We Must Do What We Can

What is it that you're not doing? That you're waiting to do, that you've always wanted to do, but you aren't?

What is it that you're waiting for the right time to do, the right people to do, the right resources to do it with now?

                                                What are you allowing to stop you?

If you asked the best problem solver in your life how they could do what you want to do, would they have an answer for how you could do it? If there is a solution, then are your excuses invalid? Or is there something underneath the the reasons you say you can't the real issue?

Is there some hidden fear stopping you? Perhaps a fear that you don't even know is there, that makes you automatically say, no, that won't work, we can't do that now, this isn't a good time?

In order to move forward with our life and our goals, we must identify the hidden reasons stopping us from living life to the fullest. We must stop and be honest with ourselves and ask the questions that may be difficult to answer, because those questions may show our weakness, that we've been trying so hard to keep hidden.

Find a quiet place to get away from everyone and every technical devise, (go hide in your closet if you need to get away from the kids) and grab a pen and notebook.

Start by asking yourself:

•  What am I really afraid of?
• What is the worst thing that could happen if I did this thing I want to do? (then really picture the whole scenario, as if it goes the absolute worst it could go.)
• What is the best thing that could happen if I did this thing I want to do? (same thing really visualize the best possible scenario if you totally and completely went for it.)
• What is really stopping?

 Those are just a few questions to ask, but as you sit in that quiet place and listen, you will come up with more answers, and more questions.

Next we have to take the emotions out of the answers/excuses. The key thing here is to not be tied to it emotionally, don't be tied to the answers or the outcome, try to listen and debunk your reasons as if you are someone else and not emotionally moved by the implications of any answer, but as if you are a 3rd party bystander.

This may take some practice, but if you are able to do it, you can be your own best advocate.

This is your life, you will only get one, don't wait to do all the things you've always dreamed of doing. Disseminate the and obliterate the excuses, so you never get to the point where you have to say, it's too late now, I should have done that when I was younger.

Do What You Love Even If No One Is Watching

Sometimes life is full of disappointments.

Sometimes expectations don't get met.

Sometimes we imagine our life will turn out different than it does...

Yet sometimes it doesn't, and that's okay. When we can learn to not only live with but love whatever is happening in the journey that we are on the moment, we can truly find freedom.

I've been in well over 100 plus film/tv/web series/plays etc...in the time I've been in Hollywood and I haven't always enjoyed the journey.

Because I didn't embrace struggle or heartache, I wasn't thinking of how much stronger it would make me or the lessons I would eventually learn from it. I just complained about the pain and how uncomfortable those moments were.

I bellyached that I should be further along in my career than I am now.

But who said I should be?

My idea of 'making it' may have happened to others a lot sooner on their journey, but that's not my journey. And when I despise what I am going through, it robs me. It robs me of the beauty in the moment.

When I'm only looking to the future and daydreaming of what could be, I miss out on today, on the little nuances I should be taking in learning from and appreciating. Nor am I taking time to contemplate and question why I am where I am and what I specifically need to do to move to the next level if all I'm doing is complaining about where I'm not.

Sometimes we make plans and they don't happen, or they don't happen the way we envision.

I've now begun the process of finding my true happiness and what I am here on planet earth for, I used to think that acting and more recently writing, but I've come to realize that even that isn't really it, it's just the vehicle I drive on my journey, it in itself is not the destination.

At heart we are all story tellers.

Whether we tell our stories through numbers like a mathematician, through whittling wood, through the way we raise our children or arrange a flower bouquet, we are telling a story.

I then ask myself does it really matter if none of the many projects I've been in have become a huge success? Or if only 100 people have read my book?

No, it doesn't.

At least not in the grand scheme of life and what is most important and the legacy I desire to leave behind.

Does my lack of success in some people's eyes mean I give in or quit or get a 9 to 5 job? No, if I believe in what I do and it fuels my passion to live life to the fullest, I press on, no matter the difficulties or hardships because this is what I love, this is what I feel compelled to do, even called to do, like acting and writing are all wrapped up in my life's purpose.

And I believe that's true or I wouldn't have left my comfortable and predictable life and moved so many thousands of miles away to seek a new one.

 Does that mean I shouldn't put my work out there just because no one seems to notice or care?

Absolutely not.

Do that thing you love that you were made for that you would do for free even if no one were watching you and you never had an audience, a fan base or could fill up a theater.

If you quit because you don't have those things, then maybe your heart was not in your art or your craft but in the praises of men, and if that's all you're seeking, there are other ways to go about it, but the artist life is one of toil...toil at every level because once you get to the top, you toil to stay there.

Do what you feel compelled to do, whatever makes you happy even if no one is watching.

Stoke that fire in yourself or rekindle it if it's gone out. Step out, do more, do different, find your niche. If one thing doesn't work try another.

Don't die with regrets.

Give it every ounce, every breath, and then when you're old you won't be sitting in the nursing home wondering what would have happened if you had only went for it.

IN GOOD FAITH

I had an audition last year and it went really well. Have you ever felt like you 'nailed' that audition or interview only to hear...

Crickets

Nada

Nothing

A few months later, I get a call, not from the director or producer of that pilot TV project I auditioned for, but from the director of another film project.

She was present in the room when I did my audition and thought I'd be great for her project!

Casey Hempel, Disney princess and lover of everything Disney

Casey Hempel, soon to be graduate of the New York Film School asks me to play the mother of the lead character in her thesis film.


In Good Faith





She wrote a beautiful short film with touches of humor about misconceptions people have about other people's faith and religion.

Here is Kelly Klopocinski as well as me and Casey Hempel

 Here are a couple of shots of the actors from the film.

If you would like to keep up on the film and where it is heading and where it can be seen.  Please "like" the link on Facebook In Good Faith Facebook fan page

Walking By Faith - A Hit Gospel Musical

Walking By Faith is the 2nd stage-play I've had the privilege of being in. It is written and directed by Don B. Welch

Here's a behind the scenes shot in the dressing room of most of the cast.

It's always a pleasure working with so many hard working and talented actors. And Don B. Welch is very gracious in bringing in new talent and giving them a chance.

One of the cast member in the front row of this picture in the suit and pink tie (Dante) actually moved to LA just so he could be part of Don B. Welch's plays. Don has written close to 30 stage plays and has been blessed enough to have at least 4 of them turned into feature films. His latest release you can purchase is call "The Divorce"

In the play Walking By Faith, Don pulls back the curtain and shows some of the unpleasant things that are never talked about in the church. The taboo subject matters that people deal with. The hypocrisy of certain member who look like they have everything together. There's pain and hurt underneath their Sunday morning masks.

And although no one is immune from having issues, there is a healing that takes place that is available if you draw close to God and Walk By Faith. Although it deals with very serious subject matter, there are plenty of laughs to lighten up the tense moments.

This is me and Joshua. I would say he's definitely one of the comic reliefs in the play! A few people told Don that it was like going to an actual church service with the amazing singing of beloved hymns that you can't help but to sing and clap along with; but first and foremost, it is truly entertainment.

 Yes you will be touched moved and inspired, and perhaps you will take home a lesson or two. But the most important thing is, you will relate, you will be pleasantly surprised and you will laugh.

 Because of the popular demand and turning away people at the door. All three of our initial shows were sold out. Don B. Welch is bringing the play back one more time for an encore performance at a larger venue! Don't wait, get your tickets now for the May 24th performance!

2013 Recap - Writing Transformation

So it seems I didn't write a single post in 2013, which may have led some to think I didn't write in 2013. But it was quite the opposite. I had a lot of discovery's with my poetry in regards to defining my voice and how I want to say things in 2013.

I had a wonderful mentor Kimberly L. who gave me tremendous feedback on my manuscript, and I spent the rest of the year, revising and getting my work to line up with the vision I told her I had for the poetry.

It has been a challenge, but the end results have lit me up with excitement over being able to say what I need to say not only in a unique way, but a way that would lend to people remembering what was said more, and hopefully provide a bit of a chuckle, if not merely a knowing smile.

Let me show you a bit of the transformation when I took note not only to make it more memorable but more visual  as well. Here's an example, excerpts from the current book I'm working on "Poetic Prescriptions for Plaguing Problems"

PREVIOUS VERSION EXCERPTS (not consecutive stanzas):

Because of slip-ups, small or large,

That I have previously made;

They’re blown out of proportion, say

“I’m just calling a Spade a Spade.”

When we have all of these human laws

To obey what should they expect?

They’re not flawless in their own lives,

No matter what they now project.

I say I can’t let what they speak

About me get me to be down;

They’re in the trade of finding fault

With everyone else in this town.

 

Sours how I feel, stops me from

The joyous way I wish to live;

Makes me question every small thing,

When they’ve chosen not to forgive.

One locale it makes me question:

Whether or not I’m living right;

Self examination is great,

However, they just want to fight.

AFTER THE CURRENT REWRITE EXCERPTS (not consecutive stanzas):

I wonder what’s attracted them?

To this attack I’m a beginner;

I’ve never seen such hunger here

Perhaps to them I smell like dinner?

If mess up and they point it out

They show their nymphs what they detect;

These omnivores have their own flaws,

But it’s perfection they project.

 

I must debug, get rid of them

Devouring me they still consume;

Proactive now I have become

There’s roach motels in every room.

 

Portray themselves a certain way

And then before I know they molt;

They look to multiply themselves

With orange oil I will revolt.

They hunt to hide where it is dark

They leave their droppings everywhere;

It seems to rob me of my joy

When they accuse and they compare.

As you can see the two versions of stanzas are distinctly different, not only is the 2nd one more visual, I believe it makes more sense and says what I want it to in a more memorable way.

Stay tuned as I attempt to follow up here a lot more often than once a year!