Issue 71 - Reinvention

Welcome to Issue 71 of Deep Life Reflections, where I share five things I’ve been enjoying and thinking about over the past week.

In this week’s issue, we explore the theme of growth and reinvention. We begin with Arthur C. Brooks’ insights on finding success and purpose in the second half of life from his best-selling book, From Strength to Strength. Continuing this theme, we revisit one of Hollywood’s strangest stories through Tim Burton's 1994 biopic, Ed Wood, about a man famously labeled ‘The Worst Director of All Time.’ We reflect on the importance of relationships and community in discovering renewed purpose and treading the imperfect paths we sometimes have to take.

Join me as we explore this week’s Friday Five.

1. What I’m Reading

From Strength to Strength. By Arthur C. Brooks.

Your professional decline is coming (much) sooner than you think. It typically begins between your late 30s and early 50s. That’s the stark opening message of Arthur C. Brooks’ From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life. Fortunately, Brooks reassures us that all is not lost. In fact, as we age, we can gain new skills, strengths, and importantly, a renewed sense of purpose.

Brooks is a social scientist who studies human happiness. I’ve been following his weekly column, ‘How to Build a Life,’ in The Atlantic for the past couple of years. In From Strength to Strength, Brooks argues that as we grow older, we can find new strength and purpose in our careers by making an intentional metaphorical leap from our ‘first curve’ to our ‘second curve’ in life.  

The first curve is characterised by what Brooks calls fluid intelligence—the raw smarts that enable us to reason, think flexibly, and solve hard problems. Unfortunately, this type of intelligence declines with age. In contrast, the second curve is defined by crystallised intelligence—the reservoir of knowledge and wisdom we accumulate through experience. This form of intelligence increases as we age through our 40s, 50s, and 60s. The trick is to know when to make the leap from relying on fluid intelligence to embracing crystallised intelligence, repurposing your professional life to provide service, wisdom, and counsel.

This makes sense. When I reflect on my own professional career, I made a deliberate decision to transition to my ‘second curve’ about eighteen months ago by pursuing a career in business and life coaching. I began investing in myself and have just completed both my Associate and Professional level coaching badges with the International Coaching Federation—the gold standard in coaching. This new path allows me to use both newly acquired skills and the crystallised knowledge I’ve built over the last five decades to help others achieve both professional and personal fulfilment.

Brooks also highlights the importance of simplifying our lives—“use things, love people.” He emphasises our interconnectedness, comparing us to Aspens and Redwood trees with their vast, intertwined root systems. Just like trees, humans are naturally connected—biologically, emotionally, psychologically, intellectually, and spiritually. According to Brooks, the second curve is essential; without it, we have no outlet for our accumulated wisdom. As a result, we risk losing our capacity for fulfilment and joy, which come from being of service to one another.

People need one another. It’s where we get our strength. It’s a fundamental truth we often overlook.

I’ve written more about this topic here.

2. What I’m Watching

Ed Wood (1994). Directed by Tim Burton.

Most people have heard of Orson Welles, the actor, writer, and director behind iconic and critically acclaimed films like Citizen Kane. Far fewer people, however, have heard of Edward D. Wood Jr., an actor, writer, and director from the same period as Welles. Unlike his hero Welles, Wood was ignored throughout his spectacularly unsuccessful filmmaking career and died in penniless obscurity. Wood was no undiscovered genius though, like Vincent Van Gogh. He made terrible films—and that’s being kind. He was only ‘rediscovered’ in the 1980s when he was labeled ‘The Worst Director of All Time.’ Then, in 1994, he was given a full-length biopic by Tim Burton, starring Hollywood A-lister Johnny Depp. This film, Ed Wood, might be the strangest biographical film ever made, yet also one of the most charming and quirky. The film won two Oscars and received a raft of critical acclaim, far eclipsing the profile and accomplishments of its real-life protagonist.

Burton tells the story of an ambitious and complex man who tries his best to realise his Hollywood dreams despite his very obvious lack of talent. It’s an ode to the eccentric. Burton, in his own unique visual style, recreates 1950s Hollywood in glorious black and white. And rather than ridicule Wood, he honours him. Burton has made a film about the exquisite joy of making movies. Wood is never happier than when filming his movies; his energy, passion, and joy are relentless. He is a man who loves every scene. Quite literally. We never see him ask for a second take. Every take is “perfect”, even when it’s clearly not, like in one case when one of his characters walks though a door and the fake cardboard wall shakes. Wood isn’t interested in those kind of details, and Burton takes some delight in that. It’s a comedy of the ridiculous and the sublime.

The film’s sublime moments are found in the relationship between Wood and his ‘leading man,’ Bela Lugosi. Lugosi, once a global superstar for his portrayal of Count Dracula in 1931, is now a washed-up morphine addict haunted by his irrelevance. After Wood befriends Lugosi, he becomes his cheerleader, friend, and protector, though he can’t restore Lugosi to stardom (he has a hard enough time convincing studio execs that Lugosi is still alive.) Their touching relationship is brought to life by Martin Landau’s outstanding performance as the tragic Lugosi, which earned him one of the film’s two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor. Tim Burton has said he was drawn to the story because of the similarities between Edward D. Wood Jr.’s relationship with Bela Lugosi and his own friendship with Vincent Price late in the actor’s life.

Depp is also excellent as Wood, and you can’t help but like poor Ed for his earnestness, naivety, belief in himself, support of his oddball friends, and his grand vision. “When you rewrite a script it gets better and better” Ed tells his girlfriend with a smile full of innocence. This is one of Tim Burton’s most overlooked films, but perhaps his best. Burton captures the heart of a man who, despite his shortcomings, has a vision and a process he believes in. Even if no-one else does.  

To get a taste of an Ed Wood film, you can watch the so-bad-it's-good Plan 9 From Outer Space (1957) for free on YouTube. It has a rating of 3.9 out of 10 on IMDb, one of the lowest scores in film history. You’ll see why.

3. What I’m Contemplating

One of the main themes in From Strength to Strength is the importance of relationships and community in navigating one’s ‘second curve.’ Having a support system is crucial for finding strength and motivation in later stages of life. Similarly, in Ed Wood, a significant theme emerges around the deep and touching relationship between the young Ed Wood and the much older Bela Lugosi. Wood’s unwavering support for Lugosi, especially during his battles with addiction and self-doubt, showcases the power of human interconnectedness, which in turn provides strength and a platform for growth and reinvention.

Life’s second curve, therefore, isn’t about flawless success but about finding purpose and connection in new ways. Some of these paths may be imperfect and unconventional, mirroring the reality of life’s vast ocean, which can be both tranquil and torrid.

Reinvention—whatever form it takes—often comes down to making sure that your work is meaningful. Research shows that productive human endeavour is central to creating a sense of purpose in life. What makes work meaningful isn’t the type of work itself, but the feeling that you are earning your success by serving others. Meaningful work is where you feel part of something larger than yourself. I believe Ed Wood felt that, in his own unique way. We might also consider how we can support others who are trying to reinvent themselves or find new areas to grow. After all, we share the same roots.

4. A Quote to note

“Visions are worth fighting for. Why spend your life making someone else’s dreams?”

- Orson Welles (a line written by Tim Burton for the fictionalised version of Orson Welles in Ed Wood)

5. A Question for you

How have your relationships and community supported you in times of change or reinvention?

Thanks for reading and being part of the Deep Life Journey community. If you have any reflections on this issue, please leave a comment. Have a great weekend.

James

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