Ask yourself this question: how do I face my mistakes?

Humans make mistakes that cause immense devastation, tragedy and struggle. This is a reality of life.

The question is, what do you choose to do with this reality?

All of human experience results from choices that we make. In Living Whole, we consciously face our patterns of behavior which form the roots of human suffering: pain, fear and shame. When we are Living Whole, we see our errors as great teachers, affording us opportunities to learn.

When we learn, we grow

The artform of film uniquely rivets our attention on these Living Whole themes. Film draws us in, immersing us in stories that illustrate human error and tragedy. The more the story touches our hearts, the more opportunity we have to make choices that avoid mistakes in the future.

Films that depict tragedy and the process of recovery help us look at our own lives, offering us the chance to see how we can choose actions that fill our lives with hope and gratitude.

David Read poignantly illustrates these themes by bringing to film the story of a devastating explosion in Halifax Harbor in Nova Scotia, Canada.

David presents his research on the Halifax Explosion that occurred in the midst of World War I. On a cold December morning in 1917, two ships collided, setting off the largest man-made explosion in history prior to the advent of the atomic bomb.

Prepare yourself for an extraordinary film experience during which you will learn about a tragedy of epic proportions. It is an expression of beauty, professionalism and artistry, so well researched and presented with excellent photographs and maps, and gives you a detailed experience with a little-known, important tragedy. 

The series of films also focuses on the extraordinary medical response that the state of Massachusetts rendered to Halifax, resulting in a special gift that the people of Nova Scotia send to Boston each year.

David, who has ancestral roots in Nova Scotia, has for many years been learning about this history and gathering information about it. This film is a work of art, putting the story and the lessons to be learned into a film from which we can all gain great wisdom. 

Live With Facilitator Session with David:

After you watch the four films, take the opportunity to meet with David in a one-hour Live With Facilitator video conference to discuss the process of filmmaking...how you too can identify a story that you want to depict in film, learn to do research, organize materials, and preserve your story through the art form of film.

Facilitator

• David Read, MBA, MPH