Need a Pat on the Back or a Kick in the Pants? This 4-Minute Chick-Flick Does Both.

It’s beautiful and inspiring and okay a little schmaltzy. But sometimes I like that, because I am, at heart, a sap. Anway it’s a good way to start the week. A dear friend sent it to me, and I thought I’d share. Watch it here: Today I Rise. 

Below are a few of the film’s images, in the background is a woman speaking what sounds to be a poem.

Screen Shot 2015-11-09 at 2.39.13 PM

Not to be confused with the Maya Angelou poem, And Still I Rise, which is gorgeous.

Screen Shot 2015-11-09 at 2.40.09 PM

The film was produced by an entity called Wise at Heart (Facebook page here), devoted to the need for change and healing in the world; and is shown on FilmsforAction.org, which calls itself, quote, A COMMUNITY-POWERED LEARNING LIBRARY AND ALTERNATIVE NEWS CENTER FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO CHANGE THE WORLD, unquote.

Not going to argue with any of that.

Screen Shot 2015-11-09 at 2.38.44 PM

I’m wondering if the film is related to the 2011 book of same name, Wise at Heart, a collection of photographs and words of wisdom by  400 children and grown-ups from around the world, from kindergarteners (such as the boy next door), to movie stars (such as Tom Hanks), to Nobel Prize winners (such as Desmond Tutu)

Screen Shot 2015-11-09 at 2.37.26 PM

To whomever is behind it: Brava. Or bravo. Or both. We all need to rise, to do, to say, or to act upon whatever is calling us.

Screen Shot 2015-11-09 at 2.35.13 PM

And today is always a good time to start.

14 comments

  1. Frances, this is stunningly beautiful and very moving. this film also introducted me to ‘call to action’ films, i actually became lost in them.

    as an aside your book is so well received in my shop.
    grateful for you
    debra

    1. Oh, Debra, Thank you. I am so glad. I realized this was not going to be everyone’s thing, but I am so glad for those who were touched, encouraged, or inspired by it. And thank you for your kind words about The Bee Cottage Story. And that isn’t everyone’s thing either – ha! It has taught me a lesson about speaking our truth, from our hearts, from our authentic selves! Grateful for you, too, F

    1. Oh dear, Penelope, try copying the link and pasting it in you browser bar, or just put “Today I Rise” Films for Action in your browser bar/Google bar, and it should lead you to it. Lmk. X f

  2. Beautiful, Frances. I am passing this on to my daughter and other vital young women in my life. Thank you for sharing this love poem, this lovely poem, this loving poem.

  3. Dear Ms. Schmaltz…I mean Schultz (couldn’t resist 😉 This short film made me stand a little taller today. Thank you for sharing it!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *