Tuesday, September 23, 2014

The day I found Rocky the Squirrel

Yes, the other day I woke from a nap to find a dead squirrel in my bedroom. Confession: I hate rodents! Even when they are dead it takes me a moment to get the courage to dispose of them. Thankfully, my 13 year old daughter fears only frogs so she usually takes care of them. And I feel no shame. She will be prepared to cook and fearlessly get rid of rodents once she becomes an adult. That makes her ready to live in any urban city.

The death of Rocky just made me even more grateful for my amazing first experience on a television set. And despite his feet up in the air and his stiff fluffy tail, I was still on an adrenaline high from Friday. I got to film a sitcom that will air on NBC in 2015. The quick pace of television reminds me of sketch comedy, improv, and theatre all wrapped in one. Lines are written, rewritten, and direction is given at light speed. It served as a great high five confirmation of my acting abilities. And that being funny is not as easy as it looks.

That dead squirrel did not take away my joy. Despite the mystery of him finding his ass into my room in the first place. Where in the heck did he or she come from? The fear I felt moments after seeing his rotting carcass did nothing to erase my joy. Because this first will most definitely not be my last. I am so excited that faith, hard work and perseverance definitely continue to pay off.

Now Rocky's path came to an end but mine continues like the Energizer bunny. I will admit, I felt not one bit of sadness that the rodent met an untimely demise, but his end did remind me that I should continue no matter what because you never know. And I plan on staying in this actor life until I am forcibly kicked out. For that, I simply want to say, thank you Rocky!

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Be and do you and leave me the frick and frack alone

Moments remind us that we have to follow our path without regret or hesitation. We will always have those who love to tell us how we could do so much better if only. "If only you went back to school you could blah blah blah." "If only you hooked up with so and so your life could be blah blah blah" "If only you went to more open mics folks would blah blah blah" "If only you met this casting director things would blah blah blah" "If only you were not so threatening to my own unfulfilled dreams I would stop telling you if only"

Well let me share my two cents. I am not here to serve as a reminder of what you should be doing. I am here to remind myself always of what I can do.  I am here and on this path because I chose it and it unequivocally chose me.

So since I did not ask for your advice and your "if only" suggestions, I am going to continue down this road until I exhaust all of its possibilities, moments, and lessons. I am going to keep living in my truth and I pray that you find yours before I sock those suggestions and hints right out of your mouth!

So move on our of my path and I will see you on yours soon. And guess what?! I will simply let you be and do you while I simply do me. (drops mic and happily runs off stage left)



Tuesday, September 9, 2014

When should you throw in the towel

A few of my friends have decided to throw in the towel, make some changes, or simply leave this actor life. It has made me ponder just when is it time to exit stage left for good.

I believe it has to do with the reason that brought you to this life in the first place. I did not seek it out, it found me. And ever since, I have been on this road for better or for worse. Many have asked if I seek some great reward or a major payday. I have to honestly say no. I am always seeking the next role that will allow me the privelege of inhabiting a new life for a few moments. Something that will stretch me as an artist. And I have to admit, I love it! It makes me crazy at times when work is not flowing in but it is a rush.

But there are moments that this life is little challenging or makes me frustrated. And those moments remind me to dig deeper and not focus on the negative, which is easier said than done. Exercise or a half pitcher of sangria or both make it all better.

There is an ebb and flow to all all journeys. No matter the career choice. No matter the decision. There is a positive and negative. And the riskier the path, the better the payoff, but it is layered with even more uncertainty and unknowns. The closer you come to an epiphany, the more challenges arise.

Let's face it. Who in their right mind would choose a career path with little to no guarantees and not many work opportunities for black females? Me!!!

I may throw in the towel when the challenges become too great or I simply stop loving what I am doing. Loving this life is what makes everything worthwhile including the challenges. This walk of faith requires a great deal of love for self and a belief that you are truly not alone. And I know that I am not.

And that makes all the difference.