Here’s a look at some lost heroes we know: Loki (Thor) He's always wanted to make his father proud. He wanted to be a king, but his father wanted his brother Thor to take over his throne. He finds this hard to accept because he believes he's more capable and worthy (or been wanting to be good but no one but his mother notices or appreciates). Electro (Spiderman) He was a hardworking dude whose effort was unappreciated. He just wanted to be noticed, to feel relevant, and to have friends. His inferiority complex made him assume that Spiderman betrayed him. He's a good guy who was unfortunately electrocuted on his birthday (that caused him to have superpowers) and who's emotions got the better of him. Medusa (Greek Mythology) She was a beautiful maiden with golden hair. There are different versions of how she turned into the monster that she's known. In one version, she was raped and punished by gods. In another version, she vowed celibacy but was wooed by Poseidon, and so was punished by Athena. No matter, I think it's unfair that she was stripped of her natural beauty and punished in such a way. Magneto (X-men) At a very young age, he was exploited due to his special gift. His mom was murdered in front of him just so he would unleash his powers. He wanted justice. He wanted to free the world from what he believed are the real antagonists of the story---normal human beings who are evil. He wanted to protect his fellow mutants. Plus of course, someone who's been broken that early and that bad will have a hard time forgiving and living "normally". Voldemort (Harry Potter) He's known as the most powerful wizard in the world of Harry Potter. Tom Marvolo Riddle's hunger for power and hatred for Muggles mainly root from his being abandoned by his Muggle father. He wanted to prove his place in the magical world. Plus of course, he's a direct descendant of Slytherin who's known for his thirst for power. He was also conceived with his mom using the love potion to his father. No real love there. You have to read the Half Blood Prince to really understand where all his wrath is coming from. Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty) She was betrayed by the man she loved, and she lost her faith in love and in humanity. She was a good fairy who was deeply hurt. (More on: Life Lessons From Maleficent) Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear (Toy Story) He was unintentionally left in the park by his owner. After all his effort of going back home, he discovered that he was replaced. Again, the feeling of abandonment, rejection and betrayal turned another good character into a cold-hearted villain. Severus Snape (Harry Potter) He was hopelessly in love with Lily Evans. He became a favorite target of bullying of the Marauders and eventually became rivals with James Potter for Lily. The man he loathed ended up with the woman he deeply loved until his last breath. Poison Ivy (Batman) An environmentalist and botany enthusiast, Dr. Lillian Rose was poisoned by Marc LeGrande for fear that she will implicate him on his theft. Obviously, the poison did not kill her, but unleashed the crazy side of this timid girl. The Duke of Monroth (Moulin Rouge) He was an eager investor in the show Spectacular Spectacular, who fell in love and eventually became obsessed with the star, Satine. When he found out Satine was in love with someone else, he threatened not only to withdraw his investment, but also tried to kill Satine's lover, Christian. Love makes you do crazy things. For these villains, they could be doing the world a favor by being the evil that they are. Or they may just be crying for justice. A villain is a hero in his own story. We'll never know and appreciate good without evil. Hate them or love them. The world will be boring without villains. Gifs from Google images. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
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