As a grown up, I realize that through the course of life I have learned many valuable lessons. Some of them were taught to me by my mom and dad. Some of them I learned in school and through expereience. Many of them I learned from my aunts. Now, I am an aunt and my oldest niece recently started kindergarten. I know that they say everything you need to know you learn in kindergarten. I disagree. I believe that there are some things that one cannot learn in a classroom. These are lessons that can only be learned by living. So, here it is. A year's worth of tiny words of wisdom for all of the nieces and nephews out there, or really for anyone who will listen. They may not work for everybody and you may not agree with all of them, but each is a rule that I either try to live by or wish I did.
# 22 If you see a penny, pick it up.
I know quite a few people who actually throw pennies away. Perhaps they do this because pennies are annoying, and take a long time to save. Pennies are still money, just like nickels, dimes and dollars. Everytime that I find money on the ground, I pick it up and then it goes immediately into a jar. Let's just say that in a lifetime, these people throw away 1,000,000 pennies. This is $10,000. At a bank, with the interest on that, those people are just throwing away a total of $11,000. I don't know about you, but there are a lot of things I could do with that much money.
I always pick up change, no matter how small. It goes into a jar and as a rule, I try never to spend it, sans the few pieces that I try to give away each day. I recently opened a savings account and more than half of my opening deposit was change that I had been dropping in a jar for the last year. It really doesn't take that much effort to save pennies. Why throw them out? Money is good to have, no matter the amount. If you want to throw your pennies away, please just send them my way. I promise to give them a good home.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Lightening Bugs
As a grown up, I realize that through the course of life I have learned many valuable lessons. Some of them were taught to me by my mom and dad. Some of them I learned in school and through experience. Many of them were taught to me by my aunts. Now, I am an aunt and my oldest niece recently started kindergarten. I know that they say everything you need to know you learn in kindergarten. I disagree. I believe that there are some things that one cannot learn in a classroom. These are lessons that can only be learned by living. So, here it is. A year's worth of advice for all of the nieces and nephews out there, or really for anyone who will listen. They may not work for everybody and you may not agree with all of them, but each is a rule that I either try to live by or wish I did.
# 21 Catch Lightening bugs in jar... but let them go.
In the days before Wii and Iphones and Facebook, and DVD players, etc., summer, in the south was a glorious playing field. Anything was possible when the sun didn't go down until after 9. A child could stay outside all day long and get dirty, make mud pies, ride bikes, come in for dinner and then have at least three more hours left of the day. However, the best part of the day was that moment right after the sun had made its final bow into the night.
This was the moment when the lightening bugs came out. I always stopped and stood silently for just a moment as the lightening bugs began to make their presence known once again. I was always encouraged to catch them in a jar, but I was always supposed to let them go.
I would catch a couple, or a few, because lightening bugs get lonely very easily, and I would watch them ignite their beautiful flames. Their lights would flicker for a few brief moments and then I would unscrew the lid of the jar and send them on their way. Then I would do it again.
"Nature's night light" is what my Grandma called them. "They light up so all of God's creatures can find their way home at night."
It is such a peaceful twinkling of time to stand in the middle of a freshly mowed yard with a jar full of lightening bugs flickering. The soundtrack is the song that the crickets and the Katydids have chosen for the evening's entertainment. There is a still in the air and the smell of rain on the horizon. Children find these moments and cherish them. Why can't we catch lightening bugs in a jar as adults?
I highly encourage you, in these final days of summer, to go out in your yard, or someone else's and catch some lightening bugs in a jar. Watch them glow for a moment and then let them go so that all of God's creatures can find their way home.
# 21 Catch Lightening bugs in jar... but let them go.
In the days before Wii and Iphones and Facebook, and DVD players, etc., summer, in the south was a glorious playing field. Anything was possible when the sun didn't go down until after 9. A child could stay outside all day long and get dirty, make mud pies, ride bikes, come in for dinner and then have at least three more hours left of the day. However, the best part of the day was that moment right after the sun had made its final bow into the night.
This was the moment when the lightening bugs came out. I always stopped and stood silently for just a moment as the lightening bugs began to make their presence known once again. I was always encouraged to catch them in a jar, but I was always supposed to let them go.
I would catch a couple, or a few, because lightening bugs get lonely very easily, and I would watch them ignite their beautiful flames. Their lights would flicker for a few brief moments and then I would unscrew the lid of the jar and send them on their way. Then I would do it again.
"Nature's night light" is what my Grandma called them. "They light up so all of God's creatures can find their way home at night."
It is such a peaceful twinkling of time to stand in the middle of a freshly mowed yard with a jar full of lightening bugs flickering. The soundtrack is the song that the crickets and the Katydids have chosen for the evening's entertainment. There is a still in the air and the smell of rain on the horizon. Children find these moments and cherish them. Why can't we catch lightening bugs in a jar as adults?
I highly encourage you, in these final days of summer, to go out in your yard, or someone else's and catch some lightening bugs in a jar. Watch them glow for a moment and then let them go so that all of God's creatures can find their way home.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Haunted Houses
As a grown up, I realize that through the course of life I have learned many valuable lessons. Some of them were taught to me by my mom and dad. Some of them I learned in school and through experience. Many of them were taught to me by my aunts. Now, I am an aunt and my oldest niece recently started kindergarten. I know that they say everything you need to know you learn in kindergarten. I disagree. I believe that there are some things that one cannot learn in a classroom. These are lessons that can only be learned by living. So, here it is. A year's worth of tiny words of wisdom for all of the nieces and nephews out there, or really for anyone who will listen. They may not work for everybody, and you may may not agree with all of them, but each is a rule that I either try to live by or wish I did.
# 20 Haunted houses are not REAL
I know that it isn't Halloween. I also know that it really isn't even fall. However, recent events in my life have caused me to think about this fact. I was recently cast is the town of Sleepy Hollow's haunted Hallowen attraction as an undead, creepy character. There has been a lot of talk about prosthetics, makeup, colored contacts, costumes, etc.
I have always been scared easily. I still open my closet and check under my bed before I sleep. I look behind shower curtains and like to have a light on while I am sleeping. When I am in a city where I drive, I still check the backseat before getting into the car.
Once, when I was probably eight, nine at the most, I BEGGED my brother to take my friend and me to this haunted house. I begged and begged and he kept saying no. Finally, much to his dismay, he agreed. He usually caved in where I was concerned. So my friend came over for a sleep over and then we went to the haunted house. I was terrified, but I wanted to prove to my brother (and myself) that I could be brave. We waited in line and the anticipation grew and grew. Finally it was our turn to go in. He took my hand and said "are you sure?" I nodded, simply because my throat had closed up and I was no longer capable of speaking.
I would like to tell you that I made it the whole way through. I would actually like to tell you that I even made it halfway through. I feel the truth is that I possibly made it 2 minutes... maybe.... but to me, at the time, it was an eternity. The details are rather vague because perhaps I have blocked them out. I remember screaming until I thought my throat was going to bleed, and it's possible that it did. I remember crying until I thought there couldn't possibly be anymore tears. I vaguely remember my brother picking me up, and all of a sudden this kind lady came out from the shadows. I don't know where she came from, but now I am certain that her only job in the haunted house was to act as sort of a guardian angel and follow around the kids who stand in line and try to be brave. She looked like Snow White, and I think I remember her taking my hand and walking me up to a warewolf or a goblin and then he took his mask off. He was a person, probably my brother's age. He could have been one of my brother's friends. He hugged me and told me not to be scared.
Looking back, I realize that at this point I should have been able to acquire my bravery badge and continue, but I just couldn't. The lights came on for a brief minute, and no one was allowed in until they got me to safety.
Since then, I have had the opportunity to play a zombie in a small student film. I got to wear prosthetics, make up, and even chew on some plastic legs. Now, again, I have the opportunity to be one of those scary creatures. I have I will get to see all of my fellow cast members in their make up and I hope that being on the other side of such a fabulous haunted attraction will help me to overcome my fears of haunted houses. I just hope it doesn't give me nightmares. Just kidding.
Haunted Houses are not real. The people and the actors are very much real, but the threat is not.
# 20 Haunted houses are not REAL
I know that it isn't Halloween. I also know that it really isn't even fall. However, recent events in my life have caused me to think about this fact. I was recently cast is the town of Sleepy Hollow's haunted Hallowen attraction as an undead, creepy character. There has been a lot of talk about prosthetics, makeup, colored contacts, costumes, etc.
I have always been scared easily. I still open my closet and check under my bed before I sleep. I look behind shower curtains and like to have a light on while I am sleeping. When I am in a city where I drive, I still check the backseat before getting into the car.
Once, when I was probably eight, nine at the most, I BEGGED my brother to take my friend and me to this haunted house. I begged and begged and he kept saying no. Finally, much to his dismay, he agreed. He usually caved in where I was concerned. So my friend came over for a sleep over and then we went to the haunted house. I was terrified, but I wanted to prove to my brother (and myself) that I could be brave. We waited in line and the anticipation grew and grew. Finally it was our turn to go in. He took my hand and said "are you sure?" I nodded, simply because my throat had closed up and I was no longer capable of speaking.
I would like to tell you that I made it the whole way through. I would actually like to tell you that I even made it halfway through. I feel the truth is that I possibly made it 2 minutes... maybe.... but to me, at the time, it was an eternity. The details are rather vague because perhaps I have blocked them out. I remember screaming until I thought my throat was going to bleed, and it's possible that it did. I remember crying until I thought there couldn't possibly be anymore tears. I vaguely remember my brother picking me up, and all of a sudden this kind lady came out from the shadows. I don't know where she came from, but now I am certain that her only job in the haunted house was to act as sort of a guardian angel and follow around the kids who stand in line and try to be brave. She looked like Snow White, and I think I remember her taking my hand and walking me up to a warewolf or a goblin and then he took his mask off. He was a person, probably my brother's age. He could have been one of my brother's friends. He hugged me and told me not to be scared.
Looking back, I realize that at this point I should have been able to acquire my bravery badge and continue, but I just couldn't. The lights came on for a brief minute, and no one was allowed in until they got me to safety.
Since then, I have had the opportunity to play a zombie in a small student film. I got to wear prosthetics, make up, and even chew on some plastic legs. Now, again, I have the opportunity to be one of those scary creatures. I have I will get to see all of my fellow cast members in their make up and I hope that being on the other side of such a fabulous haunted attraction will help me to overcome my fears of haunted houses. I just hope it doesn't give me nightmares. Just kidding.
Haunted Houses are not real. The people and the actors are very much real, but the threat is not.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
When someone compliments you...
As a grown up, I realize that through the course of life I have learned many valuable lessons. Some of them were taught to me by my mom and dad. Some of them I learned in school and though expereience. many of them were taught to me by my aunts. Now, I am an aunt and my oldest niece recently started kindergarten. I know that they say everything you need to know you learn in kindergarten. I disagree. I believe that there are some things that one cannot learn in a classroom. These are lessons that can only be learned by living. So, here it it. A year's worth of advice for all the nieces and nephews out there, or really for anyone who will listen. They may not work for everybody and you may not agree with all of them, but each one is a rule that I either try to live by or wish I did.
# 19 When someone compliments you say "thank you."
In our lives, if we're lucky, we grow up hearing things such as "say please and thank you." We practice these everyday in front of our parents and our teachers, and maybe even our friends. Then we move out of our parents' house and we are no longer in school. It is easy to slip out of doing all of the things that our parents reminded us to do everyday.
I live in New York City, possibly one of the rudest places in the country, if not the world. People bump into you, taxi's honk at you, people yell for no reason. I am also in the service industry, so people love to take their problems out on me. I have this friend at work who is a firm believer in proper etiquitte, even though he can be quite rude when necessary. His number one pet peeve is this: "If someone compliments you, say thank you."
How many times does someone ask us if we have lost weight and we say "oh no, I've actually gained a couple of pounds," or someone tells us they love our new haircut and we say "oh I hate it, she cut way too much off," or someone tells us they love our glasses and we say, "Ugh, I hate wearing glasses, but my new contacts haven't come in yet."
Ok, so maybe those are just things that I say, but we're all guilty of it. Just change my words around and add your own and there you go, a compliment fallen to the wayside. If someone is kind enough to notice those things, and even still, to compliment you on them, for crying out loud, say "thank you." Please. Besides if they are taking the time out of their own hustle and bustle to be kind, then perhaps we can too.
# 19 When someone compliments you say "thank you."
In our lives, if we're lucky, we grow up hearing things such as "say please and thank you." We practice these everyday in front of our parents and our teachers, and maybe even our friends. Then we move out of our parents' house and we are no longer in school. It is easy to slip out of doing all of the things that our parents reminded us to do everyday.
I live in New York City, possibly one of the rudest places in the country, if not the world. People bump into you, taxi's honk at you, people yell for no reason. I am also in the service industry, so people love to take their problems out on me. I have this friend at work who is a firm believer in proper etiquitte, even though he can be quite rude when necessary. His number one pet peeve is this: "If someone compliments you, say thank you."
How many times does someone ask us if we have lost weight and we say "oh no, I've actually gained a couple of pounds," or someone tells us they love our new haircut and we say "oh I hate it, she cut way too much off," or someone tells us they love our glasses and we say, "Ugh, I hate wearing glasses, but my new contacts haven't come in yet."
Ok, so maybe those are just things that I say, but we're all guilty of it. Just change my words around and add your own and there you go, a compliment fallen to the wayside. If someone is kind enough to notice those things, and even still, to compliment you on them, for crying out loud, say "thank you." Please. Besides if they are taking the time out of their own hustle and bustle to be kind, then perhaps we can too.
Friday, September 3, 2010
There are no small parts....
As a grown up, I realize that through the course of life I have learned many valuable lessons. Some of them were taught to me by my mom and dad. Some of them I learned in school and through experience. Many of them weret aught to me by my aunts. Now, I am an aunt and my oldest niece recently started kindergarten. I know that they say everything you need to know you learn in kindergarten. I disagree. I believe that there are many things that one cannot learn in a classroom. These are lessons that can only be learned by living. So, here it is. A year's worth of tiny words of wisdom for all of the nieces and nephews out there, or really for any one who will listen. They may not work for everybody and you may not agree with all of them, but each is a rule that I either try to live by or wish I did.
# 18 There are no small parts, only small actors.
It was definitely originated by Stanislvsky, but since then I have heard it from my mom, my kindergarten, my high school theater teacher, my college theater professor, and as of last night, one of my very good friends. Every role in a play is there for a reason. Without everyone, that show can't go on and we all know that the show MUST go on.
I moved to New York to be an actor. I definitely had a doe eyed perspective about the whole experience. I thought for sure I would move to the city and be famous by now. Well, kids, that is not the way it works. I have been here awhile now and I spent a lot of time "adjusting" and not really auditioning. Now I am more focused and I am in full swing audition mode. I finally went to an audition where I did not know the director and I got cast in a show.
It doesn't pay me any money, and it is not by any means a large role.
However, it is my first real gig. I plan to treat it as if it is my Tony Award winning performance. I will be professional, and show up on time and say "thank you" when I am given a note. I will be the best that I can be, because if I am not, the director will certainly not cast me in the lead in one of his next plays. Without this role, there would be a hole in the script and it would not be complete.
If I had not been the M when my school spelled out Grahamwood, it would have just been Grahawood, and that is just silly. If I had not been the icicle in the kindergarten Christmas pageant, it would have been a year without icicles. If I had not been the zombie in that one film I did, the victims might have actually prevailed.
There are no small parts, only small actors.
# 18 There are no small parts, only small actors.
It was definitely originated by Stanislvsky, but since then I have heard it from my mom, my kindergarten, my high school theater teacher, my college theater professor, and as of last night, one of my very good friends. Every role in a play is there for a reason. Without everyone, that show can't go on and we all know that the show MUST go on.
I moved to New York to be an actor. I definitely had a doe eyed perspective about the whole experience. I thought for sure I would move to the city and be famous by now. Well, kids, that is not the way it works. I have been here awhile now and I spent a lot of time "adjusting" and not really auditioning. Now I am more focused and I am in full swing audition mode. I finally went to an audition where I did not know the director and I got cast in a show.
It doesn't pay me any money, and it is not by any means a large role.
However, it is my first real gig. I plan to treat it as if it is my Tony Award winning performance. I will be professional, and show up on time and say "thank you" when I am given a note. I will be the best that I can be, because if I am not, the director will certainly not cast me in the lead in one of his next plays. Without this role, there would be a hole in the script and it would not be complete.
If I had not been the M when my school spelled out Grahamwood, it would have just been Grahawood, and that is just silly. If I had not been the icicle in the kindergarten Christmas pageant, it would have been a year without icicles. If I had not been the zombie in that one film I did, the victims might have actually prevailed.
There are no small parts, only small actors.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Be irresponsibly lazy...
As a grown up, I realize that in the course of life, I have learned many valuable lessons. Some of them were taught to me by my mom and dad. Some of them I learned in school and through expereince. Many of them were taught to me by my aunts. Now, I am an aunt and my oldest niece recently started kindergarten. I know that they say everything you need to know you learn in kindergarten. I disagree. I believe that there are some things that one cannot learn in a classroom. These are lessons that can only be learned by living. So, here it is. A year's worth of tiny words of wisdom for all of the nieces and nephews out there, or really for anyone who will listen. They may not work for everybody and you may not agree with all of them, but each one is a rule that I either try to live by or wish I did.
# 17 Once a month, be irresponsibly lazy.
Everyone needs a break sometimes. Life bogs us down, and work gets hard, and we get just get crazy busy and so caught up in life that we forget to live it sometimes. This is a rule that I whole heartedly follow.
Once a month I refuse to set an alarm. I sleep as late as my body will possibly let me and I don't do a single productive thing all day. Sometimes my irresponsibly lazy day consists of watching and entire season of The Gilmore Girls, or all of the Harry Potter Movies, or almost finishing one of Diana Gabaldon's novels ... again. Whatever it is that you would love to do, but can never find the time, schedule a day for yourself every month that you can. Stay in your pajamas, and do nothing.
Our bodies get tired. We need to rest them in order for them to keep functioning properly. Our minds also get tired. We also need to rest them to keep them functioning properly. If we continue to put off rest, we will become more tired. I am certain that everyone can find one day within every 30 that they can be irresponsibly lazy. A day where you don't think about work, or practice, or class, or rehearsal, or dinner, or the laundry. A day reserved specifically for you and only you. It will make a world of difference.
Recommended reading: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Recommended TV Watch: The Gilmore Girls Season 5
# 17 Once a month, be irresponsibly lazy.
Everyone needs a break sometimes. Life bogs us down, and work gets hard, and we get just get crazy busy and so caught up in life that we forget to live it sometimes. This is a rule that I whole heartedly follow.
Once a month I refuse to set an alarm. I sleep as late as my body will possibly let me and I don't do a single productive thing all day. Sometimes my irresponsibly lazy day consists of watching and entire season of The Gilmore Girls, or all of the Harry Potter Movies, or almost finishing one of Diana Gabaldon's novels ... again. Whatever it is that you would love to do, but can never find the time, schedule a day for yourself every month that you can. Stay in your pajamas, and do nothing.
Our bodies get tired. We need to rest them in order for them to keep functioning properly. Our minds also get tired. We also need to rest them to keep them functioning properly. If we continue to put off rest, we will become more tired. I am certain that everyone can find one day within every 30 that they can be irresponsibly lazy. A day where you don't think about work, or practice, or class, or rehearsal, or dinner, or the laundry. A day reserved specifically for you and only you. It will make a world of difference.
Recommended reading: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Recommended TV Watch: The Gilmore Girls Season 5
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Love away from home
As a grown up, I realize that through the course of life I have learned many valuable lessons. Some of them were taught to me by my mom and dad. Some of them I learned in school and through expereience. Many of them were taught to me by my aunts. Now, I am an aunt and my oldest niece recently started kindergarten. I know that they say everything you need to know you learn in kindergarten. I disagree. I believe that there are some things that one cannot learn in a classroom. These are lessons that can only be learned by living. So, here it is. A year's worth of tiny words of wisdom for all of the nieces and nephews out there, or really for anyone who will listen. They may not work for everybody and you may not agree with all of them, but each one is a rule taht I either try to live by or wish I did.
# 16 Fall in love in a foreign country.
I know this may sound silly, but trust me, it's worth it. Some times when we travel, we are given moments where we loose all sense of rationality. There you are in a foreign place, and all of a sudden there is someone standing in front of you, that you know immediately that you will never forget.
It happened to me in Scotland. It also coincidently happened to my roomate there. I was there to do a play, and when we got off the bus, he asked me whihc bag was mine and my heart was handed over on silver platter. We spent every free second together on that trip and I saw him four or five times after that, on visits. We kept in touch for a very long time with cards, letters, emails, gifts, etc. He was my soulmate, and today I still believe that he is, or might be. Most people don't actually marry their "soulmate." Most people don't actually even believe in soul mates, or love at first sight, but both of these things exist.
He and I are not together now, nor will we ever be, but that doesn't mean that everytime I look up and see stars, that I don't think about him or wonder how he's doing. He had my heart from the very first time I saw him. My mom always tells me that I give my heart away too quickly, and that may be true, but it sure is worth it at the time.
Fall in love in a foreign country. Give your heart to someone on a silver platter and challenge them to break it. It will definitely be worth it, but it will be the hardest thing you will ever have to let go of. It will possibly be the worst heartbreak you will ever feel, but every second that you spend with this person will be worth every tear you cry when you find out that they are getting married to someone who isn't you.
# 16 Fall in love in a foreign country.
I know this may sound silly, but trust me, it's worth it. Some times when we travel, we are given moments where we loose all sense of rationality. There you are in a foreign place, and all of a sudden there is someone standing in front of you, that you know immediately that you will never forget.
It happened to me in Scotland. It also coincidently happened to my roomate there. I was there to do a play, and when we got off the bus, he asked me whihc bag was mine and my heart was handed over on silver platter. We spent every free second together on that trip and I saw him four or five times after that, on visits. We kept in touch for a very long time with cards, letters, emails, gifts, etc. He was my soulmate, and today I still believe that he is, or might be. Most people don't actually marry their "soulmate." Most people don't actually even believe in soul mates, or love at first sight, but both of these things exist.
He and I are not together now, nor will we ever be, but that doesn't mean that everytime I look up and see stars, that I don't think about him or wonder how he's doing. He had my heart from the very first time I saw him. My mom always tells me that I give my heart away too quickly, and that may be true, but it sure is worth it at the time.
Fall in love in a foreign country. Give your heart to someone on a silver platter and challenge them to break it. It will definitely be worth it, but it will be the hardest thing you will ever have to let go of. It will possibly be the worst heartbreak you will ever feel, but every second that you spend with this person will be worth every tear you cry when you find out that they are getting married to someone who isn't you.
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