The Success Creed

I found this next "Success Creed" when I came across the blog "An Actor's World". I found it very motivating and also posted to my bathroom mirror. I am currently committing it to memory to help me get my life out of "idle" and moving into the direction I want it to go.

The Success Creed


I have decided to succeed.

I now know that this decision is critical - it will determine the results I get.

Furthermore, I have decided to succeed wildly.

I will make enough money to become financially secure and comfortable - with plenty left over to do good and make a real difference in the lives of people I love.

Because I know that it takes just as much effort to think big as it does to think small - I will think big. I will also work hard 

- very hard.

Success that is permanent and sustained will require massive effort on my part.

Overnight success is a fiction. I cannot plan for fictional success. Reality is not optional.

The secret to achieving my goals is my own belief that I can do it. Once I am in this frame of mind, I have already won.

All that remains to do is to execute my plan.

It's not what I achieve in the end that matters - it's who I become in the process.

Failure is just an event.

 

The Actor's Vow

I was watching a PBS documentary called "Letter to Elia" and noticed what was referred to as "The Actor's Vow" which Elia created during his time with the Actor's Studio. I found it inspiring so wanted to post it here and on my bathroom mirror. 

The Actor’s Vow

I will take my rightful place on stage
and I will be myself.
I am not a cosmic orphan.
I have no reason to be timid.
I will respond as I feel;
awkwardly, vulgarly,
but respond.

I will have my throat open,
I will have my heart open,
I will be vulnerable.
I may have anything or everything
the world has to offer, but the thing
I need most, and want most,
is to be myself.

I will admit rejection, admit pain,
admit frustration, admit even pettiness,
admit shame, admit outrage,
admit anything and everything
that happens to me.

The best and most human parts of
me are those I have inhabited
and hidden from the world.
I will work on it.
I will raise my voice.
I will be heard.

The Senseless Tragedy of Cyber-Bullying

This story of the suicide of the gay Rutgers student is such a senseless tragedy. Yet it is just the tip of the iceberg of an epidemic affecting so many gay teens who feel lost in a world of hate they cannot overcome.  So many stories lately have been shining a light of this problem.

I have experienced nothing worse than the pain and isolation that is caused by bullies who attack your spirit simply because you are an easy target to vent their own self-loathing.   If you survive this period of seemingly endless torture, you gain some measure of strength but the scars last a lifetime, on some level, whether you want them to or not..

These stories have touched me so personally as there but by the grace of God go I.

Olympia Dukakis, Annie Purcell to star in 'Elektra' at Getty Villa

Tonight, I am getting a healthy dose of "culture" as I check out Olympia Dukakis  in "Elektra" at the Getty Villa.

Visiting the "Villa" in Malibu is a treat in itself, but it is also the best place to see a performance of this fantastic Greek tragedy!

Olympia Dukakis, Annie Purcell to star in 'Elektra' at Getty Villa

Anti-Aging Skin Treatment Recipe #1: My Black Sesame-Coconut Milk Nightcap

I have decided to start documenting the homemade anti-aging skin treatments I plan to use either internally or externally. Since goal #1 is finding creative ways to incorporate more coconut into my day, lets start with a healthy and delicious coconut concoction  I actually enjoy drinking.

This one I am calling my "Black Sesame Coconut Milk Nightcap."

It is pretty simple, but first let's start with the basics.

Basic Coconut Milk Recipe
Ingredients:
3 cans of Thai coconut milk
3 cups of cold water
2-3 tablespoons of Raw honey (optional)

Directions:
Mix equal parts canned Thai coconut milk with water. I just open the can and refill it with ice cold water to wash out the remaining cream. Add raw honey for additional flavor. The canned coconut alone is too rich to drink without diluting it with water. The honey compensates for the watering down.

The only downside to using the canned Thai coconut milk is that it contains Potassium Metabisulphite as a preservative. I am not at the stage where I want to make the milk from boiling and cooling fresh grated coconut milk. That will come later.

Chill the new coconut milk in your refrigrator and you are good to go!

Black Sesame-Coconut Milk Nightcap Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup Coconut Milk (see Basic Coconut Milk Recipe above)
2 tablespoons ground black sesame seeds
1-2 tablespoons extra virgin coconut oil

Directions:

Take your cup of coconut milk and simmer to a boil. In a regular coffee mug, mix your 2 tablespoons of ground black sesame seeds with 1 or 2 tablespoons of extra virgin coconut oil. Add warm milk and stir.

It is a great replacement for my sugar filled hot chocolate. The combination of ingredients gives you a creamy rich cup of warm nutrition. The additional extra virgin coconut oil helps me meet my daily intake of this healthy oil. Black sesame is rich in calcium, iron, magnesium, proteins and fatty acids while providing a tasty nutty flavor. If you can't buy the sesame seeds ground, use your coffee grinder.

I love this drink as it satisfies my sweet tooth and keeps me from reaching for a bag of oreos.

Remember, this is my own health concoction and works for me. Give it a shot, if you like. You might like it as well!

My Anti Aging Skin Treatment A.K.A. The Great Coconut Experiment

The other day, I was cleaning out the bathroom cabinet and discovered literally a garbage bag worth of half used cleansers, shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers etc. You name it I bought it in my never ending battle to stay as youthful as possible in the competitive environment of film and television.  I can guess I had a good thousand dollars bagged for the Monday morning trash pick up. I see it as a price of doing business. Besides who doesn't like to look good when they look in the mirror?

The problem is, after watching the documentary "Food Inc." I have been overly aware of how much consumer manipulation is involved in the selling of products in just about every industry.  As I stood in my bathroom I thought, if they don't mind manipulating the foods we eat, what corporation would think twice about scamming us on our national obsession with our appearance? If I can let go of the processed food merry-go -round, why not go as natural as possible with my grooming regime?

Now, as the face is essentially one of any actor's assets or impediments, so to speak, I need to be pretty committed to getting it to represent me in the best possible manner. So, as an actor what do I need?

Flawless glowing skin
Fewer wrinkles
Less under eye puffiness
Tighter, toned skin around the cheeks and jawline.

In other words, I need to look not just good but as amazing as I can!

So, I am going to go "au naturale," that is, no more money on "store bought wonder products" and make some homemade grooming products made from nature's bounty and my two little hands.

I have always been fascinated by articles on  plants, essential oils and exotic fruits that have had amazing effects on our bodies. However, I never seriously tried them when it seemed easier to just go to the store. Well, I guess I am ready to put nature and my own creativity to the test.

How I will do this will be an interesting little adventure, but hopefully it will produce some outstanding measurable anti-aging results!

What will I need?

1. Some sort of cleanser
2. A toner
3. A facial scrub
4. A facial mask
5. A moisturizer
6. A shampoo
7. a conditioner


At the present moment I know of five ingredients that will possibly be the base of my grooming regime and thus the 7 new homemade products I have yet to create. (#8 was going to be deodorant but I think I will stick with "store bought" deodorant thank you very much!:))

The Five Magic Ingredients are:
1. Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
2. Aloe Vera (cut from my many houseplants)
3. Tea Tree Oil
4. Green Tea
5. Organic Apple Cider Vinegar  

These five guys have always held a special fascination for me. Now time to put my faith to the test!
In time I hope to be an expert on them as I will be using them internally and externally where applicable..
The leader of the group will be Coconut and Extra Virgin Coconut oil as I am making it a staple of my daily cooking. My goal to have the greatest impact possible by changing both what goes in and on my body. I will need to pick my mom's brain for some delicious recipes or simply get creative. Either way, I want the internal impact strong enough to have a visible effect upon my face and body from the inside out! Any external application from my homemade products will be a boost to the anti aging skin treatment I am undertaking but not the main source of any body transformation.
 
In my research I have found some amazing claims made regarding the healing properties of coconuts. I suppose I will have to seriously research the other four members of my team and report on them over time. However here are a few things i discovered about coconut and extra virgin coconut oil.


Benefits of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil:

1. Coconut contains many health benefits due to its fiber, vitamins and nutritional content, it’s the oil that makes it a truly remarkable food and medicine. 
2. Coconut oil is composed predominately of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), also known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). 
3. MCFA do not have a negative effect on cholesterol and actually help to protect against heart disease. 
4. MCFA help to lower the risk of both atherosclerosis and heart disease. . 
5. Coconut oil contains high levels of antioxidants which help to protect the body from free radicals and prevent degenerative diseases and premature aging.
6.  Coconut oil is anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial. It kills viruses that have a lipid (fatty) coating, such as:       

                      HIV     
                      Herpes                                                                                                             
                      Hepatitis C                                                                                                                   
                      Mononucleosis. .

     7. It also kills the bacteria that cause:                                                                            
                     Pneumonia
                     Sore Throats
                    Dental Cavities                                                                                                                  
                    Urinary tract infections                                                                                                         
                    Meningitis                                                                                                               
                    Gonorrhea                                      
                    Food Poisoning
 
      8.  It kills the fungus/yeast infections that cause:
                  Candida                                                                                                                                     
                  Athlete's Foot                                                                                                                                                Ringworm
                  Thrush           
                  Jock Itch                                                                                                                                  
                  Diaper Rash

Other Extra Virgin Coconut oil Benefits:

1. Boosts energy levels and endurance. 
2. Aids in Weight Loss Increases
3. Helps prevent wrinkles.
4. Helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections
5. It is rich in lauric acid, which is known for being antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal, and contains no trans fat
6. Helps in improving the digestive system and absorption of fat soluble vitamins, minerals and amino acids thus prevents various stomach and digestion related problems including irritable bowel syndrome.
7. Is one of the best natural nutrients for hair. It promotes healthy hair providing it with a shiny complexion.
8. Regular massage of the scalp with coconut oil ensures that it is free of dandruff, lice, and lice eggs, even if your scalp is dry.
9. It acts as an excellent shampoo or conditioner and helps in the re-growth of damaged hair.
10. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hair.
11. It acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skins including dry skin.
12. It is anti-inflamatory: useful as a salve to speed healing of bruises, strains, and sore muscles.
13. Strengthens a sluggish Thyroid, Liver and Kidney.

In time, I hope to see some dramatic results. However, I am patient and not looking for overnight miracles but long-term internal healing that will show my improved health from my glowing skin to my viseral fat free stomach- allowing my six pack to look like a six pack and not one big kegger!

When all is said and done, I know that this adventure will not only assist me in getting into optimum health but it will be one of the best investments I can make in my acting career.

Life Can Turn On A Dime

This morning my best friend learned that his 47 year old brother, an otherwise healthy man, died of a brain aneurysm quite suddenly.

I am in a bit of shock.

It reminds me of how precious the gift of life is. Life can turn on a dime. It seems like such a waste to spend time doing anything but living your life with as much joy as possible.