There’s Beauty in the Breakdown
I love a good breakdown…
It’s awful, but true. Having had my share of them, I can appreciate the gifts that seem to follow. Indeed, it took a breakdown for me to final start writing THE BOOK. (Seriously, this is me, writing my way through and laughing/crying all the way to THE END. It’s what my book is ALL ABOUT.)
It shouldn’t surprise me or those who know me given that many of my favourite movie moments feature COLOSSAL breakdowns. I love the mix: Funny/sad/mad/glad. So powerful. So beautiful. This is what great books, and movies, are made from.
This past year especially I’ve gotten really comfortable with being uncomfortable through other people’s breakdowns. There’s no longer the urge to run or hide. I’m getting better at standing tall through it all, for them and for me. Because I recognize that the moment is so special. And something amazing is about to come out of it.
So whether, like me, it took a breakdown to commit to your Passion Project, or you’re in the middle of experiencing what I’m sure will be one of many more breakdowns in the course of it (if not, you’re not dreaming big enough), know that it’s a good thing. That it will lead to something even better. That there are lessons to be learned, growth to be had, change to be made, possibilities to open up.
With breakdown comes new paradigms. New awarenesses. Each time it demands of us that we build ourselves up. Make ourselves brand new. This time smarter, faster, stronger. We get to reinvent our vision.
So remember: If you’re going through a breakdown, REJOICE! Your breakthrough is just around the corner.
In honour of the breakdown, here are my TOP 3 FAVOURITE EMOTIONAL BREAKDOWN SCENES and movie moments:
Steel Magnolias - When Sally Fields’ cries over her daughter’s death, and then Olympia Dukakis and Shirley MacLaine make everyone laugh. There’s nothing like a good cry, followed by an even better laugh.
Jerry Maguire - Quite possibly Tom Cruise’s best movie EVER, this film is chock full of gorgeous breakdown moments. And Cuba Gooding Jr as his antagonist is BRILLIANT! “You think we’re fighting, and I think we’re finally talking!”
The First Wives Club - From one of my favourite movies, one of my favourite breakdowns. As far as I’m concerned, Diane Keaton is the queen of the emotional breakdown. The best!