How you see yourself is important. How you see others is equally important. We often underestimate how much our perceptions shape both realities.
Recently, someone on Twitter posted a link to a short video, The Butterfly Circus. It won First Place in the “2009 Door Post Film Festival.” It’s only 20 minutes, but it packs a powerful punch.
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Rather than ruin the story for you—and the impact—I encourage you to find a time to watch this film. It would great to watch it with your family or your team at work. I recommend that you click on this link and watch it full screen. Enjoy!
Question: What did you take away from the movie?
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Mike…this is an amazing short with a great message. Saw this as part of the judging in the festival and it also has one of "our" Hermie voice talents featured in a supporting role, Melissa Disney. It's an incredible reminder of how we view people on the exterior and make snap judgements.
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http://intensedebate.com/people/michaelhyatt Michael Hyatt
Thanks for pointing that out. I didn't realize Melissa was in it.
Wow I have to say I'm just about speechless after watching this. What an amazing lesson in perceptions and how they impact us. It is a reminder, for me, that we not only need to believe in ourselves, but also in others. Thank you for sharing this, it was a wonderful way to start my day.
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http://intensedebate.com/people/michaelhyatt Michael Hyatt
Isn't it amazing that a mere 20-minute video can have such a powerful impact. I really, really believe in this format.
http://wisewomenwrite.com Diane Owens
I debated about taking 20 minutes to watch this now, and I'm so glad I did because later I probably would have forgotten. So powerful–thank you so much for sharing, Michael! The line that struck me the most: "The greater the struggle, the more glorious the triumph." A good thing to keep in mind when God asks us to do the seemingly impossible.
My recent post My Biggest Fear
http://intensedebate.com/people/michaelhyatt Michael Hyatt
I can totally relate. I literally had it queued up for a week before I finally got around to watching it. I only wish that I had watched it earlier!
Carol york
What I took away: We tend to see people as a sum or their past, and not a possibility of their future. That is terrible, and does not reflect Christ's love for the least of these…I am challenged to take a fresh look at the people that I see as only a sum of their past or my history with them.
http://intensedebate.com/people/michaelhyatt Michael Hyatt
Absolutely. It reminded me of 1 Samuel 16:7: “For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (NKJV)
This movie mines the deep longings in all of us; the courage to step out of the hole of the past, to jump into what God has put in front of us and to freely live the life He has planned. It brought back forgotten emotions from childhood when my father brought me to a "freak show" at the circus. I remember being disturbed and longing for a better life for them. Thank you for posting it. I feel I have been set free as well.
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http://intensedebate.com/people/michaelhyatt Michael Hyatt
It was also a big reminder to me of how much power each of us have in what we believe about other people and the potential we see in them. Our belief can make a huge difference!
http://www.midlandjack.blogspot.com Jack Hager
Wow. Gee, I wonder if there might be spiritual applications? Take away…"the greater the struggle, the more glorious the triumph."
My recent post It's All in the Emphasis
http://intensedebate.com/people/michaelhyatt Michael Hyatt
Michael, thanks for posting this. I am going to show it to my students tomorrow (and hope I can keep from tearing up). So many of my kids come from troubled homes and live in a world full of alcohol, drugs, and sex–they have no real concept of being successful. I try to give them as many opportunities to shine as possible. I believe this movie will speak to them, and I covet your prayers for them.
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Just wanted to say that after a relatively lousy day at work this was such a refreshing breath. From the acting to the filming to of course, the story line, it's one of the best things I've seen in quite a while. Thank you for sharing it. We need more stuff like this.
http://www.carasweightlossjournal.com Cara
I've found myself in William's "shoes" out on that hill of rocks many times in my life. I get so comfortable within my own limitations that I somehow feel everyone else should meet me right there at the front of my limitations. And when they won't meet me there, I throw my hands up at them and say 'what is your problem?'. Pushing my limitations onto them. Until someone, like the circus master, comes along and lets me meet my limitation face-to-face and let me fall right no my face. I flail in panic and anger and 'how could they'. Then I realize it wasn't their fault at all. My limitations were all within my own mind and self. What a powerful movie. I rarely get 20 minutes to myself, I'm glad I spent it here. Thanks.
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bpierce
What a wonderful video. The actor without limbs by the way is an amazing Christian. Check out this brief video in which he gives his testimony. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DxlJWJ_WfA
http://intensedebate.com/people/michaelhyatt Michael Hyatt
I watched all of Nick's online videos about a year ago. They blew me away. He is one amazing guy. He kind of takes all of our excuses away!
http://deliverbliss.com Tim Sanchez
Thank you for sharing. Fantastic to see a courageous man like Nick Vujicic getting more exposure.
——
Our hearts shape our attitudes. Our attitudes shape our actions. Our actions shape our lives. Our lives shape our children.
Start with your heart. Start your day with God.
http://twitter.com/KarynBrownlee @KarynBrownlee
I'm rarely short on words, but tonight I am. This film put an exclamation point on God's words to me today, from morning til midnight. "The greater the struggle, the more glorious the triumph." Thanks, Mike.
http://intensedebate.com/people/success2you John Richardson
What a powerful message. It just shows the God given gifts many of us take for granted. I have hands… I can write. I have arms… I can reach out. I have legs… I can take a message to the world. Here was a man who had none of those and yet communicated so much. Thank you for sharing!
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Just in time for the holidays.. The Butterfly Circus DVD’s are now available!!! Visit our new website http://www.thebutterflycircus.com for exciting updates and to purchase other Butterfly Circus products.
Pichisme
Hi,
Just wanted to thank you for seeing The Butterfly Circus. We wanted to let you know, that the Butterfly Circus DVD’s are now available!!! Please visit our new website http://www.thebutterflycircus.com for exciting updates on the upcoming feature and to purchase other Butterfly Circus products.
Thank you!
Butterfly Circus Team
Rebekahmweigel
Michael-
We were honored to find this blog about our film! Thank you for the blog and tweeting about it as well! We just wanted to let everyone know the short film is now available for sale on our new website at http://www.thebutterflycircus.com. We are also working on the full length version of the film so keep an eye out on our website and Facebook page for updates! Thank you for your support!
Rebekah Weigel
Co-Writer/Producer of The Butterfly Circus
Please don’t take this as a negative. The story itself is great, and I agree with all that has been said in comments so far. However, the man playing Mr Mendez (mustache guy) had an accent so thick that I had to stop and go back on several occasions to get what he was saying. This really hurt the momentum of the story for me.
Anonymous
Thanks for sharing the link. I had the privilege to listen to Nick preach to over 8,000 people in Arequipa, Peru and almost 1,000 people receive the Lord on that night. His testimony is powerful!
Excellent film, thanks so much for sharing it and reading the comments was helpful. Just FYI, the link you posted above doesn’t work and is showing a different site. All the best,
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MICHELE CUSHATT is a communicator and storyteller whose speaking experience includes Women of Faith, Focus on the Family, and Compassion International. As emcee and communication coach, Michele is in her sixth year on staff at Dynamic Communicators International. She lives in Colorado with her husband Troy and three teenage sons. You can connect with Michele on her blog, Facebook, or Twitter.
BARRY HILL, JR. is a storyteller, blogger, speaker, barista, and is in his fifteenth year of full-time ministry to teens and their families. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, Rachel, and their six children—“the circus.” You can usually find Barry where fresh coffee and good ideas are brewing. To join in the conversation, drop by his blog, The Ordained Barista, visit him on Facebook, or follow him on Twitter.
JOE LALONDE is a husband, explorer, challenger, and an adrenaline junkie. He has served as a youth leader for E3 Ministries for over 10 years. He is usually found wandering the woods, enjoying the company of his wife, or running the trails. Joe enjoys helping others expand their influence and leadership skills. You can connect with Joe at his blog or Twitter.
RACHEL LANCE is originally from Alaska but now lives in a Chicago suburb with her husband and daughter. She works in technology and communications for the Willow Creek Association. She holds a degree in information management and is working on her Master’s in Library Science. Given the gift of time, top on her list would be a long bike ride, a great novel, and a farmer’s market dinner. Follow her on Twitter.
JIM MARTIN is the minister of Crestview Church of Christ in Waco, Texas, where he has served since 1994. He also leads a mentoring group, primarily composed of younger Christian leaders, and serves as a Mentoring Partner for MentorNetwork Ministry. He and his wife, Charlotte, have been married for 33 years. Read his blog, A Place for the God-Hungry, and follow him on Twitter.
TIM PETERS is the Co-Founder of Resolute Creative, a digital marketing group. He loves seeing organizations of all sizes come alive when they identify the best digital solutions to advance their cause. Tim enjoys working out, running marathons, playing golf and spending time with his wife and three kids. Connect with him on his blog, follow him Twitter or connect with him via LinkedIn.
JASON STAMBAUGH is a husband, father, former fat kid, accidental techie, and founder of Wevival and Shop My Church. Jason also blogs at Heart Your Church about church ministry in the social media era. When he’s not helping customers, or working on his latest project, you will find him hanging with his family, reading, learning to code, cooking, hobby farming, and exercising. Connect with him on Twitter and Google +.
JEREMY STATTON is an orthopedic surgeon in Louisville, KY. Although he enjoys writing, reading, and running, his first love is his wife and four kids. His family is currently in the process of adopting a son from China. He is also the author of Grace Is: A Practical Guide to God’s Love. He is an avid blogger at JeremyStatton.com focusing on helping others live a better story. Follow him on Twitter.
JOHN TILLER is an inspirational speaker and writer. He travels with his family to churches, conferences, and other events sharing their remarkable survival story. He enjoys real estate investing, serving at his home church, watching NFL and NASCAR, improving his 10K time, and hanging out with his family at their Powhatan, Virginia home. Connect with John via blog, Facebook, or Twitter.
JUSTIN WISE is the social strategist for Monk Development, builders of Ekklesia 360. A proud husband and dad, Justin and his family live in Des Moines, Iowa. When not running, reading, or cooking, find him blogging at JustinWise.net, online at Justin.am, or on Twitter.
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