Inspirational Reminder: Protect Your Dreams No Matter What!

It never hurts to remind myself of what I believe and allow it to inspire me as often as possible. If I know anything, I know I must protect my dreams...no matter what!

Finding My Way...

My blog has been silent for the last month as I have been trying to figure out what has been off within me. I have lived with a belief system that your life experiences are a reflection of where you place your thoughts. The challenge of this belief system is that I am completely responsible for the state of my life. There is no cursing God or blaming others- it all is coming from some deep rooted thought patterns that are simply not serving me well.

Now I have been pretty good at looking at my life and acknowledging the painful childhood experiences that have shaped me. However,  the challenge I realize now is  figuring out how to not just let go of the past but to replace the thought patterns that clearly are deeply rooted in my subconscious. The Universe has decided to give me a hand in this area. After a spontaneous search of the internet on topics of self-hypnosis and tapping into the power of your subconscious mind, I came across a "positive brainwashing program" called "UltraConfidence" that for a minimal cost provides you with a system of downloads that bombard your brain with subliminal thoughts of confidence as you listen to mini-lectures on why you are entitled to living confidently in the present. The program doesn't say anything that I haven't heard before but the power of the program is in spending about 50 minutes a day listening to the series of 6 mini-lectures and answering two sets of loaded questions whose function are to bypass your conscious mind and implant thoughts of confidence directly into your subconscious.

After a few weeks, I have to say it has been very useful at keeping me in a very positive state of mind. I am planning on making it a part of my daily routine and see where it takes me.  So far, I am very optimistic. I have had recently what I can only describe as a breakthrough!  I booked an acting job! I have been working for a year and a half on trying to break back into this business. I know that much of the problem has been linked with simply having the self-confidence to go for it and believe in myself. As I don't believe in coincidence, I can only conclude that the UltraConfidence has had enough of an impact to help me land my first acting job in a long time.

I trust that in time and continued focus on replacing those embedded limiting thoughts that more positive experiences will continue to manifest into my life. I had so much fun getting back onto a studio lot as a professional actor! I look forward to getting to a place of auditioning and working on a consistent basis! Thoughts have power, so I am determined to focus my thoughts firmly in the direction of my dreams.      

Keeping Going No Matter What...

I have been pretty lousy with my blogging as life has been a real challenge. I am auditioning with little success to-date, money is not exactly flowing - yet, and it is all been something of an emotional drain trying to remain positive and focused on creating the life and career that I want. Some days I wonder why I am doing all this but in the end, I know I am still happier than I ever was working my prior 9to5. I am progressing with my improving my craft but I have not broken through to make professional progress earning a living in my chosen field aside from occasional coaching gigs.

I keep going because I know I can make a life doing what I love. I do however, need to get a thicker skin and improve my confidence in my abilities despite my current career challenges.

I am once again reminded that I have a habit of seeing my negative self-talk as "facing reality" and my positive thinking sometimes feels like "self-delusion". I wish I knew how to switch that around. Improving my diet has been very helpful in keeping more positive. My Saturday runs also work wonders. However, getting a regular exercise program has been another challenge.

How does one learn to follow through better? I can get motivated for a while and then hit a rough patch and everything seems to feel overshadowed by my mental roadblocks to success. This weekend, I plan to work on a weekly schedule of activities so hopefully I can create more structure to help me see myself moving toward my various goals and whether motivated or down in the dumps I can rely on the structure to make it through the day. Let's see what comes of this new tactic. Whatever keeps me going...   

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