I really love Jane Russell.

Here's to her family, her friends, her career and her beautiful life!

The True Power of Oscar

WHY AM I HERE?

Beyond the glitz and glamour and the who is wearing what and why, beyond the business, the promotions ($75,000 gift bag - I’m looking at you) and the who wins and loses are the deeply held stories and the lives that are shared with a global audience opening up doors of inspiration and shedding light on what we on the planet need to remember.

"Each of You Who Know The Joy of Freedom are Winners."

Gerda Weissmann Klein's Oscar® acceptance speech for the documentary "One Survivor Remembers" chronicling her six years living with the horror of Nazi encampment offers up an open hearted expression of grace.

“I have been in a place for six incredible years where winning meant a crust of bread and to live another day. Since the blessed day of my liberation I have asked the question why am I here? I am no better.”

The beauty in this survivor’s story and Gerda's sharing is that she reminds us in the face of outlasting unimaginable hardness and evil, there is open ness and there is Love.

"In my mind’s eye I see those years and faces of those who never lived to see the magic of a boring evening at home. On their behalf I want to thank you for honoring their memory. And you cannot do it in any better way than when you return to your homes tonight to realize that each of you who know the joy of freedom are winners. Thank you on their behalf with all my heart."

Forgiveness does not mean forgetting it means transforming the anger and releasing that which can no longer torture you. That which is in the past. Because it doesn’t exist and can no longer hurt you. It means honoring yourself, your history, and those who have touched your life by living yours in full emblem of the truest space of a Loving heart.

Freedom is the foundation of strength and joy and as Gerda so beautifully puts it, contains the magic of choice. The choice to spend a boring evening at home and to honor each other with Love. Something that should never be taken for granted.

When the sun breaks through the darkness of a new day we get to give thanks for the joys of freedom and abundance we do have and to extend love to those we encounter. If you are tempted by the blues, and we all are, it is part of the human condition, or drawn into believing in the fear, be gentle with yourself and remember we have all been given a choice, a choice to see the Love in whatever situation we find ourselves in. When you are loving to yourself the hurts and blues and depressions become bare-able, and when the question comes up "Why Am I Here?" one answer you can count on is to shine your light as brightly and lovingly as possible.

Like Richard Harris at the end of Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot (the musical retelling of the story of the legend of King Arthur, Guinevere and Lancelot) when realizing the battle is lost, pulls a young soldier from the battlefield to send him out into the world to tell the story of this place where freedom and joy and grace lived and breathed.

Ask every person if he’s heard the story
And tell it strong and clear if he has not
That once there was a fleeting wisp of glory called Camelot
Don’t let it be forgot
That once there was a spot
A brief and shining moment
For happy ever aftering
That was known as Camelot

We are here to extend Love on the planet. To act in Love and to be Loving. Nothing more is required. As this years Oscar awards© fade into memory let us remember together the part each of us plays in our own award winning dramas.

With the proliferation of technology and the advancement of weaponry to destroy it is clear there is one path through... Remembering the truth. Peace is your responsibility and Love Remains the Answer.

“One resists the invasion of armies; one does not resist the invasion of ideas.”

-- Victor Hugo from his History of Crime “

Leave the past behind and open up to different thinking; where peaceful ideas are our imagination's new army.

Watch Gerda's acceptance speech here...



youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zn-fPM4KS0

Excerpted from Melanie Lutz presents Love Land.

Melanie Lutz is an award winning screenwriter, author and all around magnificent woman. Her upcoming book LOVE LAND is a collection of ideas to open your heart WITH LOVE. For more information check http://www.melanielutz.com/ and http://www.alwaysalice.com/

Oscar. Oscar. Oscar.

Even though its a little rainy in California we can still enjoy the glitz and glamour of LIFE Magazine's past parade of Oscar photos....

Coming Soon.

For the next 100 Days... from Melanie Lutz on Vimeo.

New Reading.

(working it out)

Check back for ongoing readings and more about the editing process for Vanessa by the Sea...

The sign of universally fabulous lyrics...

is that they work in any setting, for any circumstance....



To quote the Rolling Stones “you can’t always get what you want … but if you try sometimes you just might find you get what you need.”

Did you ever have one of those moments...

Where it all comes together. Where what you have been looking for arrives and in a completely shocking and unbelievably perfect way.

After meeting with a particularly hip sensationally fabulous artist to discuss creative direction for my feature film The Jazz Train -- an idea sparked, I remembered a conversation I had with a community organizer in San Francisco about his favorite musical performer, funk soul force of nature Betty Davis. Thanks again to the fabulous YOUTUBE and its collection of collectors, music lovers and kindred spirits a collection of Album covers set to the perfect song was waiting for us, to inspire a visual picture giving birth to imagery lighting up the words on the page of script poured over and imagined, now becoming a reality!

Check out the fabulously eclectic Betty Davis, the second wife of Miles Davis.  For me, this is the beginning, a reference point to begin the character development sketching and story boarding for a particularly complicated musical biography surrounding a fictional First Lady of Soul -- whose life was so big no one in her life could reconcile where and how she could fit into theirs.




Life is an ever unfolding cabaret like experience of being open to what floods into consciousness.

There is no almost about it....

Being in Love is one of the most enriching ways to look at life.

Growing up, James Taylor was an inspiration and a source of deeply connected resonating truth about the places and experiences that flooded my childhood. Here he is singing a song from the musical Brigadoon written by Alan J. Lerner and Frederick Lowe...



The beauty of a classic song, crafted with the perfection of purpose is that any artist can perform it and radiate their soulfulness.

The images of Valentine's Day in sunny LA yesterday were astounding, the hearts on display and in focus at every store, the huge lines at See's Candy, the empty fast food places (I guess McDonald's doesn't spell - Happy V-day!) the freeway entrance flower sellers, the spas filled up with people getting pampered, the streams of people leaving the drug stores I passed with flowers in their hands and hurried smiles on their faces, the crowd of singles in yoga class and filling up the pool and sauna laughing and carrying on a testament to honoring the spirit of the day.

lots of love today and everyday!

Melanie

Wishing You Love and Other Fabulousness -- Today and Everyday

Let's get out there and experience, express and receive all the love in the air!

lots of love,
Melanie

Dogs and People need LOVE LAND!

Special Edition of Love Land sent off message in a bottle style...

HAPPY MORE LOVE DAY!!

going with Louise Hay Today! -- I choose to allow all my experiences to be joyous and loving. --

What a beautiful experience getting to create a special edition of LOVE LAND for the ladies of AMP EXPERIENCE. The With Love event was a delightful expression of beauty and grace. I look forward to the ongoing unfolding of the amazing process that is sharing my work in this -- with Love.

#LoveLand101

 

Make today the Best day of your Life!

Bernie Brillstein was one of my heroes and while he passed away in 2008 his wisdom and grace lives on...

It's not always the bottom line but what's at the bottom of your heart.

Do something for the thrill of it all, not for the thrill of having it all.

When your time has come, success will find you.

Call people to check in.

You don't really need an excuse to write or cal or send a gift. In the end, you can do it for no reason at all.

Take the love you can get as you get it.

There are no rules for the rules. The real test is living day to day.

Have an opinion - even if it is wrong.

In business as in life the little stuff matters most.

Accept who you are, and use it to your advantage - especially if it is a negative perception.

Take today to live life to its fullest, basking in the sunshine of a delightful day!

*Excerpted from The Little Stuff Matters.

A Mel Self Portrait

 I am Cecilia and Thelma’s Grand Daughter

I am Louise’s Daughter

I am Melanie Lutz

I write

by looking at the world in a different way,
never seeing problems only opportunities

for people who want to live in the truth

in a world that longs for authenticity

revealing the simplicity of love

in an era looking to transform

I am a Magnificent Woman

writing. ideas. inspiration.

www.iamamagnificentwoman.com

The Sun is Shining

"Forget your troubles come on get happy!"

So interesting -- someone who struggled with their own personal peace mind would be such a magnetic conduit for this message. "Get Happy" was written by Harold Arlen (who also wrote Somewhere Over the Rainbow) and Ted Koehler.

Sung here by Ms. Garland in her last musical for MGM - Summer Stock...



The art of the performer to use their instrument to deliver a message they may or may not be able to take in, never ceases to astound me.

Here she is again interwoven with Happy Days Are Here Again and Streisand by her side.

Salute! Bravo!

Congratulations to a long and beautiful and ground breaking career Ms. Streisand....

Grammy preview: MusiCares to honor Barbra Streisand Friday Tony Bennett, Stevie Wonder and the cast of 'Glee' are among the stars who will perform the singer's hits at the benefit, where Streisand will be lauded for her 'creative accomplishments and philanthropy.'

February 08, 2011|By Susan King, Los Angeles Times

She's recording a new album and getting ready to star in a remake of the musical "Gypsy," but Barbra Streisand isn't too busy to be honored this week by MusiCares, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences foundation that aids musicians in crisis.

"I love musicians," she explains. "I love people who create music, play music, sing music — whatever. It is a very unified profession. We admire each other's work."

here's a past tribute from the Kennedy Center Honors...

Check her on the Grammy's this weekend!

smiles,
Melanie

A teeny tiny prayer

May your soul be full of joy and your heart leap and spark at the sheer thrill of discovery.

Make today the Best day of your Life!

Today's reminder to make today count was written by Erma Bombeck in 1979 when she was 52.

If I had my life to live over...

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television-and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love you's." More "I'm sorry's"

...But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back.

Stop sweating the small stuff. Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what. Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with. And what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally, as well as spiritually.

Life is too short to let it pass you by. We only have one shot at this and then it's gone. I hope you all have a blessed day.

Powerful reminder about how to embrace each day with grace and joy and openness to the miracle of each moment.

A teeny tiny Prayer

May your soul be full of joy and your life ignite in ways you never dreamed possible.

With Infinite Love and Gratitude

SUPER CHARGE YOUR CREATIVITY - WITH LOVE

Love ignites the soul and offers the ultimate in creative unfolding allowing us to get beyond surface realities into explosive effortless output. It is quite simple -- open your heart, blow the doors off that is in you but not of you and watch your work explode with red hot aliveness.

Look at it this way...

There is a garden growing and flourishing brilliantly within the ground of your being utilizing divine intelligence symbiotically blossoming in service to the highest expression of who you are. This garden is nourished by Love.

In the preface to Emanuel Swedenborg’s Divine Love and Wisdom the Latin Translator of the text talks about the sketch of a Roman Garden that adorned the title page of each of Swedenborg’s books under the phrase Cura Et Labore "with care and work." The image of a beautiful garden with a cherub like Angel watering the plants tending to the well loved garden's growth and harmony strikes to the core of any process. 

It is a reminder of the wisdom and grace that exists when discipline is applied to commitment in realizing the fruits of our labor. It represents the opportunity for us to make manifest the joys of a life fully lived in divine Love. When we enrich each moment with care and work, making conscious choices. Free of the energies that keep us bound. We allow nature to take its course in harmony without calling out the struggle, we effortlessly step into the full beauty of existence.

Love allows you to get out of your own damn way so everything can flow and in utilizing a powerful discipline of love you motivate your mojo by keeping your essence clear and inoculated from the interference that comes from unloving, disruptive thoughts and unrecognized beliefs.

Every moment can represent change. Every moment can bring new possibilities. It is an endlessly abundant and limitless universe. Peace is a practice. Courage means staying open and Love is all there is.  It's a great reminder that we can all own that goddess place within... with no apologies.

Here are five LOVE YOU (for life) tips from the heart to move into that garden of your being where your creativity flourishes, naturally and in an effortless endless flow.

LIVE IN INFINITE LOVE AND GRATITUDE

practice opening your heart in every moment, opening beyond what you can see, opening into the space of your ultimate creative gifts.

 CARE DON’T CARRY

 

listen without the need to do anything – be loving taking nothing on -- staying open to what wants to be born.

HEAR OR HEAL 

do I need to deeply receive this message being delivered or is this something I need to heal within my heart?

LOVE ALL YOUR EMOTIONS 

Every feeling and emotion is welcome. Breathe into them.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE OUT THERE -- SO MAKE SURE TO LOVE EVERYONE

know you are not alone, you are not alone in your feelings, you are not alone in your joy, you are not alone in your creativity, every thought, feeling, energy you’ve felt — we’ve all been there.

Cultivate this garden of your being by washing your efforts and your life with loving thought and take advantage of this super charged energy of your inner power.

Melanie Lutz is an award winning screenwriter and all around inspirational guru. Check out her latest work LOVE LAND (ideas to open your heart) WITH LOVE.

 click here

Give Birth to New Possibilities

See things in a new way...

What!?!

Family!

There is a song from Meredith Wilson's THE MUSIC MAN that is set in Iowa with the following lyric...

"There's nothing half way about the Iowa way to treat when we great you (which we may not do at all)
A special chip on your shoulder attitude that we are never without.
We're so by gone stubborn we can stand touching noses for a week at a time and never see eye to eye..."
Go Iowa!