Youthful Life: X

Truth - The way things appears and the way things are can be drastically different and yet exactly the same. How something is viewed can make all the difference. Context is key. Without background, history, or relevant input we're left to piece things together. From one angle things may look alright but change your viewpoint and it's a completely novel story. We edit, cut, and paste together our lives and the world around us. Even what we play back and tell the world is only one version of the truth. Change your vantage point, change the world.   "When you really listen to another person from their point of view, and reflect back to them that understanding, it's like giving them emotional oxygen." Stephen Covey Do we ever fully get the whole story? I mean, do we ever get to know everything or the exact truth? The definitive answer is no. Every single time we tell a story, it's different. We hyperbolize, without details, and remember selectively. Every r...

Truth - Sometimes I seriously worry for my generation. Every generation certainly innovates in distinct ways but also not only inherits the problems of their predecessors but contributes/creates new ones as well. Mine seems to be known for our apparent willingness to recognize the humanity of others and push for progressive ideals (debatable but that's a challenge for another day). We're also known for having defiled all the sacred traditions of the courting process in favor of swipes, sliding, double taps, and emojis. Whatever happened to dinner and a movie? No, we Netflix and chill.    "The problem with binge-watching on Netflix is that you lose three days of your life" Harland Williams   You know you've made it in this world when your company name becomes a verb. Netflix - v. - to endlessly browse for a movie, show, or documentary to watch on a device, usually accompanied by some kind of junk food.  I.E. It was 3AM and he still decided it was a good...

Truth - Some of the most iconic scenes in television programs and films have been the ones that thrust you straight into the story. Without warning, preparation, or any context you're transported into the cosmos of the art piece you're viewing. It's truly amazing just how invested you can become in just one scene if it's done in an enticing way. Whether it be an intense action sequence complete with ass-kicking combat, intricately woven shots with feats of cinematography, or heartfelt moments that hit you right in the feels, cold openings are a powerful tool. If your life were a movie what would your cold opening be? " If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story" Orson Welles Cold openings are a technique used by directors to tease what is to come by showing a portion of what is to come before rolling the title sequence or opening credits. From dream sequences to flash forwards/rewinds, plot revolving points, and...

Truth - There's a big difference between who we are in public versus who we are private. The complicated part of that dichotomy is that we're always told be ourselves no matter where we are and we're with. The problem though with being yourself is that others may not care for who you are. The simple response would be to say who cares but in actuality we do care on some level. It's why we change who we are or at least how we show up in certain spaces. Why are sometimes understated and at others over the top? Why do we pretend we're okay when we're not and continue to smile when we're sad? Are we really different people when we're out in the open or just another version of ourselves behind closed doors? "People behave differently now matter what period we're looking out. People stand up straight in public, but can slouch behind closed doors." Brenda Blethyn To be quite honest , I really don't think we become other people when our se...

Truth - The Internet is at the exact same time both the best and the worst thing to happen to humanity. What a wonderful thing it is to be instantly connected to not only those that matter to you most but others all around the world with the touch of button, a few keystrokes, or a few swipes. Now many than ever it has become increasingly simpler to do truly marvelous things with the internet, the world wide web, and the technology surrounding them. With those advancements though have been the same problems, but also brand new ones darker than we ever could have imagined. All it takes to make or break people and their spirits these days is a quick type, text, and tap away. Anonymous we go.   "One of the most powerful lessons in life is to recognize that no one can give you power, and many people don’t want you to have it. You have to find the courage to seize it, own it and hold on" Shannon L. Alder Never read the comments. I've heard it over and over again, and yet...

Truth - The best things in life often go unplanned. The spontaneous moments that fall in between all the running around, scheduling, and meetings are what makes each day different from the next. It's the times where things just kind of happen and where memorable times are created organically that stand out most. Staging, producing, and making things can only get you so far, but there's something indescribable about things coming together naturally. You never know that some of the best shots come out of your b-roll.   "Life is what happens in the moments between your plans for life" Unknown Recently I've become consumed by a thoroughly intriguing show uncharacteristically found on Lifetime of all channels called "Unreal." The premise sounded melodramatic - basically a behind-the-scenes look at the set of a "Bachelor" franchise parody, but ended up being well worth the entire day I spent watching it. Anti-heroine characters with little to...