Story #63: taking it slow

Before I throw myself back into the modeling and acting world, maybe it would be best to go with the flow and make the most of this "slow season" -- all actors and models have dry periods, which is why there is no financial stability in this line of work (unless you're a superstar). I will start off with a self examination; answering the life questions that will hopefully help me figure out myself as well as what I want to do with my life if acting and modeling does not pan out. Second, to fully re-energize myself for the hectic days to come. And third, to create good habits again. Go to sleep at a more reasonable time, eat healthier and exercise. I know this has come up a lot, but these past couple weeks have honestly been terrible. I really need to make a genuine effort in this area.

But before I can move on, I have to figure out what I truly believe. I understand what Denzel Washington was trying to get at during his 2011 Commencement speech at the University of Pennsylvania, reference: Story #38.

I found that nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks…I never understood that concept, having something to fall back on. If I’m going to fall, I don’t want to fall back on anything, except my faith. I want to fall forward" spoken words by Denzel Washington at UPenn's 2011 Commencement

(there was a glitch when I posted this causing everything after this was deleted. I rewrote everything to the best of my memory)

From what I gather, risks are to be taken head on. So, stop packing the emergency flares, stop creating back up plan #1, 2 and 3, and stop carrying around a Marry Poppins bag. All of these things hold you back from taking a leap of faith and just experiencing the risk for what it's worth. You'll never be able to fly as high as you can if you are always strapped down to something. I love this idea, but in the back of my mind, I wonder about the flip side. Not the far end of the spectrum where you live risk free.

“The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live.” ~ Leo F. Buscaglia (Thinkexist.com)

Through risks you grow as a person. And no matter what risks are taken, there are only two outcomes: you succeed with more experience and confidence under your belt or you fail and become wiser and more experienced. Either way, it was the next needed step to get somewhere new in life. So if the answer is not falling forward, and the obvious solution is not to stop taking risks, then that leaves the idea shared with the director of Blue Bloods. You should take risks and pursue your dreams, but you should be wise. Especially in the line of business that I have entered in where everyone are fickle and where success is not based on merit, but primarily on who you know and what you can do with your connections. So wouldn't it be smart to use my UPenn degree or feel out the waters in other interests that are reasonable enough to make a career? Maybe I can start on my studies for needed to obtain a job in the education or medical field. It doesn't matter what the options are or what options are taken but the idea is to have a back up plan in case things fall through. Why waste time? If all ends poorly at least there will be something fall back on so that I don't have to start from scratch.

Or can it be that there is more of a middle ground. Take risks head on but stay well rounded. Keep honing the skills acquired over a lifetime but not with the idea that they are tying you down, or that they are to be considered a back up plan. But more in the notion of having the skills to being the best person you can be -- finding the middle ground of being a person that is a jack of all trades and being the master of one. Basically what it boils down to, is that you need to trust in yourself and your abilities. Do what ever it takes to believe that even if you take a wrong turn and all spirals out of hand, that when you hit rock bottom, you will be able to get back up and begin a new journey.

And I leave you with these last words from Denzel Washington:

"To not only take risks, but to be open to life. To accept new views and to be open to new opinions...while it may be frightening, it will also be rewarding. Because the chances you take, the people you meet, the people you love, the faith that you have, that's what's going to define you" (Story #38)

More updates are sure to come! -- updates will be here sooner than you think, got something going on Friday, all weather permitting
Mucho <3