The Collection Of Extraordinarily Ordinary Moments
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My friend Ginger sent me a link to an interview last week that included this quote:
"Well, that's what life is — this collection of extraordinarily ordinary moments," Alexander Payne says. "We just need to pay attention to them all. Wake up and pay attention to how beautiful it all is...If you were falling in love and you could go back in time and relive a day and see the banal things you did that you'd forgotten about, you'd weep, looking at that day," Payne says. "Somewhat dramatic things happen, and you don't even always notice them — that's what life is."
From the interview, "Those moments, unless you write them down or photograph them, drift off and away. They just go by. But movies — mindful ones — can make us stop for a while and notice what happens."
Full text of the interview available here. Listen to the interview with Alexander Payne here.
Are there movies or books that make you more mindful in your everyday life?
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51 comments
Most any book that is well written with the sweet,litle details and the language that invents pictures in my mind. Oh how I can get lost in a good book!
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Lovely post, Ali. The film that always inspires me is the German film 'Lives of Others' - its such a perfectly structured story and so well acted. It always makes me want excellence and, when I'm in that frame of mind, I notice much more. Similarly any book by Calvino or Andrew Miller.
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One of my favorite films too! Superbly acted and well made.
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The movie Enchanted April is one that remains me about how joyous all the little things, the emotions, the bonds that make up a colour rich life.
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That should be reminds me - which reminds me how richly imperfect life is - ah the gift of imperfection :-)
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I heard that on NPR last week and totally had a "driveway moment". I loved the interview - and how cool that he won AND thanked his Mom! :)
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There are 2 books I love that are great reminders to enjoy & celebrate the everyday, ordinary moments of life. One is "The Gift from the Sea" by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. The other is "A Short Guide to a Happy Life" by Anna Quindlen.
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Love Gift from the Sea! Such a good book.
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Gosh you bring us such GOOD "stuff"...thanks Ali:)
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thank you for this, ali. I've just completed a month of ordinary moments collected at habit. and I'm organizing them together for a project. I hope you won't mind if I include the very apt quote.
I'm staying on at habit through march, and right now it is seamless with life.
One movie that effected me in this way is the cinematography of Bright Star (about Keats and Fannie Brawne); every scene has the effect of a painfully beautiful still life.
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I'm joining you this month at habit :).
May I ask about "habit"?
Is there a link?
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It's all so true! I just love him and his work, plus he's from Omaha, where I live! Thanks for sharing!
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The Four Agreements. A short little read but pretty powerful stuff. I wrote the 4 agreements downa dnkeep in tacked to my board at work. Helps me remember.
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The movie "The Way" with Martin Sheen is a lovely movie about living life. Even made my husband cry. It was the recent malfunctioning of my dishwasher that made me realize about slowing down and appreciating the little moments. I actually wrote about it on my blog last week kimreynolds.ca (not a plug just easier than rewriting my thoughts here! lol)
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That one is on my list - thanks Kim.
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The Friday Night Knitting Club and the sequel, Knit Two, reminded me of bonding moments with my closest friends that I'd forgotten about. Reading any books aloud with my kids are also ordinary yet extraordinary moments - for instance I've read the Harry Potter series with both kids over the years. My son and daughter are 7 years apart in age. By writing down their different reactions, I've captured quotes that range from hilarious to heart-tugging. Right now my daughter and I are midway through The Hunger Games. Last night I wrote down that she said "I already know what is going to happen because I wiki'd it...(huge smile) I love spoilers! Everyone should love spoilers, I can't live without them!" Reading together and recording our book discussions is something I'll always do - when I look back, it is so true that without this documentation, these memories would be gone forever.
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I'm glad to read that you're reading Hunger Games with your daughter. Although the language is definitely "early young adult" the themes are not. And, though it is riveting (I couldn't put it down), I'm still not sure whether I liked it or not. Something about kids killing kids just strikes me as wrong and I think our young ones need some family discussion along with reading the book. Just 2 cents worth from a social studies teacher. :)
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Love that quote. I have often long thought about celebrating those moments. It's actually why I named my blog what I did 6 years ago; "Live a Life EXTRAordinary." I wanted a daily reminder to do just that. :) Good stuff as always Ali! TFS! Have a beautiful day.
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Great interview and thanks for sharing. I think this must be why so many people are enjoying Project Life - it's all about the ordinary. Eat, Drink, Man, Woman is an exceptionally beautiful movie (the cinematography is gorgeous) about everyday life made exceptional. Love books by Pema Chodron and Thomas Merton (about noticing 'in the moment') and anything that involves noticing what is around you.
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Thoughts right out of the play "Our Town". Love it!
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great movie that makes me think of the everyday life is Steel Magnolia"
love it love it
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gosh. what a great quote. i can't think of a book or movie, but i CAN think of so many blogs i read that put me in a mindful mood: yours, Amanda Soule's, lots of others of course. reading people's memories makes me want to build my own, which makes me notice each small thing that's happening around me even more.
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Love Amanda.
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Lovely. Thanks so much for sharing.
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Thanks for this quote and link. Just what I need on a rainy Thursday.
Some movies/t.v. that come to mind for me
Bread and Tulips
Mostly Martha
Anne of Green Gables
Parenthood (t.V.show - check out Hulu)
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The Way is an awesome movie...I just watched it last week. We just found out today that a friend of ours ( 44 years old ) died yesterday. His daughter came home from school and found him on the couch. We never know what will happen in this life and yes, we should take in all we can...photograph & document this beautiful life God has given us.
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Ali
I just ran into this image in Pinterest and it reminded it so much of your one little word for the year combined book/movie theme for this post...just go check it out
http://pinterest.com/pin/56506170294635257/
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