BEHIND THE SCENES

What makes for a great movie?

Is it the script or perhaps the acting?

Could it be the directing that perfects it all or the great videography that takes the message home?

I think all these elements are instrumental in creating a par excellent product. More-so, there is so much expounding that is done to these facets of the film in-order for the writing to come to life.

So, would it be fair for us to right out a movie as bad, simply because a dimension of it did not meet our standards?

Well, if our primary focus is what we see and not the work it took to get there, then sure. However, that can be a double- edged sword as the final result may not do full justice to the work that was put in backstage. The writer may have done a phenomenal job but was let done by the director. An actor may have brought the role to life but poor sound and picture quality failed to do justice to their efforts. Therefore, when we collectively criticize something, we risk disregarding the great standard of work portrayed in one area of this entity and this is certainly discouraging to the people that did do their job right. Disintegration during analysis becomes key.

This is of utmost importance when looking at our achievements through the microscope of societal expectations. Now, let me clear this up really quickly…,

“Societal expectations are not always negative, considering that we make up part of this society. However, the generalization of what makes the cut as success is what bores the negative effects.”

Our lives can be likened to a movie with all the characteristics that we find in a typical film.

We have a story line created by the Writer, but, the gift of free will given to us as the main actor, gives us leeway to add or subtract a few scenes.

Our supporting actors happen to be stars in their own works and their influence on us may clash with the purpose of our film.

Technological advancements are making it easier for the media to portray us as they see fit, which translates to there being several different interpretations of your work.

So, while trying to control the narrative of your life, as the protagonist, you inevitably wear the cape of a director, and in the interest of getting the best shot, you find yourself handling the cinematography aspect of it all as well. Talk about wearing many hats…

It’s a lot but its possible, just not overnight. Due to the fact that it takes time to get to get to a place where the product is perfect in all spheres of its existence, our measuring rod needs to be progression. This progression needs be weighed in respect of the different elements of our lives. Your kindness is interconnected to your patience but it is not your patience. You can be fairly kind but horrible at waiting well. Sever the two for prudent scrutiny.

You can be great at remembering facts but slow at relaying them on paper. This will affect your final mark but it is important to give yourself credit for that which you are excellent at. Doing so allows you to work with strategy and keeps your confidence afloat because, while you try getting every piece of the puzzle together, some scenes of the film of your life are going to look messy. If you plan on celebrating your success when it meets every standard you have ever set then it might take some time and you may find yourself falling into a hole of self- doubt during that waiting season.

This is not to downplay the importance of aiming for excellence in everything that you do. On the contrary, the aim is to get our lenses directed towards the power that is in the finesse we hold in one area of our lives and work, and use that to develop greater degrees of efficiency in all other areas.

Do not write yourself off because you can’t seem to get it right on the big screen. Allow yourself the time to inspect areas that don’t need you investing too much of your energy and redirect that strength to filling up the empty cups in you.

A look at our forefather from the tribe of Judah, King David, shows us that he struggled with self-control when it came to the indulgence of his passions. This led to him committing adultery with Bathsheba, trying to cover up her pregnancy, and when he failed to do that, getting her husband Uriah the Hittite killed. Despite all that, God still regarded him as a man after his own heart. He was a broken vessel made of dirt, but, in him lay humility, courage and faith that always led him back to his relationship with Christ.

We cannot definitively say that David was a bad man, but he was flawed. When we look at his character, we dissect it so as to develop a balanced understanding of who he was and in turn learn from what we must. Likewise, we need to look at our work ethic, our personality as well as all other facets of our being with the same level of discernment.

So much happens behind the scenes, take cognizance of it all without putting an umbrella on it.

From my progressing heart to yours...

Love,

Pretty Conscience