Uncomplicated

Overwhelmed with an empty schedule;
Why do I crave ink all over a calendar?
If I’m not overachieving, am I really succeeding?
Like a dancer falling out of a pirouette, I crave balance.
A deep breath and back to the mat;
Meditation for the mind, body, and soul.
Uncomplicated; life is how we react to it.

It Comes With The Job Title

The crust in my eyes reminds me of being a child;
So does the tantrum I’m throwing right now because I have to get up so early.
#TheGlamorousLife

Overachiever's Reminder:

There is a time for work and a time for play;
A space for creative growth and a cushion for rest;
An opportunity to seek new horizons and the gratitude of accepting where you are;
A moment to silence the chaos and be still, eventually welcoming the joyous music of the birds networking in the rustling trees.
Balance is available everywhere at anytime––when we remember to breathe.

Overachiever's Unhealthy Outlook:

Anything more than four hours of sleep is just wasteful.

Rain Delay in LA

When it rains in LA––which is very rare, but surprisingly more common this year––I make the most of it;
I give myself permission to blow off work, and curl up with my puppies next to the fireplace.  I dive into a great book until my eyes start to blur and then I relocate to the sofa and channel surf until I find the perfect movie to fall asleep to.
Today is the perfect way to ease myself into 2017 and my new resolution: surrender.
I’ve spent the larger part of my life overachieving, hustling, fighting, and engulfed with busy work––I’m really looking forward to a new approach.
The rain delay is here to stay, at least for a season.

Secret Ingredient

My best work is done after three cups of coffee;
Starbucks is like Wheaties to me,
In fact, I think the dedication page in my next book will read like this:
Starbucks your loyalty (reward program) has kept me addicted since 1994;
Thank you.

Welcome Back, to Life.

Nothing like the sound of leaf blowers and dump trucks to remind you that you’re no longer on vacation.
Back in Los Angeles and back to the grind––of my teeth from all of the noise I’ve returned to.
Vacation can be a distraction from life, but the truth is, I’m happy to be home.
Creativity calls––and so does the yoga studio; time to work off the five pounds (okay ten...) I gained in Hawaii.
Life is back in session.

Hawaii Day 6

Seriously, I cannot get to the beach fast enough;
I woke up early to work––on vacation?!
Yes, even on a holiday, I have to answer emails.
Fortunately, in paradise, zen is only a breath away.
Now that my checklist is complete,
I’m going to enjoy the heat at the beach!
Aloha!

That Feeling...

When you wake up and sit down to coffee, eggs, and your face on the inside cover page of a magazine;
Of course “it’s not about the fame or money”, but it’s a completely validating feeling to see yourself in print!
I’ve invested more than twenty years pursuing a creative career––and these little highlights act as motivation to continue to training, auditioning, and evolving as a person and artist.
All in stride though––in three days this town will forget about the article, and demand that I answer, “what’s next?”
But for today, I’ll enjoy the spotlight!

Energy vs. Earning

I spent twenty-five minutes on hold;
Waiting for AT&T to refund a ten dollar credit.
I have to ask myself, “Is the money worth the energy?”
Answer: The money is always worth the effort.
Like my grandma always said, “A penny saved, is a penny earned.”
As long as I have the time––I will fight for every dime that’s mine.

Waiting Rooms

The smell of sick;

Annoyed receptions;

Phone calls—that should be placed outside—happening in the chair next to you, describing in full detail the sex life of a random stranger;

Magazines askew on a coffee table—but not one worth reading;

A toddler shuffles along from chair to chair, equally distributing his slobber and germs;

The door opens, your name is called—time to go sit and wait some more. 

That's A Wrap

I'm saying goodbye to my fifth city in four weeks;

I'm officially exhausted.

Grateful for the opportunity to share my passion with future performers—I've continued to remind myself that a positive attitude is the best defense against the pitfalls of life on the road.

Still, I'm grateful that I've successfully completed another leg of my tour;

Only one more city, and then I get to take a break!

Starbucks NYC

It’s been fourteen years since I’ve lived in New York City;
And it’s as if no time has passed as I write from the Starbucks on 40th and Lexington Avenue.
This was not my “home” Starbucks, but aren't they all the same?
I spent so many hours of my life (pre-marriage) journaling, dreaming, and plotting my career path in a Starbucks;
Surrounded by strangers who felt like family at Starbucks––we all shared common themes: aspiring actor–writer–director–students–without–air conditioning in the summer heat.
Which is very similar to my circumstances today.
While I’m much older––and can actually afford air-conditioning now; I am in a city that I no longer have a home––so I found solace in my family at Starbucks.
In between meetings and meeting up with friends, I happily hack away at my computer––finishing a chapter in my new book, and catching up on emails.
The traffic is at a standstill, but my creativity is in full-force;
That’s the beauty of New York––once you're here, you can’t fight the energy.
I’m delighted to visit NYC for a trip down memory lane, however, I’m so grateful that I achieved my goals in this city––with nothing to prove here––I enjoy visiting friends, working my gig, and returning home to my family!
I enjoy NYC, I LOVE LA.

A Trip to the Mall

Sometimes spending money encourages me to make more money! 

Meet Me At The Mall

I’m sitting at the mall searching for creativity.
Drawn to the food court where similar Mac men and women peck at their keyboards, while people––who take the shape of characters from any random 80′s film––devour food-on-a-stick.
For every sentence I complete, I reward myself with a thirty-second scan of my surroundings:
Moms comforting crying kids,
Old ladies playing mahjong,
Old men playing chess,
Teenagers plotting their next takedown,
And me––fighting for my next great idea;
Maybe some MSG from Panda Express will help me?

Life Lesson:

When the sun is shining bright there’s only one thing to do:
Go to the pool!
Finding a balance between work and play can be difficult;
But with twenty-four hours in a day––it’s not impossible to set aside two hours for a relaxing recharge.
It will help inspire creativity, and perhaps motivate you to start attacking your goals from a new point of view.

Six Word Essay on Las Vegas

Drunk people everywhere; it's too hot! 

A New Earth

Acceptance. Find the peace in what has to be done.
Enjoyment. Seek joy from within, not from an accomplishment.
Enthusiasm. Stay positive and present on the journey.
Three ideas that require letting go of ego to make space for inner peace.
Aware that this moment, the present, is the only space in which we can awake and serve––ourself and others.
Enlightenment is not the end goal––it’s an active choice.

Collaboration

Welcoming the opportunity to join forces in creativity, wisdom, strength and quality––to yield a more polished product.
A successful use of talent; an enlightened way to work.

Stay Focused

It’s so easy to slip back into deeply rooted ideas and habits;
They’re safe, comfortable, and familiar––they are also destructive, otherwise we would not have invested the conscious energy in resolving to try something different.
Evolution of the mind and spirit takes conscious effort and dedication.
We all have the opportunity to grow as individuals and expand our potential;
But it requires work to unlock our preset ideas and discover our true selves.

“You are most powerful, most effective, when you are completely yourself.”
––Eckhart Tolle