Recreate! – Purposeful Living Idea 10 of 52

It’s summer so what better topic than recreation?  Perhaps I can help you see the idea of recreation in a fresh way as I recently have myself.

I recently came across the fact that the word “recreate” literally is a combination of “re” and “create.”  This got me to thinking and I’ve come to the realization that true recreation is going to be something that gives me new life, energy, and encouragement.  Recreation should refresh, enliven and re-create me into a better version of myself.   These qualities are what make recreation different from entertainment or socializing (at least for introverts like me).  There’s even this idea of working from rest rather than resting from work… holy Toledo!

For me, what this means practically is that 

1. Recreation is something I need to help me keep positive and sane.
2. Recreation could very well look like taking a nap if that’s what I need.
3. There’s much more for a recovering workaholic like me to learn if I’m going to take care of myself to keep at this world change thing for years to come.

My baby step and one I’d invite you to take as well:  Find 3 times this week to recreate.  Whether it be for 1 hour each or 3 hours each.  Let’s get out and enjoy the summer in Chicago or take a nap, whichever we need most.

Re-create yourself.  Change the world.

June 2013 at Overflow

Tuesday, June 25 at 7:00pm - Moriyah - A Life Journey Film Screening in partnership with Maren Wickwire the filmmaker.

Moriyah’s life has changed a lot: After being the regional manager of 32 Tommy Hilfiger stores in Texas, she is now a mother living in the desert who does not only fight the sand but also the feeling of not being able to live up to everybody’s expectations. This conflict becomes clear especially in the mother’s high demands regarding her daughter’s standard of living and Moriyah’s real life circumstances in the desert with no amenities. “When you are content with what you have, you are rich!” -Rabbinic saying

The filmmaker Maren Wickwire will be present for the screening and post-screening discussion.  Maren founded manifest media in 2007 while studying communication design and documentary film at the Folkwang University of Arts in Germany. She is a filmmaker and designer by heart and searches for meaning and depth in all of her work. Maren Wickwire's documentaries and media work for nonprofits reflect her desire to see social change and justice. Her social and cultural studies brought her to work with Holocaust survivors as well as Arab Christians in the Westbank, underserved women in Tajikistan and ex-guerrilla fighters in Huanuco, Peru. She uses documentary film as a tool to raise awareness, bring hope and give a voice to the untold stories of injustice.

2013 Membership is back and half priced!  For $25.00, you can become an Overflow member and save 10% on all your purchases for the rest of 2013.  Hurry because the memberships will only be available through June 30 and then they're gone for good.

If you spend $10 a week or more on average at Overflow, this card will pay for itself and then some.  $10 is the equivalent of a small coffee each day Monday through Friday or a sandwich and latte on the weekend.  It's also great for purchasing coffee to brew at home!


Other events hosted in our building:

• Saturday, June 8 - Chicago Solo Theatre (hosted by Daystar Center) @ 8pm
• Tuesday, June 11 - The Postman Always Rings Twice Film Screening (hosted by Daystar Center) @ 6:30pm 
• Saturday, June 15 - The Teflons in Concert (hosted by Daystar Center) @ 7:30pm

Watch this Documentary– Purposeful Living Idea 9 of 52

Here's my weekly suggestion for purposeful living - Take 43 minutes and 44 seconds and watch this documentary: http://thelinemovie.com.  

For this week, I’m not going to post a possible action step.  Instead, I’m asking you to post and share – What are you doing to help end poverty in the United States?  What would you like to do more?  Any thoughts and ideas inspired by the film?

The Line Film Screening

This screening is being held in partnership with the Chicago office of World Vision.

Poverty in America —

It's not what you think.

The Line documents the stories of people across the country living at or below the poverty line. They have goals. They have children. They work hard. They are people like you and me. Across America, millions are struggling every day to make it above The Line.

The core purpose of World Vision in Chicago is to bring together passionate people who share a desire for serving with the poor. World Vision's programs, global reach, and opportunities to engage are available right here in Chicago. Today, World Vision works to serve and partner with more than 60,000 people each year from almost every Chicago neighborhood and across Chicago's suburban communities.

The film is 40 minutes long so there will be plenty of time for discussion (we might end before 9pm).

Transit/Parking - While we encourage the use of public transit (Red Line, #29, #62 and other buses are close), limited parking is available in the rear of the building on a first come first served basis. Bring $3 for your spot. No one will be in the lot to take it. You can pay at the ticket check-in table.

Watch Documentaries – Purposeful Living Idea 8 of 52

When it comes to being inspired to live life more purposefully, few things really help us get into complex issues the same way documentary films can.  Documentary films tell stories and show us images in ways that news, articles, and the interwebs cannot.  Documentaries connect us to other humans in ways that enable us to empathize with their journeys.  They can be even more inspiring when they present multiple viewpoints some of which we may not share or haven never considered.  Of course, not all documentaries are good.  Some are very one-sided but the best are unusual, persuasive, and present multiple viewpoints of the same issue. 

If you’ve had bad experiences with documentaries in the past, try to find one about a topic that interests you.  Alternatively, watch a documentary with a group of people and plan to have a discussion about the film afterward.  Perhaps you’ll enjoy the discussion more than the actual documentary.  I think that’s okay… the ends justify the means in this case.

I’ll post tomorrow about a chance to see a documentary with lots of personal stories.

Watch documentaries.  Better your life.  Change the world.