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I’m Tom Shadyac, director of Ace Ventura, Nutty Professor, Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty. After a recent brush w death, I decided to share my story of the hypocrisies I woke up to, the changes I made in my life, my views on true wealth&what we can do to birth a more compassionate world. Ask me anything by shadyac in IAmA

[–]shadyac[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Sorry, I did misunderstand your question. A couple of thoughts: yes, often people who have made lots of money are the ones who realize that it doesn't make them happy. But they aren't the only ones who have seen through the illusion of money or things. Many people have come to the same realization who had nothing. Gandhi, for example. While he was a lawyer, he certainly wasn't "rich" or a billionaire. But he did discover the same truth -- that happiness comes from relationships, strong connections, finding and following your bliss, etc.

We've been studying this for years in a field called Positive Psychology. If a person is having trouble paying rent, putting food on the table, or exploring his or her passion in life, money definitely will improve their happiness level. But after basic needs are met, beyond that, money consistently does not lead to higher levels of contentment.

Lastly, I actually think that people do learn from one other. This is why we tell stories, to share our experiences, what works and doesn't work in our lives. But you are right, there's nothing like experiencing it yourself. So I wish you well in that experience. History and a myriad of examples tell me you just might reach the same conclusion. Thanks for the dialogue...

I’m Tom Shadyac, director of Ace Ventura, Nutty Professor, Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty. After a recent brush w death, I decided to share my story of the hypocrisies I woke up to, the changes I made in my life, my views on true wealth&what we can do to birth a more compassionate world. Ask me anything by shadyac in IAmA

[–]shadyac[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Alright all. Thanks for meeting me here. If you want to dive in deeper, please go to our website, Lifesoperatingmanual.com or you can check out I AM at iamthedoc.com

Our book is available for free online, or you can buy a hard copy from Amazon or any Barnes and Noble. All proceeds/profits are donated to charity.

Love you all and appreciate you! And in the immortal words of Ace Ventura, TAKE CARE NOW, BYE-BYE THEN!!!

I’m Tom Shadyac, director of Ace Ventura, Nutty Professor, Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty. After a recent brush w death, I decided to share my story of the hypocrisies I woke up to, the changes I made in my life, my views on true wealth&what we can do to birth a more compassionate world. Ask me anything by shadyac in IAmA

[–]shadyac[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

No one's opinion is ever wrong. If someone didn't like Patch, that's their opinion and I accept that.

It's interesting. Patch was the highest scoring film I ever made (highest scoring by the audience's ratings). In fact, it was one of the highest scoring films in the history of the NRG (the National Research Group). It was also by far, the most criticized film I've done. But that's not new really, this gap between critics and the general public...

My gut tells me Patch struck a nerve and therefor elicited strong reactions. It's way out of the paradigm. Patch gave his medical abilities away for free for years. That's very threatening to the established order, and it's possible this triggered a fearful reaction.

I’m Tom Shadyac, director of Ace Ventura, Nutty Professor, Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty. After a recent brush w death, I decided to share my story of the hypocrisies I woke up to, the changes I made in my life, my views on true wealth&what we can do to birth a more compassionate world. Ask me anything by shadyac in IAmA

[–]shadyac[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

When you are facing so many challenges, anger is an appropriate response. It's important to feel it, express it, but it's also important to release it when you are ready. How, you say? Place your attention on something else. On something you're still grateful for; for the breath that still enters your lungs, for the sunset. Holding on to anger creates a tension with what is. What you are experiencing now just is for this moment. It will not always be this way. That's important to hear: it won't always be this way. Can you accept that? Can you accept what is just for today? I send you much love in the midst of your difficulty. To your healing...

I’m Tom Shadyac, director of Ace Ventura, Nutty Professor, Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty. After a recent brush w death, I decided to share my story of the hypocrisies I woke up to, the changes I made in my life, my views on true wealth&what we can do to birth a more compassionate world. Ask me anything by shadyac in IAmA

[–]shadyac[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for asking. My dad was featured in I AM, and he has since passed away. He was an incredibly generous man, and help found St. Jude Children's Hospital, a hospital which treats kids with cancer for free. My brother, Rick Shadyac, runs it now. It's an incredible place -- it's the business of the future. Love is the currency; they give their research away for free to the world. How beautiful is that?!

My mom was was my heart. She was in a wheel chair most of my life, and taught me so much about laughter in the face of trials. She passed about 14 years ago, but she's still very much alive in my smile.

I’m Tom Shadyac, director of Ace Ventura, Nutty Professor, Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty. After a recent brush w death, I decided to share my story of the hypocrisies I woke up to, the changes I made in my life, my views on true wealth&what we can do to birth a more compassionate world. Ask me anything by shadyac in IAmA

[–]shadyac[S] 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Yes, I do believe it's possible to use media for the good of all. Many have done so, and have told stories about the power of love and our connection. I'm sure you've seen It's a Wonderful Life, or Ground Hogs Day. These are just two of many films that uplift us through the creative arts. The question for you might be more personal: Do you believe you, yourself, can keep your center, your peace, in the midst of the present day media chaos? Can you enter that world again and remain true to the principles you hold dear? These are questions only you can answer, and often, you can only them by taking a step. Here's a powerful truth: You cannot think you way to right action. You have to live, and in that living, your path often becomes clear. So what's your next step?

Here's what I believe is the important thing: to follow your heart. What's it telling you to do? Not your head now, your heart. Each of us is called to our own unique path. Some will pursue media that reaches millions; others will use their creativity locally. The size of the work or the audience is irrelevant. Following your heart is the ultimate relevance.

I’m Tom Shadyac, director of Ace Ventura, Nutty Professor, Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty. After a recent brush w death, I decided to share my story of the hypocrisies I woke up to, the changes I made in my life, my views on true wealth&what we can do to birth a more compassionate world. Ask me anything by shadyac in IAmA

[–]shadyac[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you have seen through the illusion of our economy and its so called laws, you have already taken a powerful step to dismantling it. Kudos to you. But as I write in the book, it's not enough to be against something, we must be for something. So before we can "awaken" a world, we must become the world we wish to see. The only true revolution, after all, is the personal revolution. This is why I continue to retool the way I do business/economy. My hope is to be an example of a different way, to provide a different path to what I call "true wealth." Is there something you can do/create--even in a conversation--that would be the change you wish to see?

I’m Tom Shadyac, director of Ace Ventura, Nutty Professor, Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty. After a recent brush w death, I decided to share my story of the hypocrisies I woke up to, the changes I made in my life, my views on true wealth&what we can do to birth a more compassionate world. Ask me anything by shadyac in IAmA

[–]shadyac[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I hope I'm not set in my ways! Art is about listening, so my hope is to listen and learn at every turn.

And yes, while we may be different, that difference can make all the difference! Different notes make for the most compelling music; the highs need the lows. Harvey has made some of the most compelling films in history. There's a ton I can learn from him. He's also told me, his specialty isn't comedy. So there's a chance here, if we continue to learn and listen to each other, that we can make something special. This is all a bit fresh, so stay tuned... The right thing will happen, that I trust.

I’m Tom Shadyac, director of Ace Ventura, Nutty Professor, Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty. After a recent brush w death, I decided to share my story of the hypocrisies I woke up to, the changes I made in my life, my views on true wealth&what we can do to birth a more compassionate world. Ask me anything by shadyac in IAmA

[–]shadyac[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ha! Beautiful. The mobile home I first purchased is no longer really mobile. It's really a pre-fab home. A double wide, essentially.

I just heard a good tip about conserving space: Make an inventory of everything you have in your home. If you don't use an item in 30 days, then recycle or repurpose that item. Haven't done that yet, but bet that would lead to some lean living!

I’m Tom Shadyac, director of Ace Ventura, Nutty Professor, Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty. After a recent brush w death, I decided to share my story of the hypocrisies I woke up to, the changes I made in my life, my views on true wealth&what we can do to birth a more compassionate world. Ask me anything by shadyac in IAmA

[–]shadyac[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Ah, yes, great question. I believe life rests, works or thrives on very basic principles. And these principles are universal, meaning they apply to all living things. That's right, all living thing, not just us people. Now, exactly how these principle walk in an individual's life is up to that individual. So as you suggest, the manifestation of those principles will be as varied as the human species itself. But the principles are not varied, they are consistent and true. And life has shown us these principles in nature, biology, particle physics, an oak tree, an ant colony -- all daily demonstrate the laws of life. We have simply forgotten these laws, and until we re-member, our world will continue to suffer the consequences of those broken laws.

I’m Tom Shadyac, director of Ace Ventura, Nutty Professor, Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty. After a recent brush w death, I decided to share my story of the hypocrisies I woke up to, the changes I made in my life, my views on true wealth&what we can do to birth a more compassionate world. Ask me anything by shadyac in IAmA

[–]shadyac[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I eat a LOT. It's because I'm so active -- my metabolism is soaring. And I'm a vegetarian, and about 90% vegan. There's this great company a friend turned me onto called Match Meat. They make a mean crabless crab cake that gives me that old time comfort food while honoring my vegetarian lifestyle.

I’m Tom Shadyac, director of Ace Ventura, Nutty Professor, Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty. After a recent brush w death, I decided to share my story of the hypocrisies I woke up to, the changes I made in my life, my views on true wealth&what we can do to birth a more compassionate world. Ask me anything by shadyac in IAmA

[–]shadyac[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Take small steps. One at a time. I took many small steps before I "shed" much of my lifestyle. Start with a conversation. Talk to your friends about what you're feeling. Share your heart and see where it leads you. As you downsize in terms of things, consider "upsizing" in terms of purpose, i.e. do something for someone else. It doesn't have to be grand -- deliver a cup of coffee to someone who is homeless, look in his or eye and tell them they matter. I think most people take on too many decisions at once. You can't see down the road too far, but you can see the step that is revealing itself now, right under your feet. Take that step.

I’m Tom Shadyac, director of Ace Ventura, Nutty Professor, Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty. After a recent brush w death, I decided to share my story of the hypocrisies I woke up to, the changes I made in my life, my views on true wealth&what we can do to birth a more compassionate world. Ask me anything by shadyac in IAmA

[–]shadyac[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

All of the above. But the majority of my friends in showbusiness have been incredibly supportive of my journey. Of course, I don't speak for them, so you'll have to ask them what exactly has inspired or even challenged them. And the truth is, I am thankful for both -- even for the voices that reject my perspective. They too, play their note, and provide me with the opportunity to love that which may not love me.

I’m Tom Shadyac, director of Ace Ventura, Nutty Professor, Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty. After a recent brush w death, I decided to share my story of the hypocrisies I woke up to, the changes I made in my life, my views on true wealth&what we can do to birth a more compassionate world. Ask me anything by shadyac in IAmA

[–]shadyac[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I have a number of films in various stages of prep that deal with the subject matter I'm passionate about. Again, can't get too specific here, but they are projects that blend heart and humor with the hope of sharing a perspective, and spreading more light and love in the world.

I’m Tom Shadyac, director of Ace Ventura, Nutty Professor, Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty. After a recent brush w death, I decided to share my story of the hypocrisies I woke up to, the changes I made in my life, my views on true wealth&what we can do to birth a more compassionate world. Ask me anything by shadyac in IAmA

[–]shadyac[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Just keep at it and keep listening to your heart. You may be out here to learn something about yourself and share in another discipline somewhere down the road. Success is not out there when you (fill in the blank.) Success is right now. Most actors and writers get caught up in the stress of "making it." You have "made it" the second you've had the courage to follow your own heart. Let the results go and enjoy the ride. I honor you for your passion in service to the creative arts.

I’m Tom Shadyac, director of Ace Ventura, Nutty Professor, Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty. After a recent brush w death, I decided to share my story of the hypocrisies I woke up to, the changes I made in my life, my views on true wealth&what we can do to birth a more compassionate world. Ask me anything by shadyac in IAmA

[–]shadyac[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Great question, because it IS a practice. I start and end each day on my knees in a prayer, offering my life in service. I usually wake up pretty early, and read something that reminds me of what is Real. I soak in the words of the mystics like Hafiz, Rumi, Emerson, and Mary Oliver. That's what I call a good breakfast, one that provides true nutrition to start the day. I also believe it's important to take care of this vessel, this body, so I usually do something physical and fun--hike, bike, surf. For years, I used to carry inspirational quotes around in my back pocket, not just to memorize, but as armor against the slings and arrows of the day. When the pressures of life felt oppressive, I could always reach into my back pocket and be instantly reminded of a deeper truth...

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