If you destroy a bridge, be sure you can swim.
African proverb
********************
We meet again.
---------------------------
Hurry and get your note book ready....
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That African proverb reminds me of one from ancient Rome, from the days before motorized transportation, which goes: "When there is no wind, row."
A few days ago I wrote in this journal of how I left a secure and lucrative job as a radio announcer, which I had held for a couple of years, to go back into theatre. The life of an actor, for most of us, is about as secure as being out on the ocean in a row boat with no compass or chart and not knowing where the nearest land is. Nevertheless, that lack of security is the price paid for doing the work we love.
I knew an actor in New York who held down a full time job, working all night for a law firm. He did theatre on a simple level; readings, workshops and showcases. He was a good actor and could have done a lot more. But he refused to give up his regular job because the thought of not having a steady income with all the benefits frightened him. He said the idea of launching himself into the free lance world of an actor gave him a knot in his stomach.
I told him that the knot in the stomach is normal and no worse than stage fright, that one gets used to it and it becomes less as time goes by. I told him that I made as much money as he did, that the union took care of my insurance and that I could save enough money to give myself a vacation every now and then if I wanted to. And finally I asked him if he was going to spend the rest of his life being controlled by fear.
He thought about everything I said but didn't change his mind. The theatre is losing a good actor and he is losing a good career. The poor fellow never tried to learn how to "swim."
DB - Vagabond Journeys
_______________________
Let it be a happy weekend.
-----------------------------
Loving me in result over 8 sound. (12)
***********************************
SUMMER QUIZ
This is not a contest.
A young man out west just took home 88 million dollars from the lottery.
Whether you play the lottery or not, if you suddenly had 88 million dollars, or the equivalent of whatever your currency is, what are the first three things you would do with it?
You have all summer to answer if you wish.
19 responses so far.
DB
7 comments:
see I can see that guy's hesitation; he was afraid to "jump off the boat" of what was secure to him; fear of the unknown paralyzed him I'm sure
betty
..your friend painfully reminds me a lot about myself, except none has given me such sagely advice, at least not in person.
it also inspired me enough to blog about this post of yours, perhaps as a reminder to resolve this dilemma soon.. (here goes Life is a Decision )
And then there are people like me ... I have a job that pays ok (not well mind you but ok) and yes the thought of being without a steady income and benifits scares me to death so ... instead of jumping back into my authentic life as a freelance photographer and other artsy endevors that being part of my own family and the event coordinating business that it is in ... I choose to put in my time at a job I sort of like and spen my free time dabbling into the things I love when I'm not at work.
I know it's never to late though ... Happy Friday, DB
*** Coy ***
Now why do I smell burning boats?
Perhaps because I love the scent of burning wood.
And the destruction of any boat that would try to take me away from my dream.
IMHO your friend required a life jacket with a gas mask.
Sometimes when we burn our past we should not breathe the fumes it creates.
I have to admit that I don't know how to swim, either. I'm way too practical to take such a chance, but I admire those who do! Hugs, Beth
Security of stable income versus going with your hobby (I say that because if it was a passion, there would be no decision to make), I can understand staying with the income. I would love to be a clown full time, but it would never pay the bills :o)
Interesting how fear in any arena becomes our dictator, our architect, our master - and we let it. I don't have the magic so I can't proffer those wise words that dispel fears but I think at times the emotion is integral to survival. It's in how you look at it and of course, what you're afraid of. While I'd swim away from a whale trying to swallow me, I'd embrace its song. Fear is necessary as well as hindering, I suppose. Okay the 88 mill? I'd throw it in the bank for my grandkids. Boringly honest lol.
Post a Comment