Judah was so nervous before his piano recital on Sunday. He worried that he would make a mistake and the audience would laugh.
To ease his fears, his teacher Sharon said, “We are here to share our music, not to perform perfectly.”
Judah made 3 mistakes during his performance. When he finished, the audience applauded, and he grinned as he took a bow.
This is LIFE. Not to be flawless, but to share your heart and passion as boldly as you can.
When my son Logan was little, we decided to get him a new backyard swing set for his birthday. He had worn out the old one, and it was time for an upgrade.
But, this was tricky. To build the new swing set, we had to tear down the old one. How would we explain to a 6-year-old why his favorite place was being destroyed without giving away the birthday surprise?
On the afternoon of the ‘demolition’, I sat down with Logan and said: “Today, some people are coming to take apart the swing set. I know you’ve played on it a lot, but I promise it will be OK, and we will find lots of other fun things to do.”
He asked, “Will they be using saws and hammers to take it down?”
“Probably,” I replied.
Then, after thinking for a long moment, he said, “Can I help?”
I was shocked. I had prepared myself for tears, and panic, and fear. ‘Why would you take this from me?’ ‘This isn’t fair!’ ‘I need this, don’t take it way!’
But, instead, I saw faith.
Rather than fighting against the moment, Logan chose to believe in the journey and engage with it. He didn’t see it as a loss. He experienced it as part of the adventure of living.
Even though he didn’t know it and couldn’t see it - at that very second - a brand new swing set was in the warehouse being loaded onto a truck for delivery. It was bigger and brighter and more beautiful than the one being destroyed.
A new swing set was coming.
Today, you may be watching your favorite swing set being torn down. Perhaps the safe places, people, and things that you feel are essential to your existence are being ripped away.
I’m so sorry it’s happening. I know it hurts, and I wish I could make the pain disappear.
But don’t let it steal your faith. Your precious memories on that old swing set can never be replaced, but here’s the truth:
A new swing set is coming.
You can’t see it today. It is beyond your ability to imagine or predict. And it may not arrive as quickly as you’d like. But something beautiful is coming. Hang on, and keep believing in the journey.
A new swing set is coming.
When my son Logan was little, we decided to get him a new backyard swing set for his birthday. He had worn out the old one, and it was time for an upgrade.
But, this was tricky. To build the new swing set, we had to tear down the old one. How would we explain to a 6-year-old why his favorite place was being destroyed without giving away the birthday surprise?
On the afternoon of the ‘demolition’, I sat down with Logan and said: “Today, some people are coming to take apart the swing set. I know you’ve played on it a lot, but I promise it will be OK, and we will find lots of other fun things to do.”
He asked, “Will they be using saws and hammers to take it down?”
“Probably,” I replied.
Then, after thinking for a long moment, he said, “Can I help?”
I was shocked. I had prepared myself for tears, and panic, and fear. ‘Why would you take this from me?’ ‘This isn’t fair!’ ‘I need this, don’t take it away!’
But, instead, I saw faith.
Rather than fighting against the moment, Logan chose to believe in the journey and engage with it. He didn’t see it as a loss. He experienced it as part of the adventure of living.
Even though he didn’t know it and couldn’t see it - at that very second - a brand new swing set was in the warehouse being loaded onto a truck for delivery. It was bigger and brighter and more beautiful than the one being destroyed.
A new swing set was coming.
Today, you may be watching your favorite swing set being torn down. Perhaps the safe places, people, and things that you feel are essential to your existence are being ripped away.
I’m so sorry it’s happening. I know it hurts, and I wish I could make the pain disappear.
But don’t let it steal your faith. Your precious memories on that old swing set can never be replaced, but here’s the truth:
A new swing set is coming.
You can’t see it today. It is beyond your ability to imagine or predict. And it may not arrive as quickly as you’d like. But something beautiful is coming. Hang on, and keep believing in the journey.
A new swing set is coming.
Sometimes, the darkness feels overwhelming.
In this interview we filmed with author Neil Gaiman, he shared these inspiring words about HOPE, the light that can guide us through the dark places.
This clip is from our upcoming documentary film Look to the Sky, which will explore HOPE, one of the greatest super powers on the planet.
My son Judah said, "I'm glad we are stuck in traffic. I've never really had a chance to look at these trees."
So, I took a breath. And I looked at the trees with Judah. And I felt better.
I was honored to film the wedding of Steve Harvey's daughter, Karli.
Although they had 2 production crews at the wedding, many of the images in tomorrow's TV segment are from my camera... including this screenshot posted to Twitter today.
They are an incredibly sweet family, and I wish them much love & happiness in the years ahead!
So, our film Legends of the Knight was mentioned in this video by Cracked.com!
Whoa! Add this to the list of surreal experiences.
The full video has 330,000 views, & you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/qODXezDKQuA
A recent screening of Legends of the Knight raised $5,000 for PACE Center for Girls (Pasco)! This amazing organization mentors & educates at-risk young women, helping them become powerful superheroes.
After an inspiring community screening, Tricia & I were able to visit their center & speak to 50 girls who are part of their program. Many of these girls have troubled backgrounds & have experienced deep heartbreak.
Near the end of our time together, I asked them: "What did you learn from watching our film Legends of the Knight & discussing it together?"
One of the girls replied, "My life can be different, but the process is slow. And one day, my pain will allow me to help someone else."
Oh man. My heart is so full!
Thanks to Amanda Simon Colón, Zac Hurst, and so many others who made this wonderful event happen! And thanks to PACE Center for Girls Inc for the positive impact they are making. So happy to support your efforts!
Life hurts sometimes. I’m sorry about this. I wish the process wasn’t so brutal.
These are the moments where HOPE is powerful – it’s the confidence that something good is ahead, even if you can’t see or feel it. HOPE allows you to believe in a future that hasn’t happened yet, even if you are unsure how to reach it. It’s NOT the naiveté of buying a lottery ticket to become a millionaire. It’s NOT just crossing your fingers and wishing for good luck.
HOPE is investing your heart and soul into a better, more beautiful vision of yourself and the world. It’s giving yourself to that vision. Holding onto the tiniest splinter of belief, even when the pain threatens to overwhelm you.
FEAR says that you are too small, too broken, too weak. But HOPE is knowing that the support necessary to create something wonderful will arrive when you need it and when you are truly ready for it. God will provide. The world is full of loving people who will help. There will be enough.
But the process WILL be painful. I hate that part, and I wish it was avoidable. The pain will force you to let go of what you don’t need… the stuff that is holding you back. It can help you get a clearer view of what matters and who you really are.
You are NOT alone. Around the world, there are fellow warriors fighting similar battles. Someone else has walked through the exact situation you are in and felt the same hurt.
There is HOPE in togetherness, in sharing our stories and listening to the tales of others who have similar dreams and hurts. There is strength in authenticity, openness, and trust. If you don’t have a tribe to share your journey with, seek one.
When I make a movie, I seem to find that I need the message more than the viewers do. Or, maybe I just make the films I need to see. Perhaps the hours I spend crying over these inspirational stories in the editing room are an essential part of my personal journey.
Either way, the next movie Look to the Sky is about HOPE… what it is, where it comes from, how we lose it, and how we get it back. So, it’s on my heart today.
May your day be filled with peace, joy, and HOPE. Sending love and hugs today, my friend!
When my son Logan was little, he asked me how Cookie Monster got his name. I said that he was obsessed with cookies. They are all he thought about. They are his primary focus. So, they call him a “Cookie Monster”.
Logan said, “Does that mean we should start calling you WORK MONSTER?”
His innocent question really made me think. I love my work. I get such delight from capturing incredible weddings & events, creating stories for not-for-profits & companies, and producing superhero films to inspire. But I continue to see the danger of allowing my work to DEFINE me.
There have been times when I couldn’t separate what I DO from who I AM. I was a “human doing” rather than a “human being”. This hurt my heart and negatively impacted my relationships.
I recommend finding a mission you are excited about & pursuing it with great passion. But let it be an expression of yourself, not the core of your identity. Let it be your gift to the world, not the core of your existence.
Be known in the world as a “Love Monster”.
This is the house where Superman was born.
In 1932, two high school students imagined the first modern superhero in this simple home in the suburbs of Cleveland. While filming here for our next documentary Look to the Sky, I am reminded of the potential within every young person to create, imagine, and dream. And it fills me with hope.
Have a heroic week! May your imagination lead you somewhere super!
"In a world filled with horrible news every day, these stories show us a light we desperately need and remind us that heroes can still inspire..."
A heroic article about Look to the Sky in Fangirl Magazine!
With our next documentary film, Look to the Sky, we want to create an even bigger impact! We are building partnerships with charitable organizations that can use these superhero films as tools to inspire their community & fundraise.
Today, I spoke to a coalition of organizations that assist the homeless. I loved seeing their hearts to help others, and I’m looking forward to the positive impact we will make together!
A talk-show host in Phoenix once interviewed Mother Teresa for his program. He was very impressed & asked, "How can I help you in some way?”
She said to him, "Tomorrow morning, get up at 4:00 am & go out onto the streets of Phoenix. Find someone who believes that he's alone, and convince him he's not."
After hearing that story a few years ago, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking & trying to learn about how to help people who are hurting & feel alone.
I used to think the best way to help people was to analyze their problems & advise them on how to ‘fix’ themselves. Over time, I have realized that, for people who are suffering, their most urgent need isn’t information. Telling them the reasons why they are hurting & how to avoid it in the future, doesn’t provide comfort. It usually makes them feel judged & even more alone. We all need to hear the truth eventually, but not in our deepest moments of darkness.
In those moments, people need to feel JOINED. They need someone to enter into the hurt & be present. They long for someone to be emotionally vulnerable and empathize. To look them directly in the eyes & say, “I see you. I know you are hurting. I am WITH you.”
This is hard to do. To really do it. It’s exhausting, uncomfortable, & frustrating. Your mind wants to judge them. Your ego wants to pass along sage advice from your own experiences.
But their first need is be LOVED… Not because they behaved properly, met your expectations, or earned your kindness. They need to be seen the way God sees them. Wrapped in an embrace that won’t let them go. Loved unconditionally.
If you feel alone today, please hear these words: “I see you. I know you are hurting. I am with you.”
Loved speaking tonight at the conference of The Arc of Florida!
They support individuals with intellectual & development disabilities. And they are some of the coolest people on the planet! They applauded constantly & laughed at all my jokes.
I love them all! ❤️
Last night, my son Judah got stressed thinking about a school project that is due this week. “I don’t know what I’m doing!” “How will I finish this?” “This will be too hard!”
As a grown-up, it was easy for me to be confident about his ‘big’ project. As his Dad, I knew it was totally under control, even if he couldn’t see it. I knew that we would help him, even if he felt out-of-control. I knew there was really nothing to worry about.
But, when it comes to my own ‘big’ project, I don’t always feel so secure. I’m trying to complete a documentary film, and in my head, I sometimes find myself saying the same things: “I don’t know what I’m doing!” “How will I finish this?” “This will be too hard!”
Although I can’t always control my fears, deep in my heart, I know there will be a way. Even if I can’t see the answer. Even if I feel out-of-control. The help to finish the journey will be there when it’s needed.
And everything that really matters is safe.
You probably also have something important going on right now that feels bigger than you. It’s OK to feel insecure and vulnerable. Growth requires going into the uncomfortable spaces, and sometimes you will feel lost and lonely. It’s OK to acknowledge your emotions.
But you are NOT ALONE. I promise. And help is coming. Hang on.
"Look to the Sky isn’t trying to be the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s blowing holes in the tunnel so that light shines throughout."
Thanks to Cinema Blend & writer Nick Venable for this heroic article about our new Trailer.
Five years ago, Tricia and I sat in the office of a medical 'expert' to talk about our youngest son, Judah. The doctor told us Judah would struggle to find success in many areas of life & would always face emotional & mental limitations. Although she didn't say it directly, she clearly believed that his destiny was already determined.
But our family didn't see Judah as a diagnosis. We chose to see him as a SUPERHERO.
That decision has been the motivation behind our films. These movies are our 'Fight Songs'. And it has been a blessing to have so many others sing along with us.
Tomorrow, we will release the Trailer for our next film, Look to the Sky. After watching, you will know that Judah - and every other young person on the planet - can FLY. Our hope is that this new film will inspire many others to join him in the sky.
BTW - The expert was wrong. We were right. Judah is doing amazing!
I’m working on the Trailer for our next film, Look to the Sky. When I first envisioned the Trailer, I wanted a specific concept to be part of it. I worked really hard on this one part. But, after I finished the 1st draft, I realized it didn’t work.
It was hard to cut it. Although I needed to let it go, I was in love with the 'idea' of it. But, to make the Trailer the best it could be, it needed to be changed.
In life, sometimes you have to discard the pieces that don’t work. Even if they are the parts that required the most effort or feel closest to your heart. You have to be willing to separate & leave behind the things that are keeping you from what is best.
Often, this requires changing the image you have of yourself. You have to envision yourself without the person that’s hurting you, in another job, living in another city, pursing a different dream. When you can get a mental picture of a ‘new you’, it’s easier to make the change.
After a few days, I was able to envision the Trailer without this part. It started to feel more natural, & I realized the Trailer was stronger without it. Can’t wait for you to see it on October 1!
A few weeks ago, I finished the first draft of the Trailer for our new film, Look to the Sky. I saw all the rough edges & a few editing decisions that clearly weren’t working. I felt so insecure.
You’ve probably been there too. Your first attempt is terrible & leaves you feeling anxious.
You bang your head against the wall at 3am. You say, “This is awful! I’m a failure! Why am I doingthis? What if it never gets better? What if my new ideas aren’t as good as my old ideas?”
Then, you re-edit, and the next version makes you smile a little. Dawn breaks. You remind yourself that it will get better. You remember to trust the process. And to trust yourself.
Today, the Trailer makes me SO happy! There are still several details to perfect, but, these days, I’m smiling a lot. Can’t wait for you to see it on October 1.
