It's a Wonderful Life (1946) Welcome to the first movie of the rest of your wonderful life. You can begin this book on any given day of the week or month. I have written it to coincide with the start of the New Year. The beginning of the New Year and birthdays are when most people are excited about life change. I need you excited to read this book for an entire year.

Our first movie, Frank Capra's classic tale of a man who desires a life greater than the one he has, is timeless. Maybe you have already seen this movie. Maybe you have seen most of the movies in this book. However, you have never seen them in the context of using them for life transformation. With that said, watch as a young James Stewart and Donna Reed, span 20 years to give you the best life lesson anyone could ask for to begin the New Year. Your life is perfect and wonderful; you just do not know it yet. As is the case with human behavior one must learn this lesson through experience. It would be great if you just took my word for it, but it never usually works that way.

George Bailey has begrudged his hometown of Bedford Falls for most of his life. George wants to travel the world and explore greater adventures than what awaits him in his father's business. Bailey Buildings and Loan is in the business of preserving the best of the town and the townspeople more than a business of profit. Watch as George learns the hard way, so you hopefully won't have to, that life's true currency exists in how well we treat people and ourselves on the way to getting where we're going. Enjoy the movie.

Take Action Steps: Every time I watch this movie I have tears in my eyes by the end. I am usually overwhelmed with emotions that span from great appreciation to a strong desire to get busy accomplishing things in my life. I am hoping you felt the same way. Your challenge for this week is a series of activities to begin your New Year. You are beginning on my Life Mastery plan, and it requires a few things to go smoothly.

1. Create a sacred space for yourself in your home. This place is to be your sanctuary, where you go to honor yourself and your dreams. It can be a room or a corner. I have a few spaces in my home dedicated to my solitude and peace of mind. My bathroom, meditation & prayer space, or my favorite spot to cuddle up with a book are all my sacred spaces. I am a person who believes in and lives an abundant life. If this is something you aspire to as well then use me as a model. To tap into the abundance of the world you have to have a system for blocking out the noise of the world. Your sacred space, be it a man cave or lady den, will spearhead your new self-value system.

2. Create a name or a theme for your life plan for the year. If you decide to do this program all over again next year, which is awesome and possible, you will create a new name for that new life plan. This is a necessary step in becoming a new creature. Just as the caterpillar becomes the butterfly with new name and all, you must do the same. You do not have to change your name every year; instead change the name of your life plan. My first life plan was entitled "Joe's Coming Out Party." If that makes you think of a cotillion, a quinceanera, or even 'coming out' to the world as a gay person then so be it. I chose this name because I needed to learn to live boldly. I also learned to step into my greatness without asking permission and to put an end to hiding.

I had a party where I introduced my new self to the world and used Diana Ross' song "I'm Coming Out" as my theme music. We are still talking about that party. The next year my title was, 'Not Your Average Joe.' At that time, my intention was to live the life of my dreams and to live it out loud without modesty. Again, a fabulous year filled with travel and events to rival any stable minded celebrity's life.

It may sound corny at first but trust me you will begin to love the name of your new life plan. I believe God will begin to show you these very words in the most peculiar spots. If you see a word or the whole title of your life plan in a magazine do not be surprised. Tear out that page, and know that God has just given you a stamp of approval to live your life as out loud as you desire.

3. As you probably guessed, the next step is to pick theme music for your journey. In the same concept of this book, music can be very inspirational and can support the paradigm shift that is required for life change. Imagine the theme song from Rocky, "Eye of the Tiger" and how you feel when you hear it. You may begin shadowboxing and punching the air as if you are indeed the champ in your life. Well that just sums up transformation, the act or process of transforming somebody or something, according to the Encarta Dictionary. Therefore, you want to pick a great song that takes you there in your mind. R. Kelly has two awesome songs to consider: "The World's Greatest" and "I Believe I can Fly." One song is from the movie Ali about the life of Muhammad Ali and the other is from Space Jam, a kid's movie starring Michael Jordan. If you do not think of these two athletes and think champion then a readjust of perspective is definitely needed. Pick a great song and listen to it on repeat for the rest of the week.

4. The last thing you need to jumpstart this process is a mantra or motto that sums up the best you can hope for your life. Hold this idea in your head, and it will carry you through the rough days that are bound to show up. Like the little engine that could, thinking you can is half the battle won. It can be a quote, a scripture, or it can be both. Take the phrase, write it down, or print it out. Next, I want you to tape it to your computer, bathroom mirror, or maybe your rearview mirror in your car. The purpose of it is to interrupt any stinking thinking that is bound to show up. The mantra will snap you back into what is to become your new reality.

Oftentimes we are not even cognizant of the negative self-talk that goes on in our own minds. George Bailey had to see what life would be like if he was never born. He learned to value everything he had once he lost it all. This is a new time in society and life. Information comes to us by way of technology at lightning speed. Knowledge of Self is the last frontier we as humans must conquer. Loss no longer has to be the precursor to wisdom. Know in this moment that you do have a wonderful life. If you will use these four tools I have given you to block out noise pollution inside and outside of your mind, you can begin to believe this as well. Therefore, in the spirit of our first movie I will leave you with an example of a great quote that sums up George Bailey's experience, "To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world." Enjoy your week.

The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) this book is all about taking action to transform your life. I have included some great action films to keep you engaged for the whole year. One of my favorites stars Geena Davis as the action star and Samuel L. Jackson as the sidekick. He never disappoints with his acting performances. Samuel L. Jackson is often at his most memorable in a supporting role. He was born to steal the limelight. Geena Davis plays a dual role to perfection as Samantha/Charley, and she is not to be taken lightly in either.

Samantha is a suburban mom with amnesia. She hires Mitch, played by Samuel L. Jackson, the private investigator, to help her piece her life back together. Charley is the spy that wants to 'come in from the cold' amidst gunfire and terrorism. This is easily one of the best action pictures ever, and what is even better is that the hero is hot mama, Geena Davis.

In the movie, she experiences every person's dilemma from time to time, how good can I allow myself to get? Can I be strong and capable without being perceived as over bearing and intimidating? Are words like soft spoken, likeable, and domestic synonymous with weak? If the safety of the world is on the line then the world needs you at your absolute powerful best. Power is not as cookie cutter as we have been led to believe. The Long Kiss Goodnight will be great entertainment for you amidst all your hard work. Sit back, relax, and let a strong woman save the world, which is how it is meant to be anyway. Enjoy the movie.

Take Action Step: Your task for this week is to go out and save the world, your world of course. What you may find interesting to know is that this movie is what inspired me to write this book. The line uttered by Mitch grabbed me and would not let go, "I [haven't accomplished] one thing in my life, not one, that takes skill." In the movie, Mitch decides he is tired of working hard at being less than great and decides to do something of meaning. He winds up helping Sam save the world. That is what I want you to do this week. Go out and save the world by saving yourself first.

I believe humans are made in the image of God as creatures of purpose and action. We have evolved into our present society because progression will not be hindered by laziness and ignorance. Your challenge for the week is to write a résumé to God applying for your new life. What are your strengths? What are your skills and education? Do you have any weaknesses? What does your work history look like, and what is your objective? What do you plan to bring to the company called life? Are you a candidate for hire, or do you need to go and brush up on your training to get this job called living?

God has the best training program, and the benefits package is unmatched. Your salary is determined by your efforts. Give 49% and the Universe will gift to you the other 51%. God always does the heavy lifting for us. All you have to do, based on what you witnessed in the movie, is decide. Decide that you are going to work just as hard at becoming something as you have to not. The energy is the same. In our 'get what you want now and pay for it later' society there really is not anything you cannot do if you make up your mind to do it. Iyanla Vanzant says that a child of God with a made up mind is unstoppable. I agree.

Write your résumé in your workbook and update it as needed. See what you have been and can still become. Once you have it on paper ask yourself, "Am I living up to my potential?" Would you hire you? Would you trust you with your money? Would you want to date you let alone depend on you to save the world? Remember what you write down in that workbook will essentially become your curriculum. Write down what you are willing to experience or see change. If you are not living up to your potential then keep reading this book. If you are then put this book down, and go save the world. Enjoy your week.

G. I. Jane (1997) is a movie starring Demi Moore as Jordan O'Neil, a female officer in the military. O'Neil wants to become one of the elite Navy SEALS albeit an impossible task since a woman has never been part of this illustrious team.

G. I. Jane also stars Viggo Mortensen in a role that rivals Louis Gossett Jr. in An Officer and a Gentleman, one of my favorite movies of all time. I know I give shout outs to many movies that did not make 'the list.' I am a movie buff for life. I love them so much that they have become part of my everyday vernacular. Feel free to just create a separate 'must see' list. If at any time I refer to a movie you have not yet seen, write the names down in the misc. section in the back of your notebook.

Anne Bancroft, Morris Chestnut, and Jim Caviezel also give great support to this cast. To play the role of a Navy SEAL candidate, Demi Moore shaved her head and altered her physique and mannerisms to become the character of Jordan O'Neil. The theme of transformation will be exhausted for this book. I know firsthand what obstacles lay in waiting for someone who decides to change the trajectory of his or her life. Enemies and supporters show up in the most unlikely places. Because of that fact, you must prepare yourself both physically and mentally. Now you will not have to shave your head ... this week, but a few sit-ups might do you some good. After watching this movie, you may find it hard to distinguish between what is possible and what is not. That is just what I want to happen. Enjoy the movie.

Take Action Steps: Your challenge for this week is to get on the floor and do some one-arm pushups, just kidding. Oddly enough, you may prefer the pushups to this task.

In the movie, G. I. Jane, you saw Demi Moore's character possessed the tenacity, discipline, and willpower to become what she desired. Once given the opportunity she jumped on it. When her physicality became the barrier, she altered herself to meet the challenge. So what almost stopped her? It was what the young generation now refers to as 'the haters.' Not yet in the traditional dictionary but stay tuned, it will be. My definition of a hater is this: a person who witnesses someone else trying to accomplish a goal and after seeing their progress or success feels tinges of jealousy that cause them to revert to sabotage in the form of slander, dissuasion, and mockery.

Your task for the week is to learn from the character's own momentary naiveté and acknowledge that you may have some haters in your own life. As for me, there are some people that after identifying them as haters, I have had to eject them from my life. At the very least, I know that when I am around them I need to put on my super strong spiritual armor. So pull out your workbook, and draw a line down the middle of a page. On the left you want to list the people (I pray it is a short list) who are naysayers in your life. Write down the names of people who have made you feel foolish when you have shared a dream. Write down the name of the person who overlooks your accomplishments as if they are no big deal. How about the people who have made you feel worse after you have made a mistake, they are haters.

When my daughter was turning one, I wanted to give her an awesome first birthday party. While in the grocery store, I lost my wallet with all my money and all my identification. After searching the store three times, the parking lot, the car, retracing my steps, and getting help from a security guard with my search, I called my mother. Crying and holding my baby, I told her what happened, and she in turn told me how stupid I was. As I listened to my mother berate me, which I have since learned is, for whatever reason, her favorite pastime activity; I looked over at my daughter smiling and laughing at the faces the security guard was making at her. A sense of calm knowing came over me, and I thought to myself, "I haven't lost anything; the baby is right here in my arms; what else matters." I hung up on my mother, left the store and took my baby to the park.

Unfortunately, my mother is one of my biggest haters. Most fortunately, it did not take me a lifetime to figure this out. She is no longer a person I share my goals and dreams with. In the moments of weakness when I want to test the proverbial waters and see if we have a normal mother and daughter relationship, I will tell her a thing or two and find that the best thing I can do with her comments is to take it as reverse advice. Put haters in their place, on the outside of your inner circle.

On the right side of the page, you are going to do the opposite, and write down the names of your supporters, the people who have been good to you, had your back, and picked you up when you fell without judgment. These people are what I lovingly call 'your group.' On the road to success, it is very important to know who is in your group and who should not be in your group and to act accordingly. Once everyone is identified, you may need to set new boundaries or have some confrontations. In addition, you may need to show some love and appreciation to the people in your group. If your only success in life is to show gratitude to your group then it has been a wonderful life indeed.