I think parents often want their child to pick a “stable” career that brings home “stable” income that will provide for a “stable” life. But what if I would rather live life as an adventure? I’ve never subscribed to the philosophy that I should just be satisfied with a “good” job that pays “good” benefits. What if that job doesn’t fill my soul? I can’t remember who said it, but there was this dude who said something like, “everyone should just go home from work until they figured out what it is they really wanted to do”. Now of course if you have a family to provide for that may seem very foolish and totally unfeasible. But is living a life of total regret and unhappiness a more reasonable aim? I’m convinced the hardest thing to do in this lifetime is to truly follow one’s heart. How can that be?
Well, that’s easy to figure out. We’re all told from the time we’re born that certain things in life are “impossible” or “improbable”. If you think I’m stretching that a bit, go ahead and tell one of your dearest friends that you’re about to start your own business or that you’re going to drop 25 lbs in 6 months. I’ll tell you what’s going to happen because I’ve actually tried both. A few of your friends will tell you good luck, a few others will tell you how difficult and improbable your goals are and the rest will tell you nothing. It is the silence that often kills dreams not the voices of dissent. I spent years waiting for cheerleaders to show up at the sidelines of my dream. But guess what? They never appeared not from my family or friends. So I stopped talking about my dreams and goals.
Crazily enough, in 2008 it hit me. I realized that the reason no one appeared at my side with pom-poms and cheers was because I had not entered the arena yet. Fans cheer on the players: the ones who have committed for better or worse to their dream. On Jan 3rd 2008 I realized I wanted to become a major player. Hell, I really wasn’t even certain of what game I wanted to play in the beginning, but I just put my head down and started working…well actually running. I wanted to do something totally creative that sparked my inner passion. Players acknowledge that they want to play in the game first and foremost which means that they proclaim this is who I am and this is what I’m about to do. You can’t “kinda” play, it’s all or nothing. And when players fall short of making a play they don’t blame it on the weather or their lack of playing time, they acknowledge their shortcomings and build.
Well, that’s easy to figure out. We’re all told from the time we’re born that certain things in life are “impossible” or “improbable”. If you think I’m stretching that a bit, go ahead and tell one of your dearest friends that you’re about to start your own business or that you’re going to drop 25 lbs in 6 months. I’ll tell you what’s going to happen because I’ve actually tried both. A few of your friends will tell you good luck, a few others will tell you how difficult and improbable your goals are and the rest will tell you nothing. It is the silence that often kills dreams not the voices of dissent. I spent years waiting for cheerleaders to show up at the sidelines of my dream. But guess what? They never appeared not from my family or friends. So I stopped talking about my dreams and goals.
Crazily enough, in 2008 it hit me. I realized that the reason no one appeared at my side with pom-poms and cheers was because I had not entered the arena yet. Fans cheer on the players: the ones who have committed for better or worse to their dream. On Jan 3rd 2008 I realized I wanted to become a major player. Hell, I really wasn’t even certain of what game I wanted to play in the beginning, but I just put my head down and started working…well actually running. I wanted to do something totally creative that sparked my inner passion. Players acknowledge that they want to play in the game first and foremost which means that they proclaim this is who I am and this is what I’m about to do. You can’t “kinda” play, it’s all or nothing. And when players fall short of making a play they don’t blame it on the weather or their lack of playing time, they acknowledge their shortcomings and build.
In 08 when I decided to pursue acting it was the first time I didn’t tell anyone of my secret ambition. I just decided to train relentlessly, either taking a class or running the hills of Palos Verdes. And this time, I didn’t need any cheerleaders to help me figure out if I was good enough or talented enough or pretty enough to enter the arena. All I needed was a hunger to play. And I figure now that I’m in the game, I might as well try to score and I’m playing to win. But what I didn’t know then that I know now is that being a player is in itself a major victory. I’ll never be amongst the crowd who talks down on the game, who belittles the game because they were too afraid to put on a uniform and enter the arena. At rehearsal last night, one of the other actresses talked about how she overcame stage fright, how she couldn’t sleep before performances because deep down she knew that her opening lines either captured the audience or made them hit the snooze button. It was a quiet moment in which we were exchanging comforting words amongst performers. It was in that moment that I realized, wait a second, I’m about to hit the stage for the first time, I’m acting baby. That’s all right…I’m finally entering the arena this September and that’s got to be worth at least like a million dollars.
I’m a beast.
Shak
100.
I’m a beast.
Shak
100.
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