* Leadership
* Productivity
* Publishing
* Social Media
* Resources
* Miscellany

* Get Updates Via RSS
* Get Updates Via Email
* Follow Me On Twitter
* Follow Me On Facebook
* Connect With Me On LinkedIn
* Recommend Me On Stumbleupon
* Watch Me On YouTube

37
The Butterfly Circus

How you see yourself is important. How you see others is equally important. We often underestimate how much our perceptions shape both realities.

Recently, someone on Twitter posted a link to a short video, The Butterfly Circus. It won First Place in the “2009 Door Post Film Festival.” It’s only 20 minutes, but it packs a powerful punch.

ADVERTISEMENT
Leadership and Influence Summit—Free Online Event Featuring 25+ Leading Experts Sharing How to Maximize Leadership and Influence Effectiveness. Sign up today!

Rather than ruin the story for you—and the impact—I encourage you to find a time to watch this film. It would great to watch it with your family or your team at work. I recommend that you click on this link and watch it full screen. Enjoy!
Question: What did you take away from the movie?
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
WestBow Press
You might also like:
On Discipline
Creating an Annual Time Block
What Will They Say When You Are Dead?
12 Strategies for Leadership Success
Leadership: Control vs. Influence

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Posted on January 21, 2010

* In: Leadership
* Tags: Greatness, Leadership, Perception, Reality, Self-Esteem

« Finding the Courage to Speak Up
Six Ways to Take a Micro-Sabbatical »

Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are snarky, offensive, or off-topic. If in doubt, read My Comments Policy.
Loading comments…

Problems loading Disqus?
Like Dislike

*

Community
Disqus

* About Disqus

Glad you liked it. Would you like to share?

Facebook

Twitter

* Share
* No thanks

Sharing this page …

Thanks! Close
Add New Comment

Optional: Login below.

*
*
*
*
*
*

Post as …
Showing 33 comments
Sort by Subscribe by email Subscribe by RSS
Real-time updating is enabled. (Pause)
0 new comments were just posted. Show

*

Dan [Moderator] 10 months ago
Mike…this is an amazing short with a great message. Saw this as part of the judging in the festival and it also has one of “our” Hermie voice talents featured in a supporting role, Melissa Disney. It’s an incredible reminder of how we view people on the exterior and make snap judgements.
My recent post Kids and Social Networking…. Good or Bad? Pt1
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

Michael Hyatt [Moderator] 10 months ago in reply to Dan
Thanks for pointing that out. I didn’t realize Melissa was in it.
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

KNicholls [Moderator] 10 months ago
Wow I have to say I’m just about speechless after watching this. What an amazing lesson in perceptions and how they impact us. It is a reminder, for me, that we not only need to believe in ourselves, but also in others. Thank you for sharing this, it was a wonderful way to start my day.
My recent post Tools of the Trade
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

Michael Hyatt [Moderator] 10 months ago in reply to KNicholls
Isn’t it amazing that a mere 20-minute video can have such a powerful impact. I really, really believe in this format.
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

Diane Owens [Moderator] 10 months ago
I debated about taking 20 minutes to watch this now, and I’m so glad I did because later I probably would have forgotten. So powerful–thank you so much for sharing, Michael! The line that struck me the most: “The greater the struggle, the more glorious the triumph.” A good thing to keep in mind when God asks us to do the seemingly impossible.
My recent post My Biggest Fear
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

Michael Hyatt [Moderator] 10 months ago in reply to Diane Owens
I can totally relate. I literally had it queued up for a week before I finally got around to watching it. I only wish that I had watched it earlier!
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

Carol york [Moderator] 10 months ago
What I took away: We tend to see people as a sum or their past, and not a possibility of their future. That is terrible, and does not reflect Christ’s love for the least of these…I am challenged to take a fresh look at the people that I see as only a sum of their past or my history with them.
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

Michael Hyatt [Moderator] 10 months ago in reply to Carol york
Absolutely. It reminded me of 1 Samuel 16:7: “For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (NKJV)
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

Cindy_Graves [Moderator] 10 months ago
My take-away(s)…

Limitations are sometimes blessings. You don’t waste time weeding out your “options” – you just do what you were created to do.

What we believe about ourselves is not the truest thing about us. What God says about us is the only thing that matters.

Powerful flim. I can’t wait to share it!
My recent post The Sweet By and By, Sara Evans with Rachel Hauck
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

Angela M Bryant [Moderator] 10 months ago
This movie mines the deep longings in all of us; the courage to step out of the hole of the past, to jump into what God has put in front of us and to freely live the life He has planned. It brought back forgotten emotions from childhood when my father brought me to a “freak show” at the circus. I remember being disturbed and longing for a better life for them. Thank you for posting it. I feel I have been set free as well.
My recent post Five Frustrations Turning to Encouragement
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

Michael Hyatt [Moderator] 10 months ago in reply to Angela M Bryant
It was also a big reminder to me of how much power each of us have in what we believe about other people and the potential we see in them. Our belief can make a huge difference!
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

Jack Hager [Moderator] 10 months ago
Wow. Gee, I wonder if there might be spiritual applications? Take away…”the greater the struggle, the more glorious the triumph.”
My recent post It’s All in the Emphasis
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

Michael Hyatt [Moderator] 10 months ago in reply to Jack Hager
That was my favorite quote from the film.
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

Thanh [Moderator] 10 months ago
Inspiration!!
My recent post That Dark Side of Personal Development
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

Tiffany Stuart [Moderator] 10 months ago
Thank you for sharing this film. It touched the deepest places of my heart. I’m sharing it on my blog, Facebook and Twitter now.
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

patriciazell [Moderator] 10 months ago
Michael, thanks for posting this. I am going to show it to my students tomorrow (and hope I can keep from tearing up). So many of my kids come from troubled homes and live in a world full of alcohol, drugs, and sex–they have no real concept of being successful. I try to give them as many opportunities to shine as possible. I believe this movie will speak to them, and I covet your prayers for them.
My recent post #27 BECOMING A SON OF GOD: INTRODUCTION
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

Cheryl Pickett [Moderator] 10 months ago
Just wanted to say that after a relatively lousy day at work this was such a refreshing breath. From the acting to the filming to of course, the story line, it’s one of the best things I’ve seen in quite a while. Thank you for sharing it. We need more stuff like this.
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

Cara [Moderator] 10 months ago
I’ve found myself in William’s “shoes” out on that hill of rocks many times in my life. I get so comfortable within my own limitations that I somehow feel everyone else should meet me right there at the front of my limitations. And when they won’t meet me there, I throw my hands up at them and say ‘what is your problem?’. Pushing my limitations onto them. Until someone, like the circus master, comes along and lets me meet my limitation face-to-face and let me fall right no my face. I flail in panic and anger and ‘how could they’. Then I realize it wasn’t their fault at all. My limitations were all within my own mind and self. What a powerful movie. I rarely get 20 minutes to myself, I’m glad I spent it here. Thanks.
My recent post Weight loss newsletters…
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

bpierce [Moderator] 10 months ago
What a wonderful video. The actor without limbs by the way is an amazing Christian. Check out this brief video in which he gives his testimony.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DxlJWJ_WfA
Attached files
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

Michael Hyatt [Moderator] 10 months ago in reply to bpierce
I watched all of Nick’s online videos about a year ago. They blew me away. He is one amazing guy. He kind of takes all of our excuses away!
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

Tim Sanchez [Moderator] 10 months ago
Thank you for sharing. Fantastic to see a courageous man like Nick Vujicic getting more exposure.
——
Our hearts shape our attitudes. Our attitudes shape our actions. Our actions shape our lives. Our lives shape our children.

Start with your heart. Start your day with God.
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

Angela M Bryant [Moderator] 10 months ago
I’m rarely short on words, but tonight I am. This film put an exclamation point on God’s words to me today, from morning til midnight. “The greater the struggle, the more glorious the triumph.” Thanks, Mike.
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

John Richardson [Moderator] 10 months ago
What a powerful message. It just shows the God given gifts many of us take for granted. I have hands… I can write. I have arms… I can reach out. I have legs… I can take a message to the world. Here was a man who had none of those and yet communicated so much. Thank you for sharing!
My recent post The Elephant In The Room
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

Juan [Moderator] 10 months ago
Mike -

Thanks for your post- certainly a great movie – The greatest the challenges the better the opportunity to make GREAT things in life.

Everyone of us has something great within ourselves we just need to believe it.

Thanks
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

David [Moderator] 10 months ago
Thank you. Very moving and encouraging to “not lose heart” ala 2 Cor 4:16-18
My recent post How to view failure as a Christian
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

David [Moderator] 10 months ago
I didn’t put my most recent post there–it just showed up!
My recent post How to view failure as a Christian
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

Pichisme [Moderator] 19 hours ago
Just in time for the holidays.. The Butterfly Circus DVD’s are now available!!! Visit our new website http://www.thebutterflycircus.com for exciting updates and to purchase other Butterfly Circus products.
Flag
Like Reply Reply
*

Pichisme [Moderator] 19 hours ago
Hi,
Just wanted to thank you for seeing The Butterfly Circus. We wanted to let you know, that the Butterfly Circus DVD’s are now available!!! Please visit our new website http://www.thebutterflycircus.com for exciting updates on the upcoming feature and to purchase other Butterfly Circus products.

Thank you!
Butterfly Circus Team