There is a moment in your favorite movie when the protagonist begins to make significant progress. This moment, which is actually a dedicated sequence, looks and feels different from everything that’s come before. The protagonist is actively learning, doing and engaging in a series of actions that move the plot (and typically their own personal journey) significantly forward.
We’re talking about the common cinema device called a montage, in which rapid edits are used to indicate jumps forward in time. A classic example is the makeover sequence featuring Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman.” You know how it goes: after being frozen out by a series of high-snobiety saleswomen in the rarified boutiques of Beverly Hills, she returns with her handsome client (Richard Gere) to shop herself silly, with the aid of his clout and his credit card.
Montages are usually scored with a particular song, or piece of music, that serves to underline the protagonist’s state of mind. The PW montage is overlaid with the movie’s title song, which lends a playful sensuality to the events, as the scenes cut back and forth between various environments and outfits. We don’t know exactly how long Julia spends in retail heaven, but we can surmise that it’s probably hours of bliss.
In any case, toward the end of the shopping montage, she returns to the hotel room she shares with Gere, her hands loaded with shopping bags and an army of hotel staff walking behind her, carrying the rest. She ends the montage sequence by plopping down on a chair with a big grin on her face, and we understand that she has taken a big leap forward, both in her sartorial choices and the professional upgrade they give her. Progress!
Movies are all fine and good, but who in everloving hell designed the human experience without a montage option?
Waking up on a gray morning with thin window light seeping through, lying under the weight of your gigantic to-do list (see also: global warming, oncoming AI, a frightening election, and another possible Pandemic), how great would it be to edit ourselves forward through the psychic sludge, fueled only by our highest intentions and a song?
In the thick of all this world sorrow and uncertainty, marshaling the energy to keep going sometimes seems like an impossible task. But I know something true about us, and it is this: we are gritty so much. Something else I know is that if we’re gonna get through the next obstacle(s), we’ve got to get 100% real. No one is coming to save us with shopping. We’re gonna have to save ourselves, and right quick.
What we need is a grit montage, and we’re gonna use “Joy,” by the great Bettye LaVette. She starts her story with a feral roar. Hear her fury? That’s as real as it gets. She’s singing about the places where she traveled in search of success in the notoriously racist and ageist music business. I want you to think on whatever is blocking your joy right now. They had no right to take my joy, I want it back!
Take a deep breath, and relax your belly. Now stand up to your full height and feel your joints cracking. Inhale Bettye’s voice, and let it blast through your insides. Body in motion, forward motion, moving with whatever you’ve got.
Look around and grab something that needs attention: some laundry, or your dirty reading glasses, or any low-stakes menial task that will make your life easier. Do it deliberately and thoroughly. Feels good, right? Go into the kitchen and make yourself something nourishing. Nothing fancy: oatmeal if you have to. Caffeinate, if that’s your thing. Just keep your montage moving forward, gathering small bursts of strength as you go.
You might need to play the song again, and again after that, but no apologies. Just keep moving forward. Bettye fought heartache and poverty with ferocious grit and found her bliss at last, and so can you. The secret, she wants us to know, is that grit comes from self-respect, so remember this: you’re standing on a mountain of grit, mama, and you earned it by moving through every single obstacle in your path. Where do you want to be when your montage is done? Step by step, grit by grit, go to there.
This article originally appeared on Womancake.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org
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5 Hidden Meditation Retreats Experts Swear Will Melt Your Stress Away
Most of us don’t notice how much stress we’re holding onto, but even a quiet moment of meditation can help us feel more grounded and relaxed.
However, if the stress of modern life makes you feel burned out, you might need something a little more impactful.
We’ve rounded up the best meditation retreats around the world, according to experts, to help you find a peaceful place to find your zen and melt away stress.
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Continuously ranked as one of the leading meditation retreats in the world, Wat Suan Mokkh is a Theravada Buddhist Temple founded by Ajahn Buddhadasa in 1932. The center now runs monthly retreats catering to both professionals and beginners alike.
Each session focuses on helping you live a more compassionate life, fostering emotional well-being. The retreat lasts ten days, and you’ll be silent for the duration, which can be much more challenging than it sounds.
Don’t forget to check the regulations – there are rules around wake-up times, meals, and other requirements to help you get the most out of your trip.
“The retreat at Wayt Suan Mokkh is truly life-changing, but they do have a full library of books, audios, poems, and guides to help you learn the teachings of the temple from anywhere in the world.” – Justin Gasparovic from The Enemy of Average
Wat Suan Mokkh International Dharma Hermitage
“Ala Kukui” means “the pathway of illumination”, and it’s the perfect meditation retreat for healing your inner spirit and ensuring harmony. Set on the beautiful land of Hana, the center is world-renowned for its Vipassana meditation program.
“You can’t pick a more tranquil, beautiful place for a meditation retreat than Hawaii. Surrounded by nature, you can sink into the peaceful sounds of the ocean, trees, and birds singing as you meditate.” – Michelle Justice from Nature Sound Retreat
For yoga lovers, this retreat is perfect. There are a range of yoga sessions on offer for beginners and experienced yogis, as well as a range of meditative activities like writing, gardening, and wellness programs.
Ala Kukui
Imagine sitting in a stunning villa just off Sintra’s National Park coastline, eating a delicious breakfast ready for your forest therapy walk.
If it sounds incredible, it’s because this place truly is. The Shamballah Yoga Retreat in Sintra, Portugal, has everything you need to enhance your emotional, intellectual, and spiritual well-being.
“You get everything at the Shamballah retreat, from yoga classes and surf lessons to guided nature walks, sound journeys, and guided meditations. If you need to work on building a positive mindset to deal with the stress of everyday life, this is a fantastic place to be.” – Michael Laauwe from Positive Thinking Mind
The center has a few different retreat packages available, each giving you different tools to grow and find inner peace. But it really doesn’t matter which one you choose – they all offer incredible benefits in a stunning setting.
Shamballah Yoga Retreat
It’s easy to picture the sun, sea, and crashing waves when you think about a meditation retreat, but Scotland has a reputation for outstanding retreats and course programs stretching back to the sixth century.
The winter retreat is a three-week program that focuses on self-reflection, meditation, and group work. The retreat is run by Karma Zangpo, an experienced leader who spent over six years in Nepal studying under Drupon Rinpoche.
“Scotland is a lesser-known hub of spiritual practice but a wonderful place to relax and recharge. If you’re a Sagittarius, you’ll especially love the alone time you get to practice and explore in the peace and quiet of the beautiful Scottish countryside.” – Liz Roby from Astrologify
The courses at Holy Isle incorporate walks, meditation, Tai chi, and yoga, encompassing its slogan: The Center for World Peace and Health. The winter retreats are popular, but the center runs a range of courses throughout the year.
Holy Isle
Assisi is the sacred home and pilgrimage site of Saint Francis and his sister in devotion, Saint Clare. The beautiful medieval hillside town evokes inner peace with views of rolling hills and olive groves that stretch for miles.
The unique retreats at Simple Peace aim to give you practical tools to achieve inner peace. Led by renowned meditation teachers, you’ll take part in daily meditation, mindful walks to holy sites, sacred silence, and other meditative practices.
“Italy has the perfect combination of stunning scenery, world-class meditation leaders, and delicious healthy food to help you find balance.” – Adnaan Ayoub from Max Health Living
Although this retreat does have a religious element with dedicated walks to holy sites, the leaders warmly welcome people of all religions and beliefs, fostering a strong community feel.
Simple Peace
Spending weeks in a world-class meditation retreat is a life-changing experience. Whether you’re on a forest walk in Portugal or taking a yoga class in Hawaii, the stress just melts away, and you feel a strong connection to yourself and the world.
But you don’t need to travel across the world to get the benefits of meditation. Start with a simple, five-minute meditation practice at home and see if you notice the stress begin to ease.
This article originally appeared on TheRoamWild.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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