How to Keep Shining When You've Lost Your Mojo

Did you see the 2022 movie, "A Man Called Otto?"

It's a perfect example of someone in his 60s who closed his heart because of a major loss and change that often happens at that stage in life.

This movie was compelling. It stayed in my thoughts for several weeks.

I think it's because when we think we have lost what's most dear to us and we feel useless - we are wrong.

We still have gifts to share and we can STILL SHINE in our later years.

The movie stars the always brilliant actor Tom Hanks who plays a grumpy, 63-year-old retired engineer, Otto, who has emotionally shut down his already physically weak heart (from a pre-existing condition).

Devastated by and grieving deeply the recent death of his beloved wife of many years and feeling useless after being forced into retirement, Otto fails several times to commit suicide.

Otto initially rebuffs repeated attempts by his new neighbor, bubbly, persistent, and pregnant Marisol, to become friends, But Otto’s resolve to remain aloof and cranky weakens and he slowly starts to open his heart.

He develops a close friendship with Marisol and her family, befriends a transgender teen who had been a student of his wife, renews relationships with neighbors from whom he had become estranged, and even agrees to adopt a stray cat rescued by an allergic neighbor.

As Otto learns to allow people into his heart and love again, he uses his special mechanical gifts and skills to help his friends by fixing a car, repairing a bike chain, and even rescuing a man who had fallen onto a railroad track.

Although Otto’s pre-existing heart condition ultimately leads to his death after a few years, because he opened his heart, his last years were filled with joy, meaning, and purpose. He became a shining star.

Have you experienced a major loss or setback in your life? Even if it has caused you to lose your mojo and some of your sparkle, realize this. If you keep your heart open or re-open it and share your gifts with others, as did Otto, your life will continue to have meaning and you will always shine!