I have been meditating daily on this awesome app called Headspace. It's free, user friendly and above all else, it is intensely enjoyable. Yes, that's right, it is enjoyable and I'm not kidding! Sitting crossed legged and zoning out for a few minutes every day has actually been really lovely; and unlike positive visualisation (which you all know I love, but is essentially meditation with a purpose) the variety of meditation on Headspace encourages you to 'zone out' rather than 'check in.' It's kind of like a daily mind rinse that clears out all of the bugs and glitches in your head; and it only takes five minutes a day if that is all that you can spare.
Seth and I are officially addicted to it. Headspace has become a part of our daily ritual and we have found the act of meditation very calming and exceptionally useful. I personally have been using the zen practises of Headspace a lot this week, as I have now moved onto the second (and most terrifying) stage of my job interview process. Turns out that last week's engagement was merely stage one, which thankfully I passed, next Wednesday is stage two. We are officially down to me and one other candidate for the position. This information is both terrific and also intensely nerve wracking, as I am now a mixture of joyful hope and paralysing and crippling anticipation all at once.
As it gets closer to the pointy end it is both exciting and utterly nauseating, and clearly what my potential employer is looking for at this stage is to be dazzled. No pressure, just be dazzling on the day, easy right? Without a doubt, I am going to require some zen like meditation and preparation so that I don't rock up on the day resembling a plate of jelly.
Well meaning friends have offered support by saying things like, just be yourself and they'll love you. Ahh, yeah, well, there is a big difference between me in my comfort zone and me in a space that is well outside of my comfort zone; and that can be the difference between lovable and should we call you an ambulance? So, uhhh.....yeah, let's just keep on trucking with the Headspace app and the positive visualisations and let's just see how we go shall we?
For it is the fear of the unknown and unknowable that makes these moments so poignant, so challenging and so very gripping. All that you can do is attempt to put your best foot forward on the day and hope that it will be enough, and the rest is in the hands of the gods, and I will need to make my peace with that, however it plays out.
Seth and I are officially addicted to it. Headspace has become a part of our daily ritual and we have found the act of meditation very calming and exceptionally useful. I personally have been using the zen practises of Headspace a lot this week, as I have now moved onto the second (and most terrifying) stage of my job interview process. Turns out that last week's engagement was merely stage one, which thankfully I passed, next Wednesday is stage two. We are officially down to me and one other candidate for the position. This information is both terrific and also intensely nerve wracking, as I am now a mixture of joyful hope and paralysing and crippling anticipation all at once.
As it gets closer to the pointy end it is both exciting and utterly nauseating, and clearly what my potential employer is looking for at this stage is to be dazzled. No pressure, just be dazzling on the day, easy right? Without a doubt, I am going to require some zen like meditation and preparation so that I don't rock up on the day resembling a plate of jelly.
Well meaning friends have offered support by saying things like, just be yourself and they'll love you. Ahh, yeah, well, there is a big difference between me in my comfort zone and me in a space that is well outside of my comfort zone; and that can be the difference between lovable and should we call you an ambulance? So, uhhh.....yeah, let's just keep on trucking with the Headspace app and the positive visualisations and let's just see how we go shall we?
For it is the fear of the unknown and unknowable that makes these moments so poignant, so challenging and so very gripping. All that you can do is attempt to put your best foot forward on the day and hope that it will be enough, and the rest is in the hands of the gods, and I will need to make my peace with that, however it plays out.
DANCER IN THE DARK
Release Date: 2000
Rating: R 18+
Running Time: 140 mins
This film really had a profound effect on me, I recall feeling physically exhausted when it ended. Directed by Lars von Trier, this Danish musical drama stars Bjork as the lead actress; showcasing her incredible talent since she was also given the responsibility for the movie's amazing soundtrack. Dancer in the Dark is the third film in Von Trier's 'Golden Heart Trilogy' and was met with standing ovations when it aired at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival and was also awarded the Palme d'Or.
Innocent and hard working Czech immigrant Selma is going blind. She has a genetic disorder that she has passed along to her son Gene, and she is saving all of her money from her low paying jobs to get him the operation that he will need to save his sight. Selma escapes the harsh realities of her life by losing herself in music, however when a desperate neighbour takes advantage of her and falsely accuses her of stealing, things take a dramatic and terrible turn for the worse.
Lars von Trier has a real knack for destroying things that are beautiful that is both hypnotic and disturbing, and with the movie being set in 1960's Washington State, it does feel like another Trier stab at those 'awful' American's.
All of that aside, this is still great movie making. It is not an easy watch, it's depressing in every way. The characters are mostly cruel and the outcome is just plain shocking. It is tough going but worth the effort.
FINAL SAY: In a musical, nothing dreadful ever happens.
4 Chilli Peppers
Release Date: 2000
Rating: R 18+
Running Time: 140 mins
This film really had a profound effect on me, I recall feeling physically exhausted when it ended. Directed by Lars von Trier, this Danish musical drama stars Bjork as the lead actress; showcasing her incredible talent since she was also given the responsibility for the movie's amazing soundtrack. Dancer in the Dark is the third film in Von Trier's 'Golden Heart Trilogy' and was met with standing ovations when it aired at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival and was also awarded the Palme d'Or.
Innocent and hard working Czech immigrant Selma is going blind. She has a genetic disorder that she has passed along to her son Gene, and she is saving all of her money from her low paying jobs to get him the operation that he will need to save his sight. Selma escapes the harsh realities of her life by losing herself in music, however when a desperate neighbour takes advantage of her and falsely accuses her of stealing, things take a dramatic and terrible turn for the worse.
Lars von Trier has a real knack for destroying things that are beautiful that is both hypnotic and disturbing, and with the movie being set in 1960's Washington State, it does feel like another Trier stab at those 'awful' American's.
All of that aside, this is still great movie making. It is not an easy watch, it's depressing in every way. The characters are mostly cruel and the outcome is just plain shocking. It is tough going but worth the effort.
FINAL SAY: In a musical, nothing dreadful ever happens.
4 Chilli Peppers
RSS Feed