My Social Media Education: YouTube

Yes, I admit today as I have on numerous occasions, I am virtually illiterate when it comes to social media. I have yet to grasp the need for twitter, tumbler, google+, facebook, vine and youtube. Must one be on all? Can't one or two suffice? Who the hell has the time to be on all this social media while still living an active life? I'm truthfully not knocking what I haven't tried. I just don't get it?

However, I want to grow and expand my horizons so instead of jumping right in to all these tools, I am gonna start exploring what I have so far. I've a Facebook, Google+ and Youtube account.

I think I will start with Youtube. I do not own a piece of video editing software so vlogging is not an option at the moment so I am exploring different sites to see what this vlogging thing is all about.

I have stumbled upon a cool young vlogger named Simon Harrison who I recently subscribed to and binge watched over the last few days. There is something about this guy and his journey that I resonate with on so many levels. The strange thing is with each video I watched of his life's journey, the more invested I have grown in wanting to see him grow, succeed and find his share of life's happiness. It is a little weird that I am rooting for this guy I have never met in person. Yes...he is an attractive, young gay man finding his way. I suppose that is enough for some people to subscribe to a channel but Simon has something special about him. He has a kindness and generosity about how he carries himself. He is fiercely honest with his audience about his life, his feelings and views even if they are still evolving in his life experience. He literally forces you to care about him, not in any manipulative kind of way but simply in his honest searching to find his way through life. 

Watching his videos had me reflecting on the issues of my life that have set me on my own life's journey. I applaud him for boldly facing his fears and I will continue to root for his success. I'm not big on being anyone's "fan" per say. I don't know, I find that just well weird...but as he is as they say "family" I definitely want to see him live his dreams and with the help of youtube I can watch him as he chronicles his life adventure! I have not gotten to the whole interactive aspect of youtube because I have never been fond of how nasty people are with one another on-line but if there was any random stranger I would contact to say hello to or show my support, I would have to say Simon would be the one. Maybe because I see aspects of myself in him or whatever. Yeah this whole interactivity is way too out of my comfort zone but who knows how I will evolve as I explore the social media world in the future.

I guess that is the power of Youtube. We are social beings so watching people video their lives can be a source of entertainment, enlightenment and inspiration depending on how willing people are to make themselves vulnerable with a sense of dignity and humor.

If you get a chance, check out Simon's youtube channel. I will attach/share his first youtube clip that got me hooked. If you have a soul in your body, you will be moved by Simon and compelled to watch more, rooting for him every step of the way as I am!!

      

 

Re-Investing In What Matters to Me- Beyond Just Getting By

I have been in a very reflective mood as I endeavor to course correct my life. The last few months of 2013 gave me the taste of success as an actor with small parts on television that reminded me why I am living on my own, far from family, pursuing a dream that gives me a fulfillment I can hardly put into words. Yet those moments of fulfillment are so few and far between. It's like having a cool glass of water while walking through the Sahara. Once you have finished, you start to feel like that glass of water might have been a mirage until you find that next drink. Sometimes it is a real challenge to find the motivation to stay optimistic.  

What is the balance one must strike between paying the bills, having a social life, and being an artist in whatever derivation you are inspired to pursue?

I have wanted to be an actor for as long as I could remember. Back when my childhood bullies made life a living hell, the dream of being someone who could create a character and be part of a film or television story that helped people to escape their troubles for a moment was the BIG DREAM!

I found my way from Philadelphia to the promised land of  Los Angeles with a detour to San Francisco to get my training and upon my return to the City of Angels, my career as an actor was born. It was hard to say goodbye to San Francisco and the life of a student and hello to the life of a "Professional Actor". That was many moons ago... even if it feels like yesterday, it definitely was not. Much life has happened from graduation from the "conservatory" to now. Ah life. Nothing prepares you for the realities of life like LIFE. I have fallen in love, left acting, mourned the death of my first real love, grieved longer than I realized, and upon waking up from that self-imposed exile of grief, decided to return to being an actor.

Not sure why I just went on a recap of my life up until now. I just know I am going through one of those moments of "waking up" to my life. Ever have one of those? For me it is when I get lost in the day to day drudgery of paying my bills and making ends meet that I slip into a mental/spiritual coma. This coma was very much like that overextended period of grief where life went by but did not have much flavor to it. Ya know what I'm saying?

In an effort to get the flavor back, I made the decision to reconnect to my view of my life as a spiritual journey which abruptly slammed to a dead stop when my love passed.  Nevertheless, I began an exploration of Science of Mind which brought me to the unexpected discovery of how much I have defined my world view as a victim. I honestly had no clue, I had thought I had put those feelings to bed years ago only to have the unexpected realization that I really just replaced one bully for another in one of those unconscious repeat of pattern things you think is just bullshit until you see it active in your life!

Talk about mind-blowing. No one really thinks of themselves as being a victim until you are forced to listen to your self-talk and stop rationalizing and justifying why you are entitled to feel how you feel and objectively see what your mind is revealing to you. It has been all a long. I just was unwilling to listen to what it was really saying. It is ironic that all this began to unfold in May around my birthday.  An opportunity for a rebirth of some kind perhaps?

So  yes, while I took a 10 week course on prosperity, which I mentioned in a prior blog post, all this childhood bullying bullshit rose from the depths of my memory like a toxic leak just begging to be removed permanently from my consciousness.

I made a decision to put that tired old story to bed and allow a new one to emerge. Instead of a "Victim's Tale of Woe", I am starting the first chapters of a Hero's Journey.

In this Hero's Journey, my body is 50 pounds lighter, with a few more rippling toned muscles and an actual social life. I will be honest, these chapters will take more than a minute to be written but I am enjoying watching new sides of myself emerge as my perspective of life has made a dramatic change. Life is no endless Pride Festival but it is more like being AWAKE after a long long coma like sleep. A little physical therapy may be needed to get the various muscles working in mind and body but that is to be expected from any coma patient:)

The next stage is really reengaging in my life as an artist. Yes I am a professional actor but, what do I want my career to look like professionally and artistically? I think I was a little too afraid to ask myself these questions seriously out of fear. Today, I know that I cannot get where I want to go if I don't define my road map. I can always take a detour but unless I have a map created, I will be doomed to wander in the desert aimlessly. Thanks to the 10 week workshop, I have a vision statement of things I want to accomplish but now,  I need to map out the next steps to get my Hero's Journey started 

The difference between success and failure is all in the planning. Yes, I want to enjoy the journey. I also want to see what the journey looks like.

This has been a slow period that will soon be picking up as we move into July so, now is the perfect time to start doing a little map-making.

"Live Without Regret." That is my new motto.

My life continues to unfold perfectly and has led me to this present moment . I might as well embrace every element of my past: "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly." I may not want to re-live it but it was meant to be because it happened and I cannot change it.  Why pretend it didn't exist when just letting go of the power I give it to define my present is enough?.   

How can I be the best actor I can be? How do I make a five line part just as meaningful as a leading role?  These are the questions I am looking forward to answering over the coming weeks and months.

As long as you wake up each morning, you might as well LIVE!

Theme Song of the Week: "Golden" by Jill Scott

I found this song to keep me bouncing through the week with a smile on my face.


This week's theme song is:

 "Golden" by Jill Scott.


 Hey ohh hey yea
Ohh yea yea yea yea yea yea yea

I'm takin' my freedom, pulling it off the shelf
Puttin' it on my chain, wearing it 'round my neck
I'm taking my freedom, puttin' it in my car
Wherever I choose to go it will take me far

I'm living my life like it's golden
Living my life like it's golden
Living my life like it's golden
Living my life like it's golden
Living my life like it's golden, golden

Living my life like it's golden
Living my life like it's golden
Living my life like it's golden
Living my life like it's golden
Living my life like it's golden, golden

I'm taking my own freedom, putting it in my song
Singing loud and strong, grooving all day long
I'm taking my freedom, putting it in my stroll
I be high stepping ya'll, letting the joy unfold

I'm living my life like it's golden
Living my life like it's golden
Living my life like it's golden
Living my life like it's golden
Living my life like it's golden, golden

Living my life like it's golden
Living my life like it's golden
Living my life like it's golden
Living my life like it's golden
Living my life like it's golden, golden

I'm holding on to my freedom, can't take it from me
I was born into it, it comes naturally
I'm strumming my own freedom
Playing the God in me, represent His glory
Hope He's proud of me, Yea

Living my life like it's golden
Living my life like it's golden
(Hope He's proud of me)
Living my life like it's golden
Living my life like it's golden
Living my life like it's golden, golden

Living my life like it's golden
Living my life like it's golden
Living my life like it's golden
Living my life like it's golden
Living my life like it's golden, golden

Living my life like it's golden, golden, golden, golden, golden, golden
Living my life like it's golden, golden, golden, golden, golden, golden
Living my life like it's golden, golden, golden, golden, golden, golden
Living my life like it's golden, golden, golden, golden, golden, golden
Living my life like it's golden, golden, golden, golden, golden, golden
Living my life like it's golden, golden, golden, golden, golden, golden
Livin' my life like it's golden, it really matters to me, ohh

Living my life, like it's golden, golden, golden, golden, golden, golden
Living my life, like it's golden, golden, golden, golden, golden, golden
Living my life, like it's golden, golden, golden, golden, golden, golden

Message in A Bottle....

 

To STRIVE,

To SEEK,

To FIND,

And NOT to YIELD....

This is the MEANING of LIFE.

 

 

Kicking off "Theme Song of the Week" with SHAKIRA for Motivation!

Yes! As I sent out a request to the Universe for songs to have a monthly motivational theme song, I have found myself opened up to a world of songs and artists that I never knew I knew! That being  the case, I am placing myself with the challenge to have a theme song of the week. This will keep things fresh and if I really like a song, I can always bring it back down the line or hold on to it for an additional week! This is after all all about having fun, inspiring myself as a performer and bringing music back into my life on a deeper level!

In honor of my South American roots and the party going on with the 2014 World Cup FIFA "Brasil", I am kicking things off with the high energy of Shakira and the 2014 World Cup Theme Song: "DARE- La La La"

La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la [2X]
I dare you

Feel how the planet’s
become one
beats like a drum
To the same rhythm

Hear the whistle
Kick the ball,
The entire world
Sears like an eagle

In Rio we play
Like we dance
Only today
There’s no tomorrow

Leave all behind
Tn this place
There’s no space
For fear or sorrow

Is it true that you want it
Then act like you mean it
With everyone watching
It’s truth or dare can you feel it

La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la

Is it true that you want it
Then act like you mean it
The while world is watching
It’s truth or dare can you feel it

La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
I dare you

La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
I dare you

La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la [2X]
I dare you

Feel how the planet’s
become one
beats like a drum
To the same rhythm

Hear the whistle
Kick the ball,
The entire world
Sears like an eagle

In Rio we play
Like we dance
Only today
There’s no tomorrow

Leave all behind
Tn this place
There’s no space
For fear or sorrow

Is it true that you want it
Then act like you mean it
With everyone watching
It’s truth or dare can you feel it

La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la

Is it true that you want it
Then act like you mean it
The while world is watching
It’s truth or dare can you feel it

La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
I dare you

La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
I dare you

- See more at: http://www.footballwood.com/lyrics-of-shakira-la-la-la-la-2014-fifa-world-cup-song-with-video.html#sthash.purvogE7.dpuf

La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la [2X]
I dare you

Feel how the planet’s
become one
beats like a drum
To the same rhythm

Hear the whistle
Kick the ball,
The entire world
Sears like an eagle

In Rio we play
Like we dance
Only today
There’s no tomorrow

Leave all behind
Tn this place
There’s no space
For fear or sorrow

Is it true that you want it
Then act like you mean it
With everyone watching
It’s truth or dare can you feel it

La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la

Is it true that you want it
Then act like you mean it
The while world is watching
It’s truth or dare can you feel it

La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
I dare you

La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
I dare you

- See more at: http://www.footballwood.com/lyrics-of-shakira-la-la-la-la-2014-fifa-world-cup-song-with-video.html#sthash.purvogE7.dpuf

La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la [2X]
I dare you

Feel how the planet’s
become one
beats like a drum
To the same rhythm

Hear the whistle
Kick the ball,
The entire world
Sears like an eagle

In Rio we play
Like we dance
Only today
There’s no tomorrow

Leave all behind
Tn this place
There’s no space
For fear or sorrow

Is it true that you want it
Then act like you mean it
With everyone watching
It’s truth or dare can you feel it

La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la

Is it true that you want it
Then act like you mean it
The while world is watching
It’s truth or dare can you feel it

La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
I dare you

La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
I dare you

- See more at: http://www.footballwood.com/lyrics-of-shakira-la-la-la-la-2014-fifa-world-cup-song-with-video.html#sthash.purvogE7.dpuf

La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la [2X]
I dare you

Feel how the planet’s
become one
beats like a drum
To the same rhythm

Hear the whistle
Kick the ball,
The entire world
Sears like an eagle

In Rio we play
Like we dance
Only today
There’s no tomorrow

Leave all behind
Tn this place
There’s no space
For fear or sorrow

Is it true that you want it
Then act like you mean it
With everyone watching
It’s truth or dare can you feel it

La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la

Is it true that you want it
Then act like you mean it
The while world is watching
It’s truth or dare can you feel it

La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
I dare you

La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
I dare you

Journey Toward Financial Wellness for this Actor...Part 3

Here is Part 3 of the Journey Toward Financial Wellness for this Actor! Yes, this is not the most sexy or interesting material to be watching but, I am learning to appreciate being proactive in my financial education. Being an artist,  I need to make my money stretch and work for me effectively.

Knowledge is power.


For more information on the Actor's Fund go to:   http://www.actorsfund.org/

Here is clip 3:

Financial Wellness Part 3: Credit Health
The Actors Fund Podcast Series are based on workshops that are presented regularly at The Actors Fund's New York and Los Angeles offices. Geared towards assisting entertainment and performing arts professionals, these videos are for you!
The seventh installment in The Actors Fund Podcast Series will help you to assess your credit health. This video shows you how to analyze your personal credit and debt profile, including how to understand your credit report and your credit score. We will also take you through The Actors Fund Credit Accounts Organizer, a self-assessment tool which will give you a simplified snapshot of your pertinent credit and debt information. Credit is important in today's world. Responsible use of credit gives you many valuable options that can improve your financial life. For many people in the entertainment industry, credit is the tool that you use to ensure lifestyle continuity. In other words, paying your bills and putting food on the table when you're in between jobs. When you use your available credit it becomes debt. Debt can limit your options and create undue financial pressure. This segment will not only help you to determine if you have a debt problem, but also to establish a stable method of managing your overall credit health.

Ossie & Ruby Honored at the 27th Kennedy Center Awards

                              


Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee become Kennedy Center Honorees at the 27th Kennedy Center Awards Ceremony..

 Below I found a complete clip of their Kennedy Center Tribute.









Take a moment to catch a glimpse at their tremendous contribution to the American Landscape.