Railroad Tracks

During an interview with Paul Bradshaw, Pastor Rick Warren used an analogy with railroad tracks to describe our existence on Earth. The short interview has traveled the internet for quite a while and is certainly worth reading. Why the significance, now? Because I think many of us operate our daily lives on multi-train tracks that cross over and under and around each other; sometimes, entangling themselves and eventually halting or crashing several cars or the entire train. I just survived a mini-crash with cars intact, but I left a few behind for another conductor. My train is moving much better now and the cars that are connected belong with each other. Journey is much better. This, my friends, is the problem with being good at multi-tasking, or if I may say it without sounding pompous, pretty damn good at a lot of things. Not sure why it has taken me this long to finally figure out which cars should be in my train, and how to focus on one set of tracks instead of 20 lanes of interstate, but it did. Ever had one of those moments of clarity? Like, what-the-fuck-am-I-doing clarity. Those are rich. I tend to fall into things because I like variety and challenges and I like accomplishing a new endeavor. But, at what cost, right? So, where does that leave me? With a focus on radio and fitness, yes, but in a way in which I can reach more of you! I'm settling into a few PT clients; my weekly radio show that is steadily gaining momentum and molding my new fitness business as a Beachbody coach, which allows me to support and motivate an unlimited amount of people. I guess I've always been ashamed or fearful of admitting that I want to do BIG things. It feels grandiose and conceded. But, I've left that cargo behind for someone else. I got a strong "hit" and several messages that made it clear and I trust my faith and the energy of this universe. I now have just a few cars on just a few tracks and I can manage those and keep them fueled properly. I know that just because I can do something well, doesn't mean I need to take it on. I am profoundly grateful for this clarity and focus and I hope and pray that anyone reading this has found the same. I won't say that I've wasted a lot of gas on the interstates, because I am who I am from my experiences and I appreciate all of them, but it's reassuring to know that I can choose to jump track for a quick ride to an acting or VO gig, but I won't be re-attaching that car to my train. Got too many cars? On too many tracks? Going too fast? Going the wrong direction? Lost in transit? Carrying loads of shit? I feel you. Take care of it. You can thank me later!

Crackberries, Trippin' and ROI

I have been focusing more on radio and fitness lately and less on my acting and VO stuff. A welcome break from about two years of insane L.A., driving, wacky non-union casting calls and endless internet VO submissions. One day, after a pretty cool gig - that at one point would have left me dancing on clouds yet now left me feeling comfortably grateful - I started to think about my ROIs (return on investments). It's a frightening concept if you give yourself time to think about it in depth. But, it also gives you clarity and direction. And, there's no better time to quietly reflect than on a vacation, (before you upgrade to a crack-phone, of course). The term "trippin" is, quite honestly, correct. I prefer the non-drug altering type, but whatever...it hit me at the Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The ROI for the family that has been carving away at this monument is tremendous in an almost immeasurable way. I can't do the story justice without writing several pages but it did remind me of this: when we are pursuing our dreams, sometimes the sweat and tears amount to buckets and sometimes they come fleetingly. Sometimes the returns are tangible and sometimes, not. And, when we are in the middle of it, it's hard to know if what we are doing is worth it. Especially if you don't know what IT is. When was the last time you took a time-out from your normal schedule and traveled at least a few hours (or mega hours) to get perspective on IT? It's difficult to do unless you are AWAY from that which stares you in the face everyday. Standing in front of this gigantic, beautiful, barely-finished carving, thinking of the sacrifices and the poignant stories that follow the Native American Indians...visualizing my home and my daily activities and my frustrations and my joys and how MY personal journey affects those I care about so deeply, it suddenly became easy to distinguish the better choices I've made. I'm not saying that the hours driving to downtown L.A., or Burbank weren't worth it, I'm just saying that I have a better perspective on my big picture ROI and how the smaller pieces fit into IT. So...I'm feeling really good and super "freed" up to enjoy right where I am; to accept that I am really diggin' radio and fitness right now (even though I used to tell myself that I had moved on from those careers and that I needed to focus on acting and VO work); to accept that I can go on auditions once in a while and that I can pursue some VO gigs when I feel like it; that it was okay to change my podcast from bi-weekly to monthly and that if I were to join another realm of life (the next one after this earthly one), that I would have done a good job with my RIO's and my Blackberry, for God's sake! What about YOU? What about IT? Oh, yeah, and what about those Crack-Phones, right? Addicting? Hell, yes. I can see how that might happen, especially when I figure out how to work it. Thank goodness I got my phone during the last two days of our trip. I refuse to become one of those annoying Crack-Berry Heads! Especially, now that I have Crazy-Horse-Memorial perspective. It's time to get your own, or renew it. And, may you find peace and joy while you do!