Albert Einstein said...

"The definition of Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results." With 2011 right around the corner, I feel it important to share my story.

Since September 2009, I dedicated myself to step out of this same. The same being a life where I found myself in a dead-end corporate job, playing safe & calculating all negative-associated risks before making an action, and seeking the "security" that only the ego/society seeks. I abandoned my grandparents & parents' ideas of success (get married and have kids and wait until retirement to enjoy my dreams and goals) and chose that I can have my dreams and goals now and the rest will fall into place.

A variety of sources from the TV, internet and even your average lady at the supermarket will tell you the economy is bad; and they have been repeating this now for 5+ years. In July of 2009, the corporation I was working for alerted us to a company downsize (though they called it something else) and would be letting people go as the department was to slowly shut down. Watching many people's reactions to the news, I saw three types of people: the majority were angry and felt betrayed; some who were paralyzed; and a few were grateful. I was one who was grateful. After much anticipation of placing priority to my dream as an actor, this event liberated me. It freed me and provided proof that I was to be more than where I was. The planets have aligned, the door has been opened, Opportunity has met preparation. This was my moment: Do I jump out of the airplane? Or do I act ignorant to the open door and pretend that the familiar is the only way of success?

I jumped. And to my surprise, I continue to land on my feet time after time after time. I began 2010 in a new city, a new job, and a new outlook on life. Now as I close 2010 with major successes in a major city, the new outlook has supported my desired lifestyle. I am a lot closer than I was in 2009.

There were challenges, there still are challenges, and there always will be challenges. I have been fortunate in many ways and in many aspects of my life. I have discovered much joy, happiness, and pleasure in being who I am at true heart and soul. This is the greatest blessing that has occurred in my life. I encourage you to embrace your truth. The beautiful thing about embracing and going for your truth lifestyle is no one else can contribute to what you can. But, only you know what it is; disengage from searching for it in those around you or anticipating others to provide your truth only causes regret, anger, confusion and ultimately, dis-ease. What have I learned over the past year to as guidance? Here's what I have found...

1. Really get to know your Self.
Be compassionate while you do this. My Vocal Coach encourages to treat oneself as if one were a child. Even the littlest growth is important. Much like when a child first learns to sit up, then stand, then take its first steps. It is celebrated, appreciated, and at its own pace. You may discover things about yourself you love, things you hate, and things you realize you have been holding on to that no longer serve you in the direction of your life. I encourage you to allow yourself: let go that which no longer serves. Sometimes it only takes a few hours to cleanse a habit/behavior/belief that no longer serves you. Other times it may take weeks, or even months--or it may resurface after being dormant after much time. There are great books and websites providing strategies to help the discovery of you. There's great people who are around you that can help you make a step every day. My best advice, keep in mind a person can only bring you as far as they have experienced; and follow your intuition. Would you expect a receptionist to be able to tell you how to become the CEO of the company? No.

2. Take the First Step
The most daunting, yet most rewarding action to do in life. When you commit to abandon all fear, allow yourself a loving breath acknowledging you have everything you need to start, and make the first step toward your new goal/lifestyle, three things happen: you sleep better, you find yourself feeling better overall in each aspect of your life, and you begin placing better perspective on your current situation. When I took the first step toward acting, I saw my customer service job in a new light. It was a resource. I began to enjoy going into work because I saw it as a helper not a hinderance.


3. Become aware of choices you make in each moment, especially the moments you don't see as "important"
As my acting coach says, "Character is built in the small details." This is true on stage, screen AND everyday life. How often do you overlook actions that are not in line with who you are? I wanted to keep in great shape but every time I went to the store, I bought a Hershey's Cookie & Cream bar and "overlook" it. When I stopped overlooking became aware to how often this was happening, I was eating between 4-5 bars a week! Wow! Although I will say, when beginning a new challenging goal, sometimes mediocre is hard enough to reach. But once you've reached that, it's up to you to look into the smaller details, decide to take it to the next level and be great! There is not a day that doesn't require your best in some portion of your life, why not start by being aware of what smaller actions are undermining your forward movement. How you approach, take action, and follow through on each step to your goal as well as the depth you do each part determines the results you achieve and experience.


I was listening to NPR news and a Producer concluded the year of 2010 could be summed up in one word: Mean. In a world where negativity is rewarded, it's no wonder that society has come to this point to me. It's time to change that. To quote a great motivational man, Gary Ryan Blair:

"Consciously give serious exposure to whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—expose yourself accordingly."

Make 2011 Great! See you then!

Sending Love and Happiness,
Roe