Lessons On Life For The Actor
Lessons On Life for the Actor
by Mario A. Campanaro
1. Letting Go:
“Did you ever ask yourself why it’s so difficult to let go? All those things—experiences, thoughts, and relationships—that you’re holding onto, thinking they’re the rock that keeps you safe and stable, might actually be the things holding you back from reaching your greatest potential. It’s like an anchor holding a ship in harbor. The anchor serves its purpose, but when the ship is ready to move on, it has to let go of the anchor to reach its next destination. Sometimes, we have to let go. I know it’s difficult and scary, but we must trust that the unknown holds the answers for us, and what’s meant to come will come. Trust that it’s for our highest purpose and our good.”
2. Breaking Through Expectations:
“Yeah, but why settle for the fern when you can have the whole oak tree?! Your idea of what a breakthrough 'should' look like might actually be keeping you from receiving it. You’re holding yourself hostage by your expectations of what it’s supposed to be, and that shuts the door to possibilities. That doesn’t mean you stop working towards your dreams, nurturing them, and putting in the effort. But at some point, you need to surrender, trust in the universe’s timing, and let go of rigid expectations. You’re planting seeds now, but don’t miss the opportunity to receive the oak tree when it’s ready for you because you’re too focused on that little seedling.”
3. Perfection vs. Progress:
“We’re all doing what we can, moment to moment, to improve our lives. So, give yourself a break from the pressure of appearing to have it all together. No one has it all together. Life will always throw curveballs, and all you can do is your best with what you have. Learn from those experiences. The beauty is that you not only improve your life but also gain valuable insights to use in your work. Your struggles and challenges aren’t baggage; they’re the diamonds you can use to create meaningful art.”
4. Turning to Life for Lessons:
“It’s great to read books, attend workshops, and reach out to mentors, but why are we going to the middleman when we have full access to the main source—Life itself? Life is the greatest teacher. If you want to learn how to listen, understand needs, overcome obstacles, or explore relationships, turn to Life! Life is the ultimate masterclass, and it holds all the answers you’ll ever need about the craft of acting. Everything you learn from Life is completely applicable.”
5. The Actor’s Purpose:
“Acting asks us to look within ourselves and align with the given circumstances. By revealing both the light and dark sides of the human condition, we serve humanity. We bring awareness to areas of the human experience that still need to evolve. As an actor, you are an instrument of change, bringing light to these aspects of humanity. Art is ultimately service to humankind, and that’s what artistry is about.”
6. True Greatness:
“True greatness comes from the willingness to take a journey within. It’s about understanding who you are deeply and then deciding that you will no longer sacrifice who you are to make others feel comfortable. It’s about not trying to fit into a limited box of what you think the world expects from you. Your truth is the key to becoming everything you want and more. Use your truth as your brand, your vehicle, and your marketability.”
7. Feelings and Needs:
“Feelings are essential for artists because they give us access to the full spectrum of the human condition. But remember, feelings are a result of needs being met or unmet. When an actor says, 'I’m not feeling it!' I often think it’s because they’re too focused on self-awareness and feeling, rather than on pursuing their character’s needs. It’s the pursuit of those needs that drives the feelings, and if you focus too much on your emotions, you’ll miss the bigger picture—the relationship and the pursuit of the character’s needs.”
8. External Validation:
“External validation, like applause, success, and awards, will never be enough if you allow the outside world to determine your worth as an artist. That sense of lack will always be there. You must know in your heart that your work is worthy, regardless of external recognition. Your talent and your journey are enough to validate your pursuit, but that self-worth must come from within, not from the applause or success you receive.”
9. The Audition Mindset:
“When you go into an audition room, shift your mindset. The goal isn’t to 'get' the role. That’s casting’s job. Your job is to reveal the life of the character, to fulfill their needs authentically and truthfully. Approach the role in an exciting, unpredictable, and honest way. Trust that your work is enough to fulfill the audition's demands, and walk out of that room with your head held high, knowing you did your best.”
10. Life as Teacher:
“Life will teach you lessons better than any mentor could. But it’s my job to help you take those life lessons and apply them to your work. By cultivating your craft, you can bring the material you’re given to life by infusing it with your own experiences. The self-discovery you undergo in this process will surprise you. What you’re seeking is already within you because you are alive and full of potential.”
11. Why Are You Doing This?:
“Every artist, every actor, must ask themselves why they’re pursuing this path. Are you doing this to become rich and famous? If so, be aware that this journey depends on external validation, which is a bumpy and powerless path. But if you’re doing this to tell stories, to shift consciousness, or to help just one person by revealing the human condition, then that’s a different story. Your power lies in knowing that you are the instrument of light, revealing your true self through your work. That is your purpose.”
12. Embracing Imperfection:
“You are a human being. It’s in your nature to make mistakes, to fail, to fall down, to get messy and dirty. But I want you to understand something: your desire for perfection is what’s keeping you from doing the work you want to do. Honor your mistakes and failures. Celebrate them. You must allow yourself to be human. A perfect actor is one who embraces their imperfections, who understands that being human is messy, painful, and real. Don't be scared of that; honor it.”
13. Adjustments and Craft:
“Adjustments are there to give you an experience that can open you to the truth of the circumstances. But once the adjustment is made, you must ask yourself: Did it help me understand how to repeat that moment in an unpredictable way next time? The adjustment is not the craft; it’s an exploration of the moment. Your craft is about finding what works for you and your instrument, developing a process that resonates with you. Keep honing your craft so you can continue to grow, but don’t become dependent on adjustments.”
14. Self-Discovery in Art:
“The lessons Life offers will help you grow, but it’s your responsibility to take those lessons and apply them to your work. Cultivate a craft that allows you to bring the material to life by breathing your own experiences into it. In the process, you’ll learn more about yourself, about the relationships you have with your circumstances, and you’ll be surprised by what you discover within you. The answers you’re looking for are already within you because you are alive!”
15. Art as Liberation:
“Art is meant to free us from the enslavement of our mind’s conditioning. It generously allows us to liberate ourselves during the creative process and inspires us to share our soul’s voice with the world.”
16. Strife as Inspiration:
“No one ever said it was going to be easy. There will be seasons of struggle and strife, but it’s from those accumulated moments that your greatest inspirations will arise.”
17. The Artist as a Warrior:
“The moment you take on the role of an artist, you also sign up to be a warrior for the greater good.”
18. Self-Prioritization:
“Dear Human Being, sometimes you must put yourself first—for everyone’s sake. At other times, you must let go of everyone—for your own sake. And sometimes, you must let go of your own self—for God’s sake.”
19. Heart Over Mind:
“Sometimes, the impulses of the heart must outweigh the instincts of the mind.”
20. The Power Within:
“No person or thing can ever separate you from the source of your creation. There is no one powerful enough, nor any organization strong enough, to dismantle what your artistic impulses set out to manifest. The most worthwhile success an artist can experience comes from the trustworthy ally within.”
21. Trusting Yourself:
“Trust yourself without fear or doubt, and everything you do will be right.”
22. Embrace Life’s Ride:
“Ride life’s rollercoaster with your hands high in the sky.”
23. Alchemist of Your Life:
“You are the alchemist of your own life. But if you are not willing to change your reality, who else can?”
24. Becoming the Answer:
“When we cannot find the answer, we must BECOME the answer! Having faith in our own ability to transform obstacles is not ego-driven. It is simply necessary!”
25. Letting Go:
“Here’s the deal: We cannot cling to relationships that are not meant to stick. There should be no shame or guilt in letting go. Sometimes, we are meant to share what we need to and then move on. Sometimes, the cake is baked.”
26. Finding Your Tribe:
“You will know your tribe when you can live your most authentic self in their presence.”
27. Trusting Your Intuition:
“Once you realize that you are your best guide, you will begin to trust your own intuition rather than depending on others’ experiences.”
28. Moving On for Your Well-being:
“If it is not good to you, for you, or about you… it is time to move on in order to open the door to that which is good to you, for you, and about you.”
29. Resistance as Opportunity:
“Every circumstance you meet with resistance is an opportunistic mirror reflecting a path of discovery towards the breakthrough you have been seeking.”
30. Finding Inspiration in the Dark:
“May you see the light in the dark. And may you see the truth over all untruths. May anything that disturbs your peace dissolve. And may all that has invaded your well-being be your greatest inspiration for your own self-realization.”
31. The Conscious Spark:
“Determining where you are right now is the conscious spark in understanding what you need to do to get to where you want to go.”
32. Light and Darkness:
“Just as a ray of light cannot show itself without the help of its opposing force, we also have to come to the realization that our own light shines brightest by our darkest hours, illuminating our true nature.”
33. Beating the Odds:
“What in the world makes you think that you are unworthy of beating the odds? If not you, then who? The odds are not against you. Your thoughts are. Time to change that channel.”
34. Owning Your Power:
“You have to realize and own your power. You are the author of your own life. You are your sense of security. You are what keeps you going. Never give your power away.”
35. Warrior of the Light:
“You become a warrior of the light once you realize the darkness was your path to it.”
36. Facing Fear:
“When you come face-to-face with fear, don’t you dare run away. Look at it in the eye, grin, flip it the bird, and choose to participate in the staring contest of your life.”
37. Perseverance and Growth:
“The choice to persevere or crumble in the face of trying times lives solely in the mind of each and every individual. Before choosing, take note that within every obstacle dwells a portal of growth…An invitation to one’s own awakening.”
38. Overthinking's Danger:
“The danger of overthinking is that it can easily become an addiction, preventing you from trusting your gut instincts.”
39. Truth Over Being Right:
“Short circuit the need to be right and jumpstart the pursuit of the truth. Only then can there be an honest opening of change towards the improvement of present circumstances.”
40. The Artist’s Role:
“It is not for the artist, the awoken soul, and the spiritually connected to join the herd. He or she must be the herder. To be the lighthouse in the storm. To be the conductor orchestrating a movement of goodness and truth.”
41. Awakening to Strength:
“You have not been forgotten. You have been turned around and upside down to awaken you to how strong you truly are. This is the path to your forgotten power.”
42. Darkness as the Path to Light:
“All the darkness that you have experienced has always been your vehicle to the light.”
43. Hardship and Victory:
“Within every human being lives a story of hardship and victory.”
44. Persevering Through Trials:
“Persevere courageously through your darkest trials, for in them awakens your soul’s purpose.”
45. The Caterpillar's Lesson:
“If a caterpillar can do it, so can you!”
46. Competition's Downfall:
“Those that feel competition are walking on their Achilles’ heel.”
47. Losing Purity of Intention:
“Once it becomes burdensome, it has lost its purity of intention.”
48. Crying and Laughing Through Pain:
"Cry because it hurts…and then laugh until it hurts…because you got through it!”
49. Seeking the Truth:
“If you are still seeking the truth, you are most likely missing it.”
50. The Power of Your Light:
“There is no-thing out there big enough, strong enough, or even dark enough to crush the enormity of the light that illuminates within.”
51. Rising Above:
“Those that attempt to bring others down are already living in the depths of their own deep, dark well. Rather than joining them there, light the way to a useful consciousness.”
52. Adversities and Greatness:
“Your greatest adversities map out your journey to discovering your own greatness.”
53. The Universe's Support:
“The universe has no interest in playing mind games with you. It is simply supporting you to fulfill your soul’s purpose.”
54. Self-Reproach and Contribution:
“You were not designed for self-reproach. You were created to contribute to the continuity of universal growth and expansion in your own unique, perfect, and masterful way.”
55. Smothering Your Own Flame:
“You will never burn brightly if you spend all of your energy smothering your own flames.”
56. Inner Peace:
“There are no words, possessions, relationships, or successes that can ever come close to replacing the invaluable nature of one’s inner peace.”
57. Connection to Purpose:
“There is absolutely no mistaking when you are connected to your life’s purpose. Your heart will feel blissful and ache at the same time. That is the language of how love claims its presence.”
58. Fear and the Ego:
“Once fear has slipped into your consciousness, you know the ego is trying to spoon-feed you lies. It is a petty trick that only has merit in a world of decrepit illusions.”
59. Living in Imperfection:
“Every moment alive is an opportunity to practice the perfection of the soul through the imperfections of the human form.”
60. Belief Beyond Self-Esteem:
“You have to believe in yourself beyond self-esteem. You have to journey into who you are to know that all those ‘differences’, all that ‘weirdness’, and even all that ‘internal chaos’ is what makes you a shining star.”
61. Divine Birthright:
"By divine design, you are deserving, worthy, capable, loved, and lovable. That is an absolute undeniable truth. Any institution that cannot recognize this birthright has been poisoned by ignorance.”
62. Smothering Your Fire:
“There will always be something or someone that will try to smother your fire. Don’t get twisted, confused, or brainwashed. See it for what it truly is… A confirmation of how brightly you burn.”
63. Ego and Self-Doubt:
“The only thing that stands in our way is our ego and what we are taught marrying themselves to say that we are not enough. And the truth of the matter is we are more than enough. We have always been more than enough.”
64. Soul Determination and Victory:
“Your heart’s soul determination is the key ingredient in transmuting anything that has caused the illusions of hopelessness into the reality of victory.”
65. Dimming Your Light:
“The only reason someone will attempt to diminish your light is because it is too bright for their awakening eyes at this time.”
66. Self-Love and Boundaries:
“Love yourself enough to choose what/who is good to you, for you, and about you. Never compromise when it comes to these three necessities.”
67. True Strength:
“Don’t get it twisted. Strength is not achieved by a mask of being ‘badass.’ Strength is not achieved by how much muscle we can pack onto our body. Strength is not achieved from all our successes. Strength is not achieved from our social status or political clout. Though these may all be somewhat worthy of celebration at times, they are all temporary and can cloud us into thinking they define who and what we are towards the ‘others.’ It is our perseverance in overcoming the ‘impossible’ that allows for true inner strength to be rewarded, that is not dependent on any external value. The journey to the true Self, remembering, respecting, and opening our heart to love at the core level and being able to spread that love and respect to others. This is the real definition of strength that can never fade. It cannot compete with any transient token. All else lives in shadows compared to this mind-blowing journey. Never give up on what is good and true. And no matter how trying, no matter how hard things may seem or get, never ever give up on your Self. You will find all the strength you need, even the strength you had no idea you had, just by the journey itself.”
68. Awareness and Self-Reliance
“As your awareness ripens, you will begin to see that everything you expected to receive from others can actually be given to yourself, without the risk of disappointment.”
69. Personal Storms as Growth
“Do not mistake your personal storm as punishment. These circumstances are the wake-up call necessary for you to understand that you are your own healer. You are your own hero.”
70. The Creative Warrior's Resilience
“When most exclaim, ‘I am done!’ the creative warrior quietly states, ‘I am just beginning.’”
71. Moving Mountains
“You were meant to move mountains. Don’t get overwhelmed by the enormity of your mission. Get encouraged by your victory over it. You’re about to emerge as the slayer of limitations.”
72. Trust Your Inner Guardian
“Stop creating stories in your mind to protect circumstances from being what they are. You were given feelings and instincts as a divine cell tower connecting you to the Truth. Don’t be afraid to trust that internal guardian.”
73. Beauty Within the Ashes
“Once you make it out of the fire, you will come to realize the beauty within the ashes.”
74. Spiritual Alignment and Authenticity
“Being spiritually aligned doesn’t mean we need to put up with BS to save face. It means keeping it real face-to-face. Oh, and it also doesn’t mean we need to quit drinking coffee.”
75. The Journey of Life
“You will live. You will struggle. You will not give up. You will learn. You will overcome. You will help others suffering. You will love. You will go home. You will finally rest. You will remember it was worth it.”
76. Mastering Your Own Creation
“Stop wasting your time seeking the approval of others. Use that energy to become your own masterful creation, worthy of contributing great things to this planet.”
77. Innate Wisdom and Life Changes
“While you are preoccupied listening to everyone else’s way, you are ignoring the innate wisdom that already has your way. You will begin to see changes in your life once you accept that you have already been given what you are looking for.”
78. Letting Go for Renewal
“Is it ok to let it all go? Absolutely. Let it all go. Let yourself go. Give yourself a chance to breathe. Allow yourself freedom from the shackles of expectation. Dissolve lies of inferiority. Release the weight of heavy relationships. Give yourself space to restore, renew, and recalibrate. Transform your circumstances into the fruit of your own stunning creation. Trust in your unique journey.”
79. The Power of Love
“One drop of love from your heart could feel like an ocean to another. There is no need to be so cautious when giving from what you were created.”
80. Realizing the Secret Within
“Maybe there are no big secrets hiding out waiting to be revealed. Maybe you just have to make things less complicated, less mysterious. Maybe you have to realize that you are the secret. Maybe that is the secret waiting to be revealed.”
81. The Simplicity of Truth
“The truth is simple. It does not need bells and whistles to reveal itself. It does, however, require awareness to decipher between it and a representation of it.”
82. The Artist's Mission
“This is the job of the artist: To see what others are not willing to see. To face what others are not willing to face. To use an anthem of love and compassion, marching into the emotional trenches of the human condition, and facing it head-on in pursuit of a better tomorrow.”
83. Transforming Struggles into Strengths
“One day you will come to realize that all those things you thought would destroy you are the very ingredients for your greatest contributions.”
84. Becoming the Light in the Storm
“It is our responsibility to become what we are fighting for rather than mirroring what we are against. We must be the lighthouse in the storm, rather than allowing ourselves to get swept up and lost in all its darkness.”
85. Unconditional Love and Compassion
“No matter how much it can hurt at times, YOU have to keep your heart open in order to live compassionately, forgive, inspire, encourage, support, and love without the expectation of receiving an open heart, compassion, forgiveness, inspiration, support, or love in return. YOU have to be the light when others cannot find it.”
86. Embracing Imperfection
“Be beautifully ugly. Be gracefully messy. Be perfectly imperfect. And don’t you dare apologize… for any of it!”
87. Finding Perfection in Truth
“Your truth is your perfection. In the very thing you consider your obstacle lives your opening.”
88. The Intimate Relationship with Yourself
“The closest and most intimate relationship you will ever experience is with your own self, aligned with your innate Spirit. This relationship must be nurtured to become one of limitless trust in order to faithfully know what serves your best and highest good.”
89. Curing Hatred and Bigotry
“Hatred and bigotry are the ultimate flaws of the soul, producing diseases of the mind in the form of ignorance, fear, and violence. The cure starts right now, with each and every one of us standing up and transmuting such deplorable poisons.”
90. The Artist's Responsibility to Humanity
“Through our work, we as artists and co-creators have, and always have had, the influence and responsibility to shift humanity toward a more peaceful, compassionate, and loving consciousness.”
91. Remembering the Power of the Heart
“He appeared… ‘But why have you forgotten the power of your heart? Can you not feel it begging to be remembered? It already houses the answers to all that you are trying to ‘figure out’. It is not through your ambition of overcoming the obstacle, dear one… it is through your heart that it is all transmuted.’ …and then He vanished.”
92. Rising Above Mental Drama
“Engaging in the mental drama of futile issues is like requesting a dose of poison and expecting to feel vibrant. Rise above. Heal your heart, silence your mind, and awaken to the innate peace within by meditating on what is of true importance.”
93. Finding Your Own Path
“No one can tell you how to get there. One can only suggest a way. There is not ‘THE’ way to get there. There is ‘A’ way. But in the end, YOU choose what in your heart will get you there.”
94. Transmuting Broken Trust
“Once the trust vow is broken, rather than spending energy on mending a false relationship, use that same energy to transmute internal misalignments that continue to invite these relationships into your experience.”
95. Creative Liberation through Adversity
“You will come to realize that everything you thought would destroy you will become the ingredients for your greatest contributions. Within all that messy turmoil, if you dig deep enough, you will find the key to your own creative liberation. And once you have learned your lessons well, you will use all you have learned, married with your heart and soul, to compassionately help others find their own special key.”
96. Aligning with Your Purpose
“No one can find the way to your purpose for you. This is your life’s journey, and you have taken on the responsibility as a soul in human form to get back to matching the vibration of creation itself in order to achieve what you were meant to accomplish. It is through this path that you align with ultimate fulfillment.”
97. Transformation Starts Now
“Are you stuck? Overwhelmed by obstacles? Getting in your own way? Feeling lost, frustrated, discouraged, and even defeated? If you are ready for the truth… and ready for transformation… If you are really ready… Then the time is now. To get inspired. To get creative. To get empowered. And to get back to you. You are not as powerless as you’ve been led to believe!”
98. Surrendering to the Moment
“We cannot plan the moment, just as, despite what we may think, we cannot plan our life. However, we can surrender with purpose to the moment, because in that surrender lives all the possibilities that we think ‘planning’ will give us.”
99. Finding Peace Through Surrender
“Eventually, things become so complicated, so terrifying, so chaotic, that everything short circuits… Everything stops. Suddenly, there is foreign silence. A strange peace. An unfamiliar perspective. You begin to breathe. You begin to surrender. You begin to connect to a divine intelligence within that changes the channel from ‘Why me?’ to ‘OK, I’m listening.’”100. “It is not so much our naked body that reveals our story or vulnerability. That may be the ego trying to compare and validate itself in physical form. It is the courage of exposing our naked heart—with all its grit and glory—that fearlessly reveals our true self, our struggles, and our most intimate authenticity.”
100. The Sacred Call to Act
"I think it takes a very special actor… I think it takes an actor… that has a very open heart… I think it takes an actor… that is willing to step into the unknown and take that risk over and over again… I think it takes an actor… that will be vulnerable, sensitive, and honest… I think it takes an actor… that will dig deep into themselves… and commit to seeing humanity as an unfiltered reflection of who we really are… all the while serving the story through their personal soul’s compass. Acting is not just a job. It is a calling. If you are called to the work, to the craft, then take it seriously… it is not just an art form; it is a sacred art form that you get to share with the world. I think when you approach your art with that sense of purpose and responsibility, your work will have a life force of its own."
101. Awakening and Illuminating Truth
“If you are among the awoken and conscious, you are not meant to fit in. You are here to awaken and bring consciousness to those confused in the slumber of the ego, following the shadows cast by the light. You are here as a warrior to illuminate the totality of light so all those shadows dissolve into the all-encompassing truth.”
102. Love at the Core
“When really considered, everything we do in life has love at its core. Every action we take, somehow, someway, is about love—either getting it or not getting it, either giving it or not giving it. Whether it is receiving it or giving it, it is all about love. Love is who we are. It always has been and always will be. Fact check that as a REAL political statement!”
103. Storms and Self-Healing
“Do not mistake your personal storm as punishment. These circumstances are the wake-up call necessary for you to understand that you are your own healer. You are your own hero.”
104. Transcendence Within
“I want you to know that everything you are going through, you can transcend. You do not need someone to show you the way. The way is already within your heart. Listen and feel its message. You may need to crack it open. It may even hurt a bit. But inside your heart center is the recollection of the way. I promise you, it is there, waiting to be remembered.”
105. Faith in Yourself
“As an artist, as a creative human being, you must practice faith in yourself rather than squandering it on outside influences. At the core level, you are everything you will ever need. Imagine that! You—here and now—have always had and always will have exactly what you need when you need it.”
106. Moving Mountains
“You were meant to move mountains. Do not get overwhelmed by the enormity of your mission. Get courage from your victory over it. You are about to emerge as the slayer of limitations.”
107. Transitions in Relationships
“People will come in and out of your life for very specific reasons. As relationships transition, try not to hold onto an illusion of what they were ‘supposed’ to be. Allow the relationship to pass and celebrate in gratitude the lessons learned, while also creating space for a new teacher to emerge, one that is ready to match and challenge your evolution.”
108. Embracing the Unknown
“Your trying to ‘figure it all out’ is the very thing that is getting in the way. Let’s keep it real… It’s okay to not know. Be a student of the unknown. It’s more fun that way!”
109. Success and Helping Others
“What matters is not the magnitude or identity of your successes, but what you do with them to help others experience their own.”
110. Compassion and Healing
“Like a wounded child, others may become reactive because of their pain. A hurt heart knows no rationality as it yearns to be witnessed and healed. We all need the awareness that everyone is doing the best they can with the tools they’ve been given. So have heart, and give heart to those who may be lost in their suffering.”
111. Wisdom Through Compassion
“It is not so much our knowledge that makes us wise, but our compassion. Our compassion is the teacher’s edition to the collective problem of unawareness that humans still exhibit toward one another. It is our greatest tool, our greatest education, our greatest strategy for a better tomorrow.”
112. Collaboration, Not Competition
“Why focus your energies on trying to be ‘better’ than another? That’s just insecure energy from your own personal drama. Perhaps commit to the choice of being better than YOU were yesterday in mind, body, and spirit. And if you can help someone else along the way, even better! Our only real job is to self-evolve and then help each other do the same. It’s NOT about competition—it’s all about COLLABORATION. But we’ve gotten lost in the brain fog of militant/political/social power, status, greed, etc., which are all low energies, corrosive, egoic, and very fleeting. Self-evolution, accompanied by and resulting in a collective evolution—that’s eternal. Coming together in support of each other, now watch the world change from fear to flourishing creation. Until then, we go on sleepwalking, fighting, hating, poisoning, and destroying, rather than awakening, living in peace, healing, loving, and creating in harmony. A dream? Maybe. A reality? Possibly. A choice? Definitely!”
113. The Power Within
“Rise above what you are told and perceive as limitations. Know in your heart that the same inexplicable, miraculous power that created you is the same power within you and has the miraculous ability to make all your impossibilities possible.”
114. Every Moment is a New Chance
“Every moment we get is a second chance to make now better than before. Never take it for granted, as our time here is quick. And never make excuses for not moving forward. We are the heroes of our own life’s story and must take accountability for its realization. Stay strong. Persevere. Overcome your ‘impossibilities.’”
115. Creating Your Own Path
“When one door closes, do not waste a moment getting swallowed up by the lies of self-doubt. Cut a hole in the wall and make your own damn door! That’s how fierce you are!”
116. Light in the Darkest Hours
“Just as a ray of light cannot show itself without the help of its opposing force, we must come to the realization that our own light shines brightest in our darkest hours, illuminating our true nature.”
117. Life’s Unprepared Lessons
“You can read all the books in the world, but they will never prepare you for the actual lessons life itself will teach. Stay open, aware, and conscious. You will find your way.”
118. The Human Story
“Within every human being lives a story of hardship and a story of victory.”
119. Clutter of the Ego
“What you seek is already there for you, hidden beneath the clutter of all the thoughts that serve nothing other than empowering a disembodied ego fighting a dirty fight to be something other than a minuscule, disembodied thought.”
120. Trusting the Journey
“Even though it will take a lifetime, never give up on what your heart believes is good and true. Along the way, there will be many twists and turns challenging your belief system all the while adjusting it. Trust that all has been set in place so that your soul can discover and experience the greatest possible evolution contracted for its journey.”
121. Beautifully Imperfect
“Be beautifully ugly. Be gracefully messy… Be perfectly imperfect… And don’t you dare apologize… For any of it…”
122. The Healing Process
“Dear Human Being… Dear Artist… Healing is not always going to be experienced as what may be labelled as ‘positive’. It has taken an enormous accumulation of traumatic and emotional toxins to result in a present state of stagnation. As these stored poisons energetically release from Life, there might possibly be an unpleasant cleanse mirroring the cause. Be what it may, trust in the light within the healing process. There awaits not only personal and artistic freedom, but also a delicious sense of peace and wellbeing to be enjoyed within daily Life.”
123. Light and Love in Action
“NOW is the time to put into practice words like ‘light and love’. We must come together and marry the power of our minds with the power of our hearts in pursuit of shifting destructive energies to that which will protect and heal our beloved brothers and sisters from any and all present and future catastrophic obstacles.”
124. The Creative Warrior’s Beginning
“When most exclaim: ‘I am done!’ The creative warrior quietly states: ‘I am just beginning.’”
125. Clutching to the Familiar
“It is actually our clutching to the familiar that causes our own demise as it deprives us of the evolution that can only happen by experiencing Life through the lessons stimulated by the unknown.”
126. Embracing Solitude and Growth
“Life is too short to be waiting around for others to catch up to where you have already evolved. Do not be bitter in your solitude. Be active in doing something positive with it. Be the teacher of truth. Be the spark of transformation. Be the lighthouse in the storm.”
127. Overcoming Resistance
“Becoming honestly aware of where we allow resistance to be our ‘safe’ space is the first step in overcoming all that stands in the way of our personal evolution.”
128. Becoming the Answer
“When we cannot find the answer, we must BECOME the answer. Having faith in our own ability to transform obstacles is not ego-ic. It is simply necessary.”
129. Stimulus for Change
"For change and growth to occur, there MUST be a stimulus that initiates a pursuit into what’s good and true. Often this knocks on one’s life door as a tidal wave of obstacles. The more difficult one’s journey may seem, the stronger one becomes. Stay intent! The power of patience, passion, and perseverance must never be underestimated.”
130. Scars and Compassion
“Allow your scars to be your guide for compassion.”
131. Auditioning for Life’s Roles
“Maybe it is not so much that you are auditioning as a test to see if you are good enough for a specific role… but that the universe is auditioning the specific role as a test to be sure that the role is good enough for you.”
132. The Path of the Lone Lightbearer
“One’s solitude is the tangible sign that an individual’s path is not meant to join that of the herd’s. He or she is missioned to be an instrument of light illuminating the path back to the true Self… leading the journey home… communing in the One.”
133. The Miracle of Obstacles
“The miracle of the most complex obstacle is… It awakens the seeker of truth and authenticity within. It stimulates the warrior of light and wellbeing. It ignites the path to self-love. It leads to a journey home.”
134. Self-Trust and Intuition
“There can be no greater peace of mind than the self-trust one inevitably obtains through the unrelenting practice of universal awareness resulting in a perfectly aligned and abundantly useful intuition.”
135. The Actor’s Journey
"My approach of working with actors is that I don’t believe there is THE way to get there in the work. I believe there is A way, and that way is really about what resonates and stimulates the actor to do, and continue to do, unpredictable, exciting, truthful, authentic, honest work in relation to the written material or the circumstances at hand. I think when we start to hone in on just one way, it does us a disservice as actors because it locks us into thinking that if ‘this way’ doesn’t work, then we are not good at what we do, and that’s not true. I think with any kind of art form, we find what works for us, what we can rely on, what has our back, and we continue to use that and cultivate it to create a toolbox and a support system for an art form that we love. That’s really what my objective is—my spine of this entire studio is about serving the actor individually and continuing to allow them to expand, grow, exercise, and challenge their instrument to explore the entire color wheel of the human condition in a safe and challenging environment. I think that’s what makes us unique, because it takes all these approaches and gives the actor an opportunity to experiment with those approaches to see what really resonates and works for him or her. It's inspiring because you see how different we all are, with a common goal of revealing the truth of this ‘pretend’ world and bringing it alive with ultimate truth that we call ‘acting.’"
136. Acting and Authenticity
"No, I don’t think acting is about pretending. I think acting is about just the opposite of that. Acting asks of us to look at the human condition in a way that doesn’t allow for a pretty little filter to be put upon what life really holds. Life really holds a series of struggles, trials, tribulations, and for many people, a lot of suffering. As an actor, we have to really look at that with a magnifying glass and find that within us in order to reveal it. That’s not for the faint of heart—it takes a lot of will, strength, courage, and self-introspection to find that within oneself and then have the strength and bravery to reveal it without filter, in all its messiness, grit, and glory. The beauty of that is, when you have this type of art form, it gives the possibility that someone witnessing that art form will be changed. Transformation can happen for another, individually and collectively. To be able to have someone witness your experience validates it, allowing you to know that you’re not alone on this journey we call ‘Life.’ The beauty of acting is that’s what we’re doing all the time—we’re telling stories of human beings going through struggles and strife and saying, ‘Hey Listen, this is what WE go through, and you’re not alone!’ And the hope is that somehow, by witnessing that from an audience perspective, some kind of healing will happen or at least an awakening. Acting not only becomes this amazing art form, but it also becomes an amazing service to humanity and mankind as a whole."
137. The Actor’s True Self
“I think one of the biggest obstacles actors face is this idea that they are not enough. That who they are, at the core level, is not enough to bring to the material at hand. And so that’s when acting no longer becomes fun. That’s when acting becomes complicated. That’s when acting becomes really heavy and stiff, and there’s like this paralysis in the space because they are trying to fit themselves into this idea approach of what they think is supposed to be revealed in regards to the circumstances. What’s missing is we’re looking for you to reveal yourself in those circumstances. We’re looking for you to bring the accumulation of your life experiences and put them in these circumstances and see what happens. It’s when we get away from the idea and the blueprint of how we think things are supposed to go and what we are supposed to be that we start to experience this exhalation in the work. We start to experience this freedom in the work. We start to experience fun in the work because we then allow ourselves to ride the rollercoaster of the scene. We’re not shackled by ideas. We’re running free by using ourselves as the instrument and seeing where it goes in those circumstances. And when we allow ourselves to really own who we are, acting no longer becomes complicated. It makes sense. Things make sense. It becomes easy. It becomes fun. It becomes free. So I think the more we escape from the idea of what we think we are supposed to be and own who we are, the more our work becomes this alive thing that we get to witness. And it’s beautiful because we see this human being having a real experience in a public way. It’s kind of cool!”
138. The Light After Darkness
“Sometimes it is through the darkest and most inexplicable of circumstances that we are led to the light. Those same circumstances that we may think are breaking our hearts are the same circumstances that are actually breaking our hearts open. Opening our minds, bodies, and spirits and awakening us to something greater than we could have ever imagined. Those same circumstances begin to help lead the path to a greater purpose, which otherwise would have never even been a thought. And sometimes those same circumstances lead us to a tribe. A tribe that meets through the most unlikely and even treacherous of circumstances. A tribe that is generous in knowledge, creativity, heart, compassion, and spirit. And because of those circumstances, we RECOGNIZE each other. We SEE each other. We UNDERSTAND each other. We CARE about each other. We SUPPORT each other. And yes, we LOVE each other from one human to another. And together, we learn that once we make it out of the fire, there will be and is beauty within the ashes that result in our greatest contributions!”
140. Embracing Imperfection in Acting
“I think one of the most crucial things any actor can do is probably one of the most important things an actor can do. It’s really come to terms and endow their own humanity. And what I mean by that is giving themselves a break to understand that they are not perfect and they don’t have to be perfect. That they are allowed to not have it together all the time. That they are allowed to be messy sometimes. That they are allowed to not look like they are on the cover of Vogue or GQ. That it is okay for them to have uncomfortable feelings sometimes. That it’s okay for them to fumble, fall down, or even fail sometimes. I think we get so brainwashed by, especially social media, that we are supposed to be a certain way, look a certain way, and be so perfect. We are supposed to be literally Face-Tuned and Life-Tuned to God knows what, and that actually affects us as artists. Because it basically says that ‘We need to live in our artificiality to do the work we are supposed to be doing.’ And the truth of the matter is, the real work is going to come from our authenticity. And our authenticity is that we are perfectly imperfect. We are imperfectly perfect by being who we are. And I think when we do that as actors, we really start to give ourselves permission to really be and own who we are. There is a sense of self that we bring to the work that actually brings our work alive more than we could have ever imagined. This is why I always encourage everyone I am working with to just go to a coffee shop, go to a grocery store, go to a restaurant, and just look at people. Look at their interactions. Look at the way they relate to other people. Look at the way they relate to themselves when they are by themselves. Nobody has it ‘together,’ and nobody is ‘perfect.’ We all have ‘quirks,’ but that makes us beautiful. That is what makes us human. That is what makes us interesting to watch. That is what makes stories interesting. It’s that we are all observing this dynamic that brings us all together in our imperfections and brings us together by knowing, like, ‘Oh, man, you don’t have it together? I don’t have it together! Your story is interesting. How do you try to get it together? Because this is my story, and this is how I try to get it together.’”
Here are the titles and quotes for the next batch:
141. Discovering Your Power
“Listen, I can tell you right off the bat, you are not even giving yourself credit for what you are capable of right now. You are using the words: ‘I can’t,’ as an excuse for you not to take a step deeper into who you are and to know who you are and to come into the power of who you are. You have to realize that within you lives everything and anything. You just have to be willing to actually start digging deeper so you can access those amazing qualities, but also the most unmentionable parts of who you are that you can then bring to your work. You know, we are so taught that the answers live outside of ourselves, that we are always looking outside of us to fulfill us, but the truth of the matter is we have to start learning to dig deeper within and know who we are. Learn our power and then be willing to own that, to bring that to our work. But you have to know something: If you stop where you are right now, you are literally giving yourself an excuse to not succeed. You have to give yourself every excuse TO succeed, and that means going further and further and deeper and deeper and never stopping until you come to terms with everything that you are. YOU ARE NOT AS MINIMAL AS YOU ARE ALLOWING YOURSELF TO BELIEVE. And once you come close to even tasting how powerful you are as a human being and as an artist, your whole world is going to start lighting up!”
142. Pilot Season Empowerment
"So, it’s Pilot Season! For many actors, this is a time of great opportunity and excitement. But for others, it can be a time of disappointment, disregard, and even depression. Whatever the case may be, I want you to realize that you are the pilot of your season. This means you have the opportunity to control how you experience your reality during this time based on how you utilize your thoughts and energies. Are you squandering them in overwhelm, jealousy, competition, stress, and helplessness? Or are you being fruitful with those energies by using them towards the creative process, whether it's opportunities coming to you from an outside source or opportunities you are more than capable of creating for yourself? My point is that you are not a helpless victim in this industry! You are an active participant in this industry, capable of creating a reality that serves you based on how you align your thoughts, energies, and potentials to work for you."
143. Defining Moments in Art
"I think it is those moments when you feel like you just cannot go any further—the moments when you feel like you are going to crumble to the ground, fall apart—that actually become the moments that define you as an actor and an artist. It is in those moments that you are asked to question what you are doing and why you are doing it. When you confront those questions, you get in touch with the love you have for the art form you’ve chosen. It asks you to pull yourself up by your bootstraps, no matter the circumstances surrounding you, and find that fire within you, that passion, that perseverance to overcome any obstacles standing in your way. That way, you can laser-focus your mind and your intention on fulfilling the pursuit of your dream, whether it’s acting, music, painting, or whatever form of art you are pursuing. Those are the moments that expand your vocabulary as an artist and help you understand the human condition. In those moments, you realize how strong you are."
144. The Power of Transformation
"We have all witnessed some incredible victories, evolutions, expansions, awakenings, healings, and transformations around our great big globe. Some of them are due to nature’s divine intervention, some to happenstance, and some to the ever-present light and goodness within humanity. But we have also seen inexplicable tragedies, losses, suffering, despair, confusion, anger, rage, destruction—some due to natural disasters, some to happenstance, and some due to the ever-present darkness and evils within humanity. And amid this rollercoaster of ups and downs, one thing remains certain: we’ve made it through to another year on this great big globe. Depending on the lens we choose to see life through, it could either be a blessing or a struggle. We always say the coming year will be the year, and it is. It is the year because it’s all we have, and we are still here, kicking and breathing—we are alive. This new year, like every new year, gives us a chance to take what we've learned through all the highs and lows and build upon it. Let’s not make obligatory resolutions, but make personal choices that allow each of us to be better than we were yesterday, not just for ourselves but for all. We can take a look at what we don’t want in life and choose what we do want. We can face what no longer serves us and cast it out to make room for what does. It’s time to stop settling for impossibility and to find the internal strength and power we each possess to lift each other to our highest potential. Let's rise to the occasion of what it means to be evolved, living in an evolved world. With everything we’ve been given—the good and the bad, the dark and the light—let's use it all as the creative flame to rise like the Phoenix to our most beautiful selves today. The power to transform lives within the palm of our hands."
145. The Path of Personal Transformation
"Sometimes, you have to take a good, hard look at things for what they truly are in order to identify how they are affecting your life. You have to be willing to make important and often challenging choices that are good for you, about you, and to you. You have to be willing to let go of toxic thoughts, relationships, and behaviors. You have to be the stimulus to your own transformation. You have to become the answer you are seeking. You have to claim your own personal power to become the person you want to be, the artist you want to be, the creative warrior you want to be. You have to know who you really are, what you are truly capable of, and what is innately within you in order to start accessing that personal journey to freedom. And sometimes that means you have to pull yourself up by your own bootstraps and #smudge all the toxic $h!+ away. And then, if and when someone else is ready, help them do the same."
146. The Power of Feedback
"Listen, as actors and artists, we are constantly confronted with feedback, opinions, criticisms, and reviews. But we have a choice to make. Do we allow ourselves to take that information and use it to better who we are? Not that we aren't whole as we are, but there is always room for growth. Do we examine it and see how it can expand us as artists and people? Or do we allow that information to be an anchor that sinks our ship? When we do that, we start to believe that we are not enough. It’s like looking into a broken mirror. When we look into that broken mirror, what do we see? A distorted reflection of ourselves. But is that the truth? Is the distortion the truth? Or is the observer the truth? When we believe things that tell us we are broken or not enough, we start running on a rollercoaster that leads to destruction. As the great Bianca Del Rio says, ‘Not Today Satan!’ You have to choose wisely. Take the note, but do not hold onto it!"
147. The Actor as a ‘Storyliver’
"Let's discuss the necessary self-exploration when it comes to approaching character and the world he, she, or they reside in. It is not so much about the actor being just a ‘storyteller’ as an instrument for what a writer has created. It is beyond that. It is about allowing oneself to be a ‘storyliver’ in the world of the circumstances. It is also not so much about the actor trying to find a way to morph that writing and that character so it is a ‘comfortable fit.’ But more so, about really exploring within to discover that character’s essence, life, and truth within the actor so that character’s life can then be revealed and lived fully and truthfully in the space by the actor. It is a self-discovery process married with awareness, observation, research, taking in all aspects of oneself and life, and of course, the power of how it all stimulates the actor’s imagination. The process can be intimidating at times depending on the circumstances. One that requires the actor to courageously dive deep within. And also one that asks the actor to go about compassionately understanding humanity and how all humans function individually based on one’s own history, experiences, tools, and the ability to survive day to day as life unfolds. As the actor goes on this journey, he, she, or they will find that everything needed already resides within so long as the heartfelt commitment to finding the truth is present. This is where transformation happens not only within the actor, not only within the artist, not only within the work itself, but also within all those witnessing the moving artistry and truth that the actor lives on the stage and screen."
148. The Power of Art in Healing
"With all the recent tragic events happening in our world, we had quite an emotionally charged week at the studio. All these horrific events beg to question what does it all mean? Why does it all happen? When will it change? Will it ever get better? Does it get better? When will we learn? When will we wake up? What am I doing? What can I do? Does it even matter? Well, it does matter. And you matter. And it will get better. It does get better. I hope this lecture serves as a reminder to know that you matter. I hope it serves to inspire you to know that your work matters. As actors, as artists, as co-creators, we all have a calling and even a mission, that is capable of shifting some of the darkest realities and consciousness that humanity still has to face with the objective of creating a better today and tomorrow…provided that we take on that role responsibly and with commitment, accountability, respect, compassion, awareness, insight, and pure
intent. Never forget that you, your voice, your instrument, your actions, and your work are infinitely more powerful than you have been led to believe. Never underestimate that your individual creative power has the potential to uplift and even heal those who you may never even know in this lifetime. But like a pebble being gently tossed into a vast pond, that ripple effect will reach all those whom it is meant to reach. Stay the course. Stay an integral part of the process. Stay intent. Stay awake. Stay in that creative transformative light. You can move mountains… I know you can… And we will…"
149. Confronting Obstacles
"There are going to be times during the journey that we are going to confront many bumps in the road. These peaks and valleys will very often challenge our relationship to acting. Why wouldn’t they? Our work uses the Self as the instrument to create the music of life for our artistry while also serving to live the story in the safety of givens…for the purpose of community and the awareness of all the trials and tribulations of the human condition. And that Self is the very beautiful, very complex, very layered, very sensitive, and very vulnerable human instrument. The work in and of itself will inevitably bring up a myriad of complex obstacles and therefore a self-exploration that asks us to question why we have taken on this journey of being an actor/artist. The industry and business side of being an actor/artist is a whole other mountain that can really trigger a myriad of circumstances causing a lot of dissonance within the relationship to our work. These difficult times can manifest complicated thoughts and feelings such as frustration, depression, competition, anger, resentment, self-esteem issues, and more often than not, a love/hate relationship to the work. It can also trigger very complex issues within the Self creating a very interesting labyrinth of self-exploration that necessitates the need for observing, understanding, and even possibly healing those triggers that threaten our relationship to our work/art and go so far as to stimulate unproductive self-deprecating and self-destructive thoughts/feelings/emotions/behavior. Whether it is stemming from the work itself, the industry/business side of things, our own personal history, or any other known or hidden factors, they all ask us to question what we are doing and why. I encourage you that when times get rough, always try to go back to that first time you chose to follow the path of your artistry. Remind yourself why you made the choice to do it and connect to that within your mind, body, and spirit. Connect to that reason that first inspired you, excited you, motivated you, stimulated you, and called you to the craft. And then hold that dear in your heart."
151. The Role of Suffering in the Work
“Why do we talk and explore so much about suffering in the work?” It's a great question and one that deserves an explanation that makes sense and can actually be applied to our process. Not answering this question does a great disservice to the actor, the artist, and the human being. In my opinion, not addressing it misleads an actor or artist about what they need to understand viscerally in order to bring a profound level of truth to their work and truly grasp the essence of the journey. This is a question worth exploring by any human being, if they are willing.
This kind of questioning is not for the faint of heart. It forces us to confront people, places, and experiences that cause discomfort. It awakens us from sleepwalking through life and helps us achieve a higher consciousness of the human experience. We might want to share peace and love through our work, and that’s an admirable and beautiful goal. But the truth is, the real work is about understanding human beings striving and overcoming countless obstacles—at every moment, in fact—in order to experience peace and love.
In my 41 years on this Earth, I’ve yet to meet a single human being who hasn’t experienced suffering in one form or another. And I’ve yet to meet anyone not trying to improve their current reality in some way. Suffering is one thing we all have in common, aside from our biological makeup, and it cannot be contested. It drives every single story that has ever been written. Humans go through a lot, and to deny that is to deny the truth of the human condition.
Even monks, who meditate and appear to be at "peace," maintain that peace only through constant effort, working to ensure that peace remains undisturbed. From the moment we are born, we are thrust into a series of sufferings and desires. Think about it: We go from the comfort of our mother's womb, where everything is provided, to the uncertainty of life outside, which is like being tossed into a chaotic experience—almost like white-water rafting down a turbulent river. We emerge into this world with our peace disturbed, immediately wanting: air, warmth, shelter from the brightness, and food. At that moment, we probably wish we could go back to where we came from, but here we are. We cry out, hoping for help, striving to make things better.
I use this as an example in class because it's a straightforward illustration of how we're born into trials and tribulations, and those will be a part of our human journey until the next unknown phase of existence—something we can only hope is a little easier. From birth, we innately understand that we must take action to improve our situation. As you read this, I’m sure something comes to mind. If not, consider where this desire for action may be hidden in your consciousness, waiting for you to realize it.
Some people make choices that are "healthy" in an attempt to improve their circumstances. Others may choose "unhealthy" options for the same goal. But in both cases, the human objective is clear: to improve one’s reality. Some have faced only minor hardships, while others have endured profound, even unmentionable trials. Regardless, we all fight to overcome. We each have a fight song—a personal anthem—that carries us through life’s challenges and helps us transform our reality, even if just a little at a time, so we can experience peace and love.
Take the time to understand a character’s fight song that gets them through their journey. And, if you haven’t already, take time to discover your own. What motivates you to keep going? What encourages you? What brings you solace in difficult times? What slogan reminds you to press on? What helps you when nothing else seems to? If you understand this in your life, it will make sense in your work. It won’t be an intellectual exercise; it will drop into your gut and set you free in the process, connecting you to your humanity and that of others.
152. Letting Go to Break Free
One of the most complex challenges we face as artists is the notion of finding a way to get out of our own way. Time and time again, this topic arises when we address the myriad of obstacles that inhibit the freedom we desperately crave in our work and in our lives. In my eighteen years of teaching and coaching, I’ve found that this question often emerges as common ground: “What do I do to break free?”
The best advice I can offer is to let go of your attachments to how you think things should be or how you believe they are supposed to go. I know that when we face such questions, it is often because we are experiencing a moment that feels complicated, difficult, stifling, or even painful. During these times, we instinctively cling to what feels familiar, believing it will serve as a life preserver, keeping us afloat in the unknown. But sometimes, holding on to the familiar is the very thing that keeps us stuck in the situation we're trying to escape.
So, I offer these questions back in response to the original question: What is keeping you from letting go of how or what you think things should be? Why is it so difficult to release control? What if you just let go? What if you embraced the unknown? What if beyond the wall of your rigid belief system lies the key to your freedom, healing, and creative bliss? What if the unknown is not the enemy you define it as, but the very “hallelujah” you’ve been seeking?
We often hold on tightly to “things”—experiences, thoughts, relationships—believing they are the anchors that keep us safe, stable, and sound. But these very things may also be holding us back from our greatest potential. It’s like an anchor that holds a ship in its harbor. Yes, the anchor serves its purpose, but when the ship is ready to sail to new destinations, it must be released. Similarly, to move forward in our lives and work, we must be willing to let go of the anchors that are no longer serving us.
I understand that letting go is difficult. It’s scary. But we must trust that the unknown holds the answers we seek. We must trust that if we move on, what is meant to come to us will come, and that it will serve our highest purpose. It will be for our good. To get there, we must be willing to do the work—to face what is no longer serving us and let it go to make room for what does.
This process requires strength, perseverance, self-trust, and self-love. Yes, others may support us, but the truth is, it all begins with us. It can only happen through us. So, do yourself a favor and break free from any anchors that aren’t good for you, aren’t meant for you, and don’t serve your true self. Then, climb over the tall wall, no matter how difficult it may seem. Use your blood, sweat, and tears to find your freedom and finally meet your true, realized self, and actualized dreams on the other side. Once you get there, you will wonder why you held on to everything else for as long as you did
154. The Missing Ingredient: Craft
Last week, I received a call from an actress referred to me by a longtime student and private client. From the moment we began speaking, I could tell that she deeply respected the art of acting. I could hear in her voice that burning hunger that I love to witness in an actor—a desire to go deeper and deeper into the work. Along with her remarkable talent, it was clear that her instincts and intuition had taken her far in her career.
She had found success on several TV shows and now had a rare opportunity to bring her talents to the stage in a city where the standards are incredibly high. She had signed the contracts, and in just a few months, she would be playing a very complicated and layered role in a new two-and-a-half-hour drama—minus a much-needed fifteen-minute intermission. And yes, she had to perform eight shows a week. There would be no “Action!” or “Cut!” There would be no editing to perfect the performance. It would just be her, the ensemble, the set, the props, the lighting, and the sound, living in the arc of the text without stopping for two and a half hours each show. About two thousand people would pay between $150-$300 to watch her do it. No room to hide, no room to stop and start over. It was happening in real-time, and the stakes were incredibly high. That’s the beautiful danger of theater life. It tests the actor’s technical accountability to make it through such a challenging process.
I could feel the panic in her voice as she shared her struggles: “I just don’t know what I’m doing! I can’t get there on my own. I take class. I’ve taken classes all over. I get these notes, and sometimes I have no idea what they mean. And in many classes, I’m scared to ask for clarification because I don’t want to ruffle anyone’s feathers. But shouldn’t these notes make sense? Shouldn’t I know what I’m doing by now? And when I have a breakthrough, it feels random. I’m dependent on adjustments to get me there, but I don’t know how to use the breakthroughs on my own. I feel stuck. I’m actually a little angry I’m still in this position. I feel lost. I’m scared to do what I love. How am I supposed to do this eight shows a week? What did I say ‘yes’ to? I’m terrified!”
Before we hung up, we set up a meeting, and I asked if I could dedicate my next blog to this subject, sharing her story anonymously. She agreed as long as I promised to help her find her way out of this predicament. We both laughed, and I was honored to be brought onto her team.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated conversation. More and more actors are coming to me, distressed because they don’t seem to be able to crack the code of this mysterious “thing” they’re seeking. Despite reading countless acting books, scrutinizing award-winning performances, participating in numerous workshops, and jumping from one studio to another, there’s still something missing that leaves the actor with a large question mark.
So, what’s missing?
I can tell you, without hesitation, what is missing. Craft!
No matter the era, regardless of how “styles” may have evolved over time, the basis of all acting remains the same: life, circumstances, relationships, needs within those relationships, obstacles to overcome in order to improve those relationships, and the work we do within the text to achieve those needs. Ultimately, it’s about seeking peace, happiness, and love through the framework laid out by the text. You can’t truly understand your character’s journey unless you know the given circumstances of the story.
This is what makes the unknown of the moment possible. Without it, you’re telling your own story and swimming in a pool of confusion. As actors, we need tools that will help us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually do the work. Just like a ballet dancer needs to know the technicalities of doing a thousand fouetté turns, the actor needs a solid set of tools to support them in their craft.
If you want to live in the chaos of the unknown moment, you must be grounded in what is known.
And let’s be clear, the ultimate test of an actor’s craft is: can you perform in a two-and-a-half-hour show, eight times a week, and still deliver a consistent, alive, organic, and visceral performance with the stamina to sustain your vocal and physical demands—all while staying true to the story?
This isn’t just about theater. Any actor with the talent, sophistication, know-how, and dependability will have a long career, whether it’s in the theater or on screen. I always say to my students: “An actor who is always working is an actor who has always done the work.”
So, here’s a short answer to this unfortunate dilemma: How do you live moment to moment in relation to the circumstances of the text?
Craft!
How do you live in the unknown of the moment?
Craft!
How do you use your listening to filter the wants and needs that drive your character’s story forward?
Craft!
How do you emotionally live the arc of your character?
Craft!
How do you get to where the text indicates?
Craft!
How do you maintain a clear relationship with others, including your environment and objects, while still telling the story?
Craft!
How do you discover the physical or vocal attributes of your character?
Craft!
How do you make sense of your lines so they’re not just words you’re saying, but words that serve the purpose of improving your character’s circumstances?
Craft!
How do you organically give birth to the lines you speak?
Craft!
How do you viscerally understand what’s happening between the lines?
Craft!
How do you fully bring your character to life using your life experiences as the instrument for the world of your character?
Craft!
How do you live in the chaos of life’s unknowns?
Craft!
How do you survive a two-and-a-half-hour show, eight shows a week?
By being supported by craft!
If you’re still asking yourself, “I don’t know what the hell I’m doing!”—it’s time to take a stand. You deserve answers as an actor and as an artist. You owe it to yourself to ensure that what you’re learning is useful, that it supports your career as an actor, and that it helps you stay active, alive, and truthful in your work.
As an actor, you have the right—and obligation—to have a set of tools that will always have your back. Your craft supports you, no matter the circumstances, and ensures that your work is consistent, not dependent on luck. It allows you to find freedom within the unknown, so you can trust yourself in every moment.
That is the craft you want to cultivate.
That is the craft that never fails you.
It’s always there, supporting you.
It’s the craft that enables you to throw caution to the wind, dissolve fear, and fall back in love with the process of acting once again!
155. The Power of Life’s Curveballs
We all know that life can throw us curveballs that knock us off track sometimes. Sometimes, those curveballs catch us off guard, and we can only laugh at the irony, shaking our heads in disbelief, asking, “Are you serious right now?” And then, sometimes, those curveballs knock the wind out of us, forcing us to crouch down, hand raised, saying, “Ummm… Time out… Just give me a minute to catch my breath!” And then there are those other moments… Oh, those other moments… When those curveballs come flying at us so hard, so fast, that we are utterly speechless. There are no words to go with such potentially shattering experiences. And so, we slowly make our way to the ground, as the pregnant tears well up in our eyes, hoping that the earth itself can somehow support such heaviness. We curl into that instinctual fetal position, listening to the buzz of the universe’s electromagnetic OM sound, praying for something to come along and fix it all.
But wait… What if these crappy circumstances are the answer? What if within the complexity of these obstacles lives the simplest of answers? What if all that you are going through is the spark for something special? What if all that you are going through is the fuel for your creative hunger? What if it’s what will inspire you to create something of profound substance? What if it’s the fire you need to make the change you wish to see, both on a microcosmic level and on a macrocosmic level? What if all you are going through is guiding you toward your soul’s purpose? What else would it be there for? Really think about that. What is it all for? Is it there just to punish you? Are you so bad that life wants to treat you poorly and make you suffer? Is life really that cruel? I don’t think so. I really don’t. Let’s leave that dark theory to someone else.
It’s our experiences that feed us as artists. We bring light to all that darkness. And it’s the darkness that forces us toward the light. Artistically speaking… And yes… spiritually speaking as well. The truth is, the more high-stakes our experiences are, the more we are usually inspired by them. A banal, everyday experience doesn’t push us to create. It’s what we’ve been through—the hard, the difficult, the trying—that drives the creative force. Every day, we have an opportunity to take those experiences and use them to fuel our best artistic life. As artists, we get to transform those experiences into creative expression, fulfilling our dreams.
Only you truly have the power to realize your dreams. You must allow everything you’ve gone through to be the spark that keeps you creating. We all come from and are made up of that magnificent creative source. Even at your “worst,” your creative energy is the exact medicine that will always keep you going. It is your strength. It is what allows you to persevere. And let's be honest… Don’t worry about everyone else’s take on things. Your inner experience doesn’t need to be understood by others. Let that go. We can’t expect others to viscerally understand an experience that has never been theirs to taste. You may struggle hearing the most uninformed (I’m trying to be PC here!) responses to your experience. But you have to put it all into perspective. It’s like asking a small child to solve an equation without ever taking a math class. The child would look at you like you’re nuts and probably cover the problem with some Crayola crayons. Hmmm… still creative, though. That’s my kind of kid! Everything can only be understood by one’s accumulated life knowledge up to that point in time. But the experience is for you to grow, solve, expand, evolve, and share. Yes, even at your “worst.” Especially at your “worst.”
Keep going! Suffer through it if you must… But never let adversity see you share a drop of fearful sweat. Wipe your brow. Take a breath. Look at it in its face. Smile like a professional and say, “Game on, biatch!” Then fight, wrestle, kick, and scream with it if you must… But never stop using that fire to continue creating. Do it for you. The power is in your hands, in your mind, and in your heart. If you use what life has given you, life will have your back. Now go make your creative mark!
157. The Magic of "No"
"That word 'No' shows itself as rejection… Or a myriad of other things that asks us as artists to question our self-esteem… And our worth… In regards to what we are doing… And us as instruments… And the quality of our work…"
The word "No" often feels like rejection, or it may represent a number of other things that prompt us as artists to question our self-esteem, our worth, and the quality of our work. It challenges us to look at what we're doing, how we see ourselves, and how we value our craft. The word "No" is important because it serves as an incredible exercise in self-reflection. It forces us to ask: Will we crumble in the face of this word, or will we persevere when confronted by it?
A "No" can trigger emotions and thoughts we didn’t even know were there. It can take us to places that bring us down without us even realizing it. But when we face it, we have the opportunity to say, "This is what the external world is telling me. But what’s in my heart is more important. My belief in myself is stronger than what the world is saying right now."
This process strengthens our will, our perseverance, and our belief in ourselves. It cultivates the inner knowing that we are doing what we should be doing, that we believe in our work, and that we will continue doing it despite the rejections. Because, ultimately, rejection has nothing to do with us. It’s simply telling us that “This puzzle piece doesn’t fit right now, but there is a piece out there that does.”
So we continue. We search until we find that missing piece, and when we do, everything clicks. Then we realize: “It was worth the journey. I’m going to keep going and keep finding those pieces that create the grand picture of my life.” This is where the magic of the word "No" lies.
158. Do the Work
"If you are not willing to do the work… Guess what? There is someone out there who most certainly is."
As harsh as it may sound, it is absolutely true—if you’re not willing to put in the work, there’s someone else who will. As artists, this is especially true. In a world full of creatives pursuing similar paths, you need to show up 100% if you expect to break through. It’s the difference between having an idea and a dream. It’s the difference between a hobby and a career.
Ideas and hobbies are great, but they don’t carry the same weight. If something doesn't happen with them, it won’t cause sleepless nights or deep frustration. It's "c'est la vie." But when it comes to dreams and careers, it matters. You yearn for it, you eat, drink, and sleep it. And when it's not happening, it can hurt—sometimes even break your heart.
However, dreams alone are not enough. They can’t materialize on their own. The most successful people in the world aren’t just dreamers; they are hard workers. When I think about all the clients and students I’ve worked with who are now succeeding, I know how much work and sacrifice they’ve put into it. Once they start doing the work they love, they continue working to ensure the quality matches the effort they've put into getting there.
You can’t skip the work. Even when things aren’t happening, there are no days off. Take one small action every day toward your goal—no excuses. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, and many small actions compound into major breakthroughs. Sometimes this means making sacrifices to keep moving forward, but remember: no one else is going to do the work for you. These are your dreams, and you must be accountable for turning them into reality.
To do this, you need passion. Passion is the fuel that keeps you going when obstacles appear. And trust me, there will be obstacles. But passion helps you focus on the end goal, no matter how tough the journey gets. Passion is what keeps your dreams alive in your soul, and it makes you want to confront the challenges head-on, learn from them, and keep going.
Then, you need a fire in your belly. This fire is what gets your ideas out of your head and into tangible reality. It's what drives you to experiment, to make mistakes, and to learn from them. Without it, nothing happens.
Inspiration is also key. Seek it out whenever you need it—open your eyes, ears, and heart. Inspiration is everywhere if you're willing to look for it. Every detail of life, even what seems insignificant, has a story that can fuel your creativity.
Discipline is the next piece. Personal discipline is essential to ensure that the momentum you’ve built doesn’t slip away. It’s the practice that keeps you moving forward—learning, growing, trying, and experimenting. Without discipline, even the most creative ideas can fade into nothing.
Most importantly, the work must be fun. If you lose the joy in it, your dreams will turn into burdens. And once that happens, your passion will fade, your fire will smolder, and your discipline will feel like a chore. Keep the fun alive and remind yourself why you started this creative path in the first place.
So, what are you waiting for? Take responsibility for your dreams. Be the one who works for you because you know it’s possible. Be the CEO of your own life—keep growing, learning, and evolving. And if something’s missing in your process, make the changes necessary to make it happen. As artists, we already possess the creative force within us. It’s time to manifest our dreams and turn them into reality.
Be the one who makes it happen, and then bask in the bliss of your dreams coming true.
159. The Truth Behind the Selfie
"No matter how slick we may seem in that moment… No matter how together we try to look at that moment… No matter the costume we use to define who we want to be or how we want to appear in that moment… There will always be that little kid in us reaching out for that big warm hug for one reason or another…"
No matter how much we try to present ourselves as flawless or confident, there will always be that inner child, awkward teenager, or overwhelmed adult still trying to make sense of who they are. Each of us carries a complex story worth sharing—one that deserves to be witnessed. But in today’s world, we’ve found a new, simpler way of sharing our stories. A way that’s quick, safe, and controlled through a screen and an app. A way that allows us to pick and choose what we want the world to see about us. And that’s where selfies come in.
As we embrace the #SELFIE way of expression, we disconnect more and more from each other’s true stories. Instead of showing the real us, we often filter ourselves to present only the parts we think others want to see. We share pictures of our abs, our duck lips, our carefully chosen outfits, and our best angles—all carefully curated to get that instant gratification of a “like” or a comment. But in doing so, we miss out on the real picture.
Are we truly sharing ourselves? Or are we staging a version of ourselves to get noticed in a world flooded with images? Do we filter our stories based on what we think the world will find most desirable? We’re bombarded with a never-ending cycle of attention-seeking posts, seeking the dopamine rush that comes with social media validation. But has it really become that important?
Instead of sharing our true experiences and emotions, we communicate through body shots and perfectly timed selfies. We engage in one-sided interactions, where a picture is glanced at for a split second before it’s quickly judged and either “liked” or ignored. And that’s how we’re learning about each other these days—through a quick image, judged in a matter of seconds. But we’re missing the most important part: each other’s real story.
The full picture—the happy, the sad, the funny, the strong, the vulnerable, the powerful—is often overlooked in favor of carefully curated moments. There’s nothing wrong with what we share online; the pictures are beautiful, fun, and part of our lives. But they are not the full picture.
So, when you find yourself comparing your life to someone else's online presence, feeling like you have to measure up or wishing you could be something more than you are, remember this: what you're seeing is just a fraction of someone's reality. It's a staged moment, picked and filtered for likes and followers. It’s a moment in time, not the whole story.
Your life, and everyone else’s, is far more complex, messy, and beautiful than any selfie can capture. Don’t forget that the real story—the full picture—is always more interesting than the filtered version. Because, let’s face it, our lives are way more than just our selfies.
160. The Importance of Embracing Imperfection
"I think one of the most crucial things any actor can do… It’s probably one of the most important things an actor can do… Is really come to terms… And endow their own humanity… And what I mean by that is… Giving themselves a break to understand that they are not perfect… And they don’t have to be perfect… That they are allowed to not have it together all the time… That they are allowed to be messy sometimes… That they are allowed to not look like they are on the cover of Vogue… Or GQ… That is OK for them to have uncomfortable feelings sometimes…"
I believe one of the most important things an actor can do is come to terms with their own humanity. They need to give themselves permission to not be perfect, to not always have it together. It’s okay to be messy sometimes, to fumble, to fall, or even to fail.
In today’s world, especially with the rise of social media, we’re bombarded with the idea that we have to look a certain way, be a certain way, and be perfect all the time. It makes us think we have to be "Face-Tuned" and "Life-Tuned" to some ideal standard. But as artists, that pressure is damaging because it tells us we need to live in artificiality to create meaningful work.
The truth is, our authenticity as artists comes from embracing our imperfections. We are perfectly imperfect, and by owning who we are, we breathe life into our work in a way that perfection never could.
I always encourage the people I work with to simply observe others in everyday settings—at a coffee shop, in a grocery store, or a restaurant. Watch how people interact, how they relate to others, and how they relate to themselves when alone. The truth is, nobody has it all together. Everyone has their quirks, and that is what makes us interesting. It’s what makes us human.
It’s our imperfections that make us beautiful and engaging to watch, and they make stories compelling. We’re all part of this dynamic of imperfection, and it brings us together. When we see others struggling or trying to "get it together," we resonate with that. We realize that everyone has their own story of trying to figure things out, and that shared experience connects us all.
161. Five Crucial Steps to Survive Pilot Season
Here are five easy but crucial steps I work on with all my students and clients to help them stay grounded during the intense, sometimes overwhelming season of the industry’s most anticipated opportunities:
Maintain Your Peace: Whether you’re going out constantly or staying in more than you'd like, it’s essential to stay grounded and maintain your peace. Think of yourself as the oak tree in a storm, steadfast and unmovable, rather than the blade of grass that’s blown every which way. Stress depletes your vital creative forces and prevents you from reaching your highest potential.
Do Not Compare Yourself to Others: You are the president of your own unique corporation. Comparing yourself to others is fruitless and creates unnecessary competition. The only competition is the internal fear that tells you that you can’t achieve your dreams. Your essence is either right for a particular project or it isn’t at that moment. Either way, trust yourself and don’t get fixated on what you think they are looking for. Your individuality is what will set you apart, and who knows—you might change the entire direction of the role just by being true to yourself.
Accountability: Do the work! As an artist, you’ve been given a craft for a reason. It’s not enough to just memorize your lines; you must infuse those words with life. Ensure you bring depth and truth into your performance, whether in the room or on tape. Trust in your skills and be willing to take risks, but never underestimate the power of simplicity—it often has more strength than you realize.
Own the Room: Never walk into any situation feeling intimidated or apologetic for what you bring to the table. If you’re given a note, take it and execute it instinctively, but don’t hold onto it. Remember: you’ve invested a lot into this moment, so own it. You deserve to be there, and your time is as valuable as anyone else’s. You are not a dime a dozen—you are one of a kind and priceless.
Let It Go: After the audition is over, let it go. If it went great, awesome! If it didn’t go as expected, process what you can improve for next time and then move on. Don’t stay mentally bound by past auditions—there’s no benefit in holding onto regret. The present holds infinite inspiration for future opportunities, so stay open and trust that what is meant to align with you will. Give yourself the freedom to appreciate the process you went through, and treat yourself with kindness and compassion.
And remember, maybe you’re not just auditioning to see if you’re right for a role—perhaps the universe is auditioning the role to see if it’s right for you! I’m rooting for you—break a leg and have an amazing Pilot Season!
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