Attitude is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than what people do or say. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. – W. C. Fields
That quote from W.C. Fields could not more accurately describe this film. The Gods of Olympus rule the world of man. And those who disobey or hurt others are punished.
I have learned that my attitude dictates everything around me including my ability to build wealth. A positive attitude can move mountains.
See my post Money and Life Lessons I Learned from CBS Srorybreak’s Yeh-Shen
This mythical tale of Perseus, son of Zeus, and his quest for the ‘fair’ Andromeda, Clash of the Titans was released on June 12, 1981.
Why is Greek mythology important?
Greek mythology is the body of myths originally told by the ancient Greeks. These stories concern the origin and the nature of the world, the lives and activities of deities, heroes, and mythological creatures, and the origins and significance of the ancient Greeks‘ own cult and ritual practices.
Clash of the Titans is a 1981 British-American heroic fantasy adventure film directed by Desmond Davis and written by Beverley Cross which retells the Greek mythological story of Perseus. It stars Harry Hamlin, Judi Bowker, Burgess Meredith, Maggie Smith and Laurence Olivier. The film features the final work of stop motion visual effects artist Ray Harryhausen.
Review for the film with an excellent synopsis from IMBD # 8 from 2004.
In the Mount Olympus, Zeus (Laurence Olivier) destroyed the city Argus with the Titan Kraken to punish King Acrisius (Donald Houston) that sentenced his daughter Danae (Vida Taylor) and her son with Zeus Perseus to death in the sea. Zeus orders Poseidon to save them and Perseus grows up in a paradisiacal island with his mother.
Years later, Zeus punishes Calibos (Neil McCarthy), the evil son of the goddess Thetis (Maggie Smith) and fiancé of Princess Andromeda (Judi Bowker), turning him into a monster doomed to live in the swamps.
The vindictive Thetis curses Andromeda with a spell and every suitor should solve a riddle; otherwise he would be sentenced to the bonfire. Further, she brings Perseus (Harry Hamlin) while sleeping half-naked to the City of Jopa but Zeus gives magical helmet, shield and sword to his son for self-protection.
When Perseus sees Andromeda, he falls in love with her and uses the magic outfits and Pegasus to discover the answer of the riddle with Calibos.
But Thetis dooms Andromeda to be sacrificed to the Kraken otherwise the City of Jopa and the inhabitants will be destroyed by the Titan. Perseus now has to defeat Medusa and the Kraken to save his beloved princess.
The saga of Perseus, the mortal son of Zeus, and the intrigue among the Gods of Olympus, is brilliant presented in this magnificent film. The delightful story is supported by an outstanding international cast, with names such as Laurence Olivier, Burgess Meredith, Maggie Smith and Ursula Andress, and by fantastic special effects, considering this is a 1981 movie. The golden mechanical owl Buba is hilarious and responsible for some of the best moments in this film. This epic is a wonderful and highly recommended entertainment for the whole family. I do not recall how many times I have had the pleasure of watching this film.
WEALTH IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR HUMILITY
Zeus watches over everyone in Mount Olympus. Especially, that of his children and those of the other Gods, many of whom have children with mortals.
It has become known that Thetis’ son Calibos, who has been spoiled and given every advantage in life, is cold and callous. He abuses and hurts others. For this, Zeus punishes him. His son Perseus, who was given none of those advantages or indulgences of Calibos, is punished by Thetis in retaliation and dropped in the middle of their war between each other.
I found it very interesting that Zeus was willing to punish Calibos for being inhumane and uncivilized. He let the punishment fit the crime.
This is a reminder that life is not fair and no deed goes unnoticed, good or bad.
You should live your life like it will hit the front page of every newspaper. Best to eat humble pie than be served a dish that is best served cold.
WITH MONEY COMES POWER AND WEALTH BRINGS PROTECTION
Being in power means you can make things happen. If you read the stories of Napoleon Bonaparte, The War of the Roses, Winston Churchill, or any leader or influencer you will find a theme.
Success leaves clues.
Regardless, of whether or not you are born into wealth, it is your job to manage all that you have. This is done by controlling your thoughts and actions.
Did you know that most generational wealth is gone within three generations?
According to MarketWatch, about seven in 10 wealthy families lose their fortune by the second generation, according to a study of more than 3,200 high-net worth families by the Williams Group wealth consultancy. By the third generation that number has jumped to 90%.
That means the parents and grandparents make the money, and the children and grandchildren spend it.
After doing some more research, I discovered the following:
- If you earn more than $34,000 per year, you are in the top 1 percent globally.
- Most wealth is not inherited. You have to work for your meal. There is no FREE LUNCH.
- According to the book The Millionaire Next Door, most millionaires are worth between $1 million to $5 million.
See my post the Top 1% of income worldwide
In the film, Zeus provides Perseus with incredible weapons that are magical to protect him. This would not have been possible if his father did not have access to those things.
The reason you want to have financial independence is because you can protect yourself and your loved ones.
FIND YOUR PASSION AND CREATE YOUR FINANCIAL DESTINY
Perseus gets sent to Jopa where Calibos ex-fiance is cursed by his mother Thetis. He decides to find out the answer to the riddle so that he may marry the princess Andromeda.
One of my favorite parts of the film right here. Perseus was smart in the way he found the answer. This is what you are supposed to do in life. Find a goal. Make a plan. Execute. Same rules apply to personal finance.
I set a goal of saving first 10% of my income. Then it kept growing from there. I set the following savings goals:
- Save 15% of my income
- Save 20% of my income
- Save 25% of my income
- Save 30% of my income
- Save 35% of my income
- Save 40% of my income
- Save 45% of my income
- Save 50% of my income ➡this is my next goal 💰😉
WE ONLY WANT JUSTICE
If you cannot be a good winner, there is no way you can be a good loser. – Halle Berry
See my post on Halle Berry and success
After Perseus defeats Calibos, he spares his life only if he lifts the cure on Andromeda and he agrees.
He then goes to demand his mother seek out vengeance on Perseus. This is wrong. Perseus won in a fair fight with hand-to-hand combat. However, his mother does what he asks. Thereby putting Perseus on another quest to yet again save Andromeda and risking his life in the process although he committed no crime. He must now face Medusa.
Justice or Revenge
NEEDS VS WANTS
Knowing what your needs versus wants are is how you will achieve your goals.
Perseus must face Medusa in order to save Andromeda.
Who is Medusa?
In Greek mythology, Medusa was a monster, a Gorgon, generally described as a winged human female with living venomous snakes in place of hair. Those who gazed upon her face would turn to stone.
What is the legend of Medusa? In later myths (mainly in Ovid) Medusa was the only Gorgon to possess snake locks, because they were a punishment from Athena. In a late version of the Medusa myth, related by the Roman poet Ovid (Metamorphoses 4.770), Medusa was originally a ravishingly beautiful maiden, “the jealous aspiration of many suitors.” Accordingly, Ovid relates that the once beautiful mortal was punished by Athena with a hideous appearance and loathsome snakes for hair for having been in Athena’s temple and being pursued by Poseidon.
Simply put, she was punished for being too beautiful.
In the film, Perseus only did what is absolutely necessary. Veering off course, even just a little could spell disaster. Same goes for wealth building.
TRIUMPHANT AND SUCCESS AT LAST
Perseus wins.
Zeus declares:
No more trials against Perseus for he has confronted them and he has won.
The gods predict that Perseus and Andromeda will live happily, rule wisely, and produce children, and Zeus forbids the other gods to pursue vengeance against them. Zeus commands, “I forbid any revenge against Perseus.” He has triumphed and he shall be rewarded.
The constellations of Perseus, Andromeda, Pegasus, and Cassiopeia are created in their honor.
I feel that like Perseus, I have been underestimated.
It took many years to achieve the goals I had set for myself. Some of which I am still working towards. And as one is crossed off the list, others are added. However, as I once told my sister, I had my back against the wall and was down but not out.
It took every ounce of energy and willpower I had, but I started taking control of my financial life and never looked back.
All those times of wondering how I would pay the bills, get to the end of the month before getting through the end of the money, and living check to check was no more.
I had prevailed against every obstacle, trial and tribulation, and test that had come up against me. There would be no more trials of continuing to go into debt against me. For I had triumphed and I had won!
I hope you enjoyed this post. I had to travel all the way back to 1981, but you have to admit that it is a great story and a spectacular adventure.
Well Greenbacks Magnets, that wraps up another post. Until next time.