The Big Overhaul

You know those moments that just inspire you?  From watching almost instant photos arrive from Mars to crying over this kid's greatness, life can just rock.  For those of you who have been following along either here on the blog or on Facebook or Twitter, you know I'm a pretty positive person.  That's how I choose to live my life.  The key word there is "choose".

Now why is that?  Well, I wasn't always this positive and some days, I'm still not--I'm an actor, for goodness sake.  I've posted before about life changes and people always ask me how I do it.  It's simple: I made a choice.  A choice to not be stuck doing a survival job while waiting for my agent to call me with work.  A choice not to make someone else's dream come true but to focus on mine.  Instead, I work alongside my agent to find new work (PS: it's my career so I better be responsible for it).  I work (although work is the wrong term for something I enjoy so much) my business just a little everyday.   I do it for me and the future me.  'Cuz I sure as hell don't want to wake up one day wondering what if.  That is more terrifying for me than taking a huge risk.  I have only two true regrets in my life and I vowed to never have any more of those.

So I choose to create a life of abundance and one that is mine.  And what really rocks about it, is that after a few months of consistent effort on that front, it's starting to pay off exponentially.  That's right, my life doesn't add, it multiplies.  And that includes financially, artistically, and awesominity. See?  I even get to make up words.

So please, do yourself a favour: ask yourself where you want to be in five years and if what you are doing right now will get you there?  If it will, that's amazing.  If not, change something.  Start putting yourself on that path now.  You don't want to regret not doing now.  And while I have been fortunate enough to make big changes in my life, you don't have to do it that way.  Small things in the nooks and crannies of your day multiply (there's that word again) into huge results.

Take the first terrifying step and repeat until it's not scary anymore.  It's so worth it.

Happy creating!

PS: I'm going to be an aunt (again!) this week!!!  Can't wait to meet and spoil the girls...yes, plural!

Edward Burns says: 'I don’t think we’ll ever go back to theatrical.'

Funny.  This is what so many indie filmmakers I know have been saying too.  It doesn't have to cost millions.  It just has to be your passion and you will make it happen.  It's weird to be on the possible forefront of change industry wide.  And with mediums such as YouTube, iTunes, and great inexpensive equipment, creating wonderful and well-made films is within everyone's grasp.  Check out what Edward Burns has to say on the matter in this article from indieWire.  


Edward Burns says: 'I don’t think we’ll ever go back to theatrical.' Here's why. - indieWIRE


Thanks Eddie Burns.  Glad you agree.


Happy creating!

Goals, goals, GOALS!!!!

As you all know from a previous post, life has changed for me.  I'm now a Monday to Friday person with two consecutive days off.  I've got a ton more time than I used to which I'm happily using for my creative endeavours.  My artist soul is jumping for joy!


So it's now time to look at those goals and adjust them a teeny tiny bit.  And to really put it out there, I'm taking a page from a follower blogger (thanks Tyler!) and putting those goals out there on the worldwide interweb.  Here they are:


1) Finish my production company's first short film and get it on the festival circuit.  As many of you know, I've dreamed of running my own company for a few years now and I've finally started taking steps towards this.  Look for some great things in 2011 in this regard!


2) Write more.  Writing has always been a big part of my life and unfortunately over the last few years, it has constantly been pushed to the back burner.  So more blog posts, short stories, and maybe a novella in the year to come.


3) Act more.  Yes, yes, yes.  This is always a goal of mine and always will be.  Acting is like a drug to me and I can't do without it!  To clarify what I mean here, I will seek out more acting opportunities either by creating them myself, getting more parts through traditional auditioning, or reaching out to the contacts I have to see what projects they are working on.  Anyone need a cute redhead for a part?  :)


4) Be more financially fit.  I suck at budgeting.  Really, really, REALLY suck at it.  But I swear and cross my heart that I will get better at it.  Debt, I'm coming for you.


5) Be more physically fit.  Showbiz is all about image and a girl's gotta keep at it to keep in it!  I usually love working out but I'm pretty sure our household is about to become addicted to it.  Kinect, anyone?


So those are the biggies.  There are more little ones but that's a good start.  That's me, putting it out there.  How about you?  Any goals you want the world to know?  The web provides great accountability!


Happy creating!

Tough Choices

It's a new year and it's already been a month of tough choices.  Remember that blog post about finding time and doing what you love?  Well, I up-ed the ante on that one a little bit.  I changed jobs completely.  Now don't get me wrong.  I loved my old job.  I loved the people.  Loved, loved, loved.  Actually, still love the people and hope to do dinner and drinks some time soon.  But it was time to make the call between work and life and health.  So I did and here I am doing what I preach.


OK.  Deep breath.  Get ready, set, go.


To be continued...