A Quote To Keep Me Pressing On...

I am in a continual journey of self-improvement and growth to become my best self as a person and an actor.

I have not fully developed my new personal mission statement.

I am getting there... just haven't hit on something that inspires and keeps me "jazzed" to take on the world.

No rush. It is coming... 

I have however, stumbled across a quote  by U.S. President Calvin Coolidge that, for an actor, is something that will be useful to draw strength from when those moments of frustration get me down. For me inspiration is the strongest resource for creativity and simply keeping going. These words inspire me and remind me to live my life on my terms and never stop moving in the direction of my dreams.


If you need a pick me up, read these words and "Press On".
   

Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. 

Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. 

Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. 

Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. 

Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. 

The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race. 

 

-Calvin Coolidge

The Summer of Star Trek has Begun!!

It feels as if this is going to be my favorite summer of movie going!

I have not been willing to break my bank for a night out at the movies. However, since I am saving my pennies for "Man of Steel", as a livelong Star Trek fan and lover of the re-boot of the franchise for a new generation, I have to see "Star Trek Into Darkness" in the theater!

Paramount Pictures may just have a winner on its hands! With J.J. Abrams' inventive way of creating a new time line, anything is possible. They can draw from the best of the past, while blazing new trails no one has seen before.

I cannot wait! 

I love the cast. Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg,  John Cho , and Anton Yelchin have made these iconic roles their own. The addition of the romance between Spock and Uhura was a great twist with great possibilities in the first installment. Now, the villian, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, best known for his compelling performance as Sherlock Holmes in the 21st century on the BBC series "Sherlock", is sure to bring his "A" game.

I have a crazy busy weekend, but I need to get there soon before I start getting plot spoilers from those who get to it before me and can't keep their mouths shut!

"A Song For You"

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I was watching the "Jeff Probst Show" today. They were discussing the influence media, especially the music industry has on young boys and girls. It would seem love songs have been replaced with hook up songs and a heavy dose of female objectification.

I sadly agree.

Donny Hathaway

There are plenty of great songs with a cool beat to dance to but when you listen to some of the things being said, it's a little frightening. We listen to songs over and over, especially the ones we love. What does that actually do to our thinking? I mean anything you listen to over and over, makes an impression on your subconscious mind. Can we expect these lyrics to not have an impact?

Of course, it all comes down to making choices. I am a big fan of Motown, R&B, and Classic Soul. So, I hope to spread a little "LOVE" out into the Universe by continuing to share my favorites from time to time to do my part to keep the classics alive!

Below is "A Song For You" performed by the incredible Donny Hathaway. I have heard many versions of this song, but few are as full of passion and depth of feeling. 

Check out the lyrics, then listen to the words come to life.

Songwriters: SCHACK, CARSTEN/KARLIN, KENNETH/CANTRALL, ALEX

I've been so many places in my life and time
I've sung a lot of songs I've made some bad rhymes
I've acted out my lifee in stages
With ten thousand people watching
But we're alone now and I'm singing this song to you
I know your image of me is what I hope to be
I've treated you unkindly but darlin' can't you see
There's no one more important to me
Baby can't you see through me
Cause we're alone now and I'm singing this song to you
You taught me precious secrets of a true love witholding nothing
You came out in front when I was hiding
Now I'm so much better and if my words don't come together
Listen to the melody cause my love is in there hiding
I love you in a place where there's no space or time
I love you for my life you're a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember when we were together
We were alone and I was singing this song to you
I love you in a place where there's no space or time
I love you for in my life you're a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember when we were together
We were alone and I was singing this song to you
We were alone and I was singing this song to you
We were alone and I was singing this song

Singing this song to you

Enjoy.




  

Dreams: Making Sense of The Madness

I have yet to completely get the reason for any given dream lately but they are definitely getting more vivid and memorable.

In the first dream I recall being outside of my childhood neighborhood. It was nighttime. I was standing on the sidewalk outside my house. I could see a female figure running away. I turned and looked at the house. I somehow knew that inside were baby twins my niece and nephew who needed protecting.

(In real life I have no niece and nephew who are twin babies. My nieces and nephews are much older in real life. Nevertheless they existed in the dream.)

I walked to the house and noticed that the front door was open. I could sense someone was hiding behind the door. I raced away down the street trying to scream for the police but my voice couldn't  make a noise. I suddenly had laryngitis.  I grew up in a neighborhood of cul de sacs. I raced to another street, drawing out the stranger in my house. I was standing in the middle of the street. A short, heavyset, angry black woman dressed in jeans and a hoodie came charging at me. She tried to attack me and I grabbed her by the throat and pushed her against a car. She broke free and ran away. My dog Rusty came running toward me. as he got near, the woman in a hoodie threw a dagger stabbing Rusty in the back. I immediately pulled the dagger out and threw it, nailing the woman in her throat. She fell dead and I hugged Rusty in my arms in the middle of the street.

Later, I changed scenarios completely. I was in my old office here in Los Angeles. I was in a room crowded with paperwork. I was looking at a computer. People were running about and being fired. I walked to a conference room made of glass walls. I took my seat and I listened to the managers talking but I don't recall what was said just that people were being let go. The meeting broke up and I with two other people walked out the front door and we were suddenly in downtown San Francisco. The two guys were looking for a specific building and didn't want me to know how to get there. I however knew how to get there. We split up and raced to the location making our way through the crowd.

I am noticing a number of my dreams have taken me back to my childhood neighborhood. They've also included buildings or rooms made largely of glass, not to mention varying levels of violence. No judgements of what these observations mean yet but for the moment are points of interest. The one thing I found fascinating was throwing a dagger into someone's throat was so startling it woke me up. I immediately told myself to remember this dream, then I fell back to sleep.

I am happy to note I am gradually strengthening my ability to recall and engage mt brain in the importance of remembering. This is progress indeed.




  
 

Sometimes I Just Gotta Sing Like A Fool...All Over My Apartment!!

Okay, I admit, all the birthday love I am feeling from my family and friends today has filled me with so much joy I feel like singing! Course I have been traveling down memory lane thanks to youtube, listening to songs of my youth, singing along like I often do in my living room giving a sold out performance to Rusty. Even though he is staring at me as if I am about to have a stroke, I continue!

What is it about songs from your childhood that strike a chord like nothing else can? Music has been out of my life for a while but made a major comeback since I returned to acting. It fills me up and sets me right.

Here are a few songs that take me back to the good times or inspires me even now to keep moving forward when times are tough.

 

Getting To Know Myself "Energetically"

What I love about listening to these Abraham-Hicks clips is the inspiration it provides. I resonate with the concept of God as Source Energy instead of this distant, angry father figure waiting to punish.

My focus is on being All I can be.

These clips help me stay on track without an ounce of guilt or condemnation needing to enter into the mix.

 

"The Prayer" For This New Year Of My Life

Ahh... It is that special time of year when I take some time to reflect on where I am in my life, what I have accomplished, and where I want to go from here.

I am one year older.

Letting go of the fixating on the number and feeling melancholy. Not interested in taking life quite so seriously. I want to celebrate more and simply find reasons to be happy if only for the joy of being happy!  For this year, I would like to focus on setting my brain for positive expectation, living in the moment and enjoying all the little and big blessings of life.

This past year has been very enlightening. I have been digging deep to unearth those hidden blocks that have been holding me back creatively and today I choose to give them their proper burial so I may start this new year of my life with the mental freedom to let my creative spirit roar!

Life is too quick and too precious to waste with stewing over doubts.

I am looking for a year of celebration!

Success on a variety of levels is always available if you open your eyes to see them.

This year, eyes wide open time!

I am so blessed and grateful for the family and friends in my life!

I am following my dreams and living my life with joy and positive expectation for what each day has in store for me.

I am set to soar as high as my imagination will take me.


Life is great!