The Power of REST

"Yeah, you look really good. Very well-rested." Due to signing a confidentiality agreement, I cannot say what beautiful man spoke those words to me, but it's one who would make you blush if he smiled at you. But I felt equally elated when another co-worker said almost the exact same thing to me as I was passing through the kitchen at work today.

Good Lord, I must've been pretty worn out before leaving for my Christmas break. Yes, I had the luxury of 10 days away from the grind of NYC. I lounged- I indulged- I exercised (once)- I slept in- I stayed up late- I worked on my play- I spent time with friend- I spent time with my dog- I had more than enough family time & yet still can't get enough of them.

I. Am. Blessed.

And so I returned to the big City in time to watch my beloved Cowboys let their playoff hopes drift away. There is an article circulating on the book of faces about the difficulty of living in the City and pursuing life as an artist. It echoes a chorus of complaints I shared with folks back home & feeling the need to readjust life here. How can I expect my acting career to grow when there is literally NO free space in my schedule? It's the constant struggle between being a starving artist vs. an artist that is starving for creativity.

2013 could be classified as a year without auditions but full of work. Again, I count my good fortune with being offered many projects from folks I've previously worked with and know what I'm capable of. Such a fun way to move through the year, but my final project of the year (that will actually be staged in Feb 2014) I did have to earn the part. The opportunity presented by a dear friend and amazingly talented actor, but I had to work for the part.

I'd like for this trend to continue in the coming year. New & challenging works with talented people at a higher level of professionalism than projects past but with as much heart behind them & demanding more of my artistic self and loving every struggle/discovery along the way. This is my prayer for 2014. Maybe a few more posts in the new year too :)