actor/singer/composer-lyricist/musical director/vocal coach
What is it like to live as a theatre artist? Join me as I explore the everyday, behind-the-scenes, real life stories of what it takes to make this journey happen!
Michael contacted me with the theme of Creating/Making, and I thought, “Oh. I don’t do either of those things.” Yesterday, I decided to explore what it means to be considered an artist, when you feel like you’re not.
Read More(This blog was inspired by multiple episodes of The Spark File podcast - it’s well worth the listen!)
Since the inauguration of our current President just over 3 years ago (read: 9 lifetimes ago), there have been reports of people feeling the effects of a new phenomenon, which has been labeled as:
“Activism/Social Justice Fatigue or Burnout”
Burnout was originally defined as:
“A state of physical and mental exhaustion caused by one’s professional life.”
But Activism Burnout? This phenomenon is not restricted to professional/work environments. Many people feeling this phenomenon are quite young and still very much in school.
Activism Burnout is due to having to constantly fight against the larger state of being of a society, country, legal system, and world in which social injustices and humanitarian crises are running rampant, fed by those who couldn’t care less about other humans or the future.
Oh, plus - ya know - the normal everyday stressors of individual life.
So, what to do?
Read MoreAs I’ve said on this blog many a time, I love information and I love learning. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that I’m a big fan of podcasts.
Since I drive to Long Island for work 5-7 days per week, I spend a lot of time in the car, which is where I usually listen to podcasts. And in addition to the history and language podcasts that I’ve taken to, I also try to listen to podcasts about the business and creativity as well.
And it was in this vein that this fall I began listening to The Spark File.
“What is a Spark File?”
“Where do I get one"?”
“What do I file in it?”
These are all excellent questions, and Laura Camien and Susan Blackwell have the answers.
Read MoreLately, I’ve been hearing a common refrain from people throughout my life - friends, family, students, parents, and even strangers and acquaintances on social media…
“I’m just so tired. Everything is exhausting.”
And when exploring this a little further, I’ve begun to notice a pattern. A very common pattern, in fact, and one that I have fallen into many times.
Does this - or something like it - sound familiar?
Wake up
Caffeinate/Eat
Work
Eat
Work
Exercise perhaps?
Obligations
Eat
Obligations
Zombie out in front of electronics
Sleep
Rinse and repeat.
This is a common pattern - and I have absolutely nothing against patterns or routines, I personally thrive off them! But the above doesn’t seem to be leaving much, if any, time for joy.
Now, I’m not talking about carving out big periods of time on a daily basis for “relaxation” or regularly skiving off obligations to instead do something fun. What I’m talking about is finding a way to include just a little bit of joy in your daily life. Just a little bit of sunshine amidst all the necessities.
But how?
Read MoreSociety - particularly American society - loves to demonize or to “other” art and artists.
We deride people who create:
“Oh, you’re an artist? You’re one of those.”
“Oh, you’re a writer? I wish I could sit at home all day.”
“Oh, you’re an actor? You must love starving.”
These are of course specific examples using common ideas and tropes, but these kinds of reactions are common and probably sound familiar to you.
We tell people who want to go into the arts:
“Why would you to throw your life away?”
“But you have so much potential!”
“But there’s no money in the arts!”
Being a creator is clearly seen as being *less than,* but why? Less than what? Why would we consider becoming an artist or writer or performer or designer a path that is throwing your life away or not using your skills and talents?
Well, Capitalism.
But this type of thinking and behavior not only can be unlearned, but it needs to be unlearned. Art and the products of creation are everywhere, but we’ve been conditioned to have a blind spot for most of it, and what we do see we are told to feel contempt for. Let’s just see how pervasive art is, shall we?
Read MoreBusy-ness (not to be confused with the Business) is - if everyone is to be believed - the Number 1 Cause of Nothing-Ever-Happening. That’s right, simply being busy.
“But Michael, everyone I know is busy. I mean, I know I’m busy. All the time!”
I hear you and I understand what you’re saying, but I’m going to let in you on a secret that I was given which has truly changed the way I think about time and productivity. You ready?
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