Thank you, Frank.

I would like to acknowledge Frank Ferrante for:

1. Being a shining example of positive transformation.

2. Putting a great effort into health and love even when it was difficult.

3. Allowing his life to be transparent for the greater good.

4. Inspiring others to live their best and love their best.

4. Having the courage to be vulnerable and authentic.

5. Being a fantastic hugger.

Thank you, Frank. Who wouldn't want to hug a man wearing that shirt?!

Frank is the star of the film May I Be Frank, but he is not actor. I've written about this before but this is worth a repeat. He is a man who took a few million conscious steps forward to be a better person- healthier, happier, more compassionate, more aware, and more able to love himself. His transformation is documented in the film by Gregg Marks and the good people at Cafe Gratitude are his costars. All of them together creating a beautiful story that is an invitation to see potential. The potential of yourself, of reaching out to someone else, of teamwork, of life.

I saw this film for the first time a few months ago at a screening in Venice and it got me. When I heard it would be shown at the Wellness Film Festival at Agape in Culver City I just had to see it again, as a reminder of what I learned last time: that the rewards of positive change are worth the effort, love yourself no matter what, and of course that I get by with a little help from my friends. Seeing it the second time was just as moving. I've been feeling unusually unbalanced and uneasy the past couple of days and so it was nice to be in the grounding space the film creates.

With any relatable story what we all end up doing is projecting ourselves onto it. Frank's story is one with such human elements that I'm sure most people will see parts of themselves in it. I've learned that when something in a movie (or book or song) makes you cry or laugh or feel that resonance, it's a signal to yourself saying something here is significant in this moment, and that usually has to do with something to be learned. The first time I saw this film I saw most of my projections in his struggles with things like communication with his family, self doubt, buried emotions, and fatigue. This time, despite my more solemn mood I connected more with his success.

It's no coincidence that I felt this on the 9th anniversary of September 11th. When I look back on where I was nine years ago, I see my own transformation. On this day in 2001 I was just going through the motions at a job I hated, I was applying to Optometry school, and had a safe little plan of becoming an eye doctor, getting married, buying a house, and having kids. None of that happened. And not that anything was wrong with that plan, I was just not honoring my full potential or my true passions, and I was not happy. So I made a tremendous effort to change and I became a music therapist, singer/songwriter, musician, and business owner. I have travelled around the world nearly twice and met my biggest heros (I just had a nice laugh thinking about what I would say to myself if I could meet the Ami that existed on September 11,2001...... I would say, hey cheer up cause in three months you are gonna meet Dave Grohl, get your shit together!). it was rough at times. Rough, but worth it. Though I have my moody moments, I can say I am happy with my life right now, in fact I'm pretty blown away with this life I lead. Amazing.

So here are more projections. It's the qualities you most admire in others that you want to be known for also. So I acknowledge myself for the same things as Frank. After all, it takes two good huggers to make a good hug.

And even better I was able to buy the movie so I have a copy of it here, let's watch it and keep this going.....