NO!
I am on the back third of what has probably become the busiest 2 1/2
weeks of my life. Every type of work that I am involved with has
converged on these 2 1/2 weeks. I could see it all happening months
ago - as if everything was aligning itself to fall on the dates
between December 1st and December 19th. I am not out of the woods yet
- and it has all been a blur (too cliche?).
Here is a quick breakdown of the activities:
* 6 improv/comedy shows
* 3 days shooting a film
* 2 all-day "Self-improvement" workshops - as the host
* 2 video production projects (film, edit, ship)
* 4 church services - as the host
* my normal imrpov teaching schedule
* attempting to be a father and husband everywhere in between
Even as I write this I know that I am leaving some things off. Put
simply - it has been nuts. But, I can honestly say - it has been
harmonious chaos. Now, my point of this blog isn't to say, "Wow -
look how busy I am!" I am sure all of you might invite me to walk in
your shoes for a few weeks ( I wear size 11), but what I really want
to convey is how I have been getting through the madness - and maybe
you can apply it to your own.
NO!
"No" is an awful word for me. I have a hard time saying "no." Heck,
even yesterday, amidst all the "stuff" I have going, I couldn't say
"no" to one of my teenage acting students who wants me to help her
with a video tomorrow. "No" also goes against everything that
improvisation stands for (see previous blog but make sure you scroll down) - but these past few
weeks, I have discovered that there are certain times in your life
when you need to know the power of the word "no!"
All of the activities I am working on right now fall in-line with my
personal purpose. A couple of months ago I wrote about my own
personal purpose statement - and how I use my purpose statement as a
measuring stick to know if what I am involved with is worth my time.
With all of these activities - they are on purpose. So, during this
time - I have been praying each day for harmony, order, strength,
joy, energy, creativity, intelligence, grace, patience, etc. to help
me do everything that I need to do. My wife also knew that she was
going to need to pick up a lot of extra slack because of my schedule
- so she needed to be at her best as well.
In my "self-improvement" workshop that I created and present - there
is a scene from the movie "Matrix" that I show. In this climactic
scene, Keanu Reeves finally realizes he is indeed "The One," and in
the process sees how he is invincible to any evil (this is my
personal breakdown). I have seen this scene many times, but when I
was showing it in the workshop last week I noticed a detail I had
previously ignored. As the villains raise their guns and shoot at him
- he looks at them with complete peace and calm and whispers, "no."
It is only a whisper - but the strength and fearlessness behind the
whispers speaks volumes.
In his perfect state of mind, the dozen or so bullets flying at him
approach is slow-motion. He does not move - he is not afraid, and as
the bullets finally get to him he calmly raises his hand to stop
them. Now, this is my favorite part - the bullets stop altogether -
and he gently grabs one of the bullets, examines it, and then all of
the bullets fall to the floor harmlessly.
NO!
Here is the connection I made. Keanu (Neo) was on purpose. Anything
trying to attack or distract the work he needed to do is powerless.
In my opinion, we all have this ability. In Romans in the Bible it is
put plainly, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" Think about
that in practical terms. If the work you are doing is Godly - and I
believe that any work we do that expresses pure and compassionate
qualities is being for God. Anything that is an act of love - or an
expression of our highest ability is Godly because we are living our
highest idea of ourself. If that is the work we are doing - what can
stop us?
Bosses, co-workers, deadlines, sickness, lack of ability?
NO!
This has tried to happen in a few different ways during my span of
work. Before my first real crazy day my wife got sick and had to
spend the whole day in bed. I knew I couldn't do what I needed to do
without a healthy Hollister (her name). As she got some extra rest
and took care of herself I resisted the temptation to feel anxious or
stressed about "what if she doesn't feel better?" I didn't go there
though. I knew that she was living her purpose as well - so what
could be against her. I prayed, made sure I was only seeing her in
her perfect light - and I let it go. She woke up the next morning
fully recovered and ready to pick up my slack ;)
NO!
There have been numerous times over this period where I had no idea
how I was going to get something done. My heart would start pumping,
I would get anxious and begin to fear the consequences. But then I
would just force myself to say "no." Instead, I have taken each task
one step at a time. Not worrying about the next job - but focusing on
the one at hand - knowing that God (Love) would provide me with
everything I need to get the job done. Not worrying about the future
- but concentrating on the now..."who can be against us?"
As I sit here right now and finish this blog - I know there is still
a ton left that I need to finish...and I will. I had to force myself
to do this blog today - because the other part of me was trying to
scare me into thinking ahead. But I love this blog - and I know that
I needed to share with everyone where I was right now.
I will be traveling over the holidays - so this is probably my last
blog for the year. I want to wish every single of you a very Happy
Holidays! I am so grateful for everyone that takes the time to read
this blog - and I am always inspired by your feedback. I look forward
to seeing where Travis Inc. will venture in 2007. "If God is with us,
who can be against us?"
I am expecting big things for myself in the coming year?
YES!
Much love,
Travis
weeks of my life. Every type of work that I am involved with has
converged on these 2 1/2 weeks. I could see it all happening months
ago - as if everything was aligning itself to fall on the dates
between December 1st and December 19th. I am not out of the woods yet
- and it has all been a blur (too cliche?).
Here is a quick breakdown of the activities:
* 6 improv/comedy shows
* 3 days shooting a film
* 2 all-day "Self-improvement" workshops - as the host
* 2 video production projects (film, edit, ship)
* 4 church services - as the host
* my normal imrpov teaching schedule
* attempting to be a father and husband everywhere in between
Even as I write this I know that I am leaving some things off. Put
simply - it has been nuts. But, I can honestly say - it has been
harmonious chaos. Now, my point of this blog isn't to say, "Wow -
look how busy I am!" I am sure all of you might invite me to walk in
your shoes for a few weeks ( I wear size 11), but what I really want
to convey is how I have been getting through the madness - and maybe
you can apply it to your own.
NO!
"No" is an awful word for me. I have a hard time saying "no." Heck,
even yesterday, amidst all the "stuff" I have going, I couldn't say
"no" to one of my teenage acting students who wants me to help her
with a video tomorrow. "No" also goes against everything that
improvisation stands for (see previous blog but make sure you scroll down) - but these past few
weeks, I have discovered that there are certain times in your life
when you need to know the power of the word "no!"
All of the activities I am working on right now fall in-line with my
personal purpose. A couple of months ago I wrote about my own
personal purpose statement - and how I use my purpose statement as a
measuring stick to know if what I am involved with is worth my time.
With all of these activities - they are on purpose. So, during this
time - I have been praying each day for harmony, order, strength,
joy, energy, creativity, intelligence, grace, patience, etc. to help
me do everything that I need to do. My wife also knew that she was
going to need to pick up a lot of extra slack because of my schedule
- so she needed to be at her best as well.
In my "self-improvement" workshop that I created and present - there
is a scene from the movie "Matrix" that I show. In this climactic
scene, Keanu Reeves finally realizes he is indeed "The One," and in
the process sees how he is invincible to any evil (this is my
personal breakdown). I have seen this scene many times, but when I
was showing it in the workshop last week I noticed a detail I had
previously ignored. As the villains raise their guns and shoot at him
- he looks at them with complete peace and calm and whispers, "no."
It is only a whisper - but the strength and fearlessness behind the
whispers speaks volumes.
In his perfect state of mind, the dozen or so bullets flying at him
approach is slow-motion. He does not move - he is not afraid, and as
the bullets finally get to him he calmly raises his hand to stop
them. Now, this is my favorite part - the bullets stop altogether -
and he gently grabs one of the bullets, examines it, and then all of
the bullets fall to the floor harmlessly.
NO!
Here is the connection I made. Keanu (Neo) was on purpose. Anything
trying to attack or distract the work he needed to do is powerless.
In my opinion, we all have this ability. In Romans in the Bible it is
put plainly, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" Think about
that in practical terms. If the work you are doing is Godly - and I
believe that any work we do that expresses pure and compassionate
qualities is being for God. Anything that is an act of love - or an
expression of our highest ability is Godly because we are living our
highest idea of ourself. If that is the work we are doing - what can
stop us?
Bosses, co-workers, deadlines, sickness, lack of ability?
NO!
This has tried to happen in a few different ways during my span of
work. Before my first real crazy day my wife got sick and had to
spend the whole day in bed. I knew I couldn't do what I needed to do
without a healthy Hollister (her name). As she got some extra rest
and took care of herself I resisted the temptation to feel anxious or
stressed about "what if she doesn't feel better?" I didn't go there
though. I knew that she was living her purpose as well - so what
could be against her. I prayed, made sure I was only seeing her in
her perfect light - and I let it go. She woke up the next morning
fully recovered and ready to pick up my slack ;)
NO!
There have been numerous times over this period where I had no idea
how I was going to get something done. My heart would start pumping,
I would get anxious and begin to fear the consequences. But then I
would just force myself to say "no." Instead, I have taken each task
one step at a time. Not worrying about the next job - but focusing on
the one at hand - knowing that God (Love) would provide me with
everything I need to get the job done. Not worrying about the future
- but concentrating on the now..."who can be against us?"
As I sit here right now and finish this blog - I know there is still
a ton left that I need to finish...and I will. I had to force myself
to do this blog today - because the other part of me was trying to
scare me into thinking ahead. But I love this blog - and I know that
I needed to share with everyone where I was right now.
I will be traveling over the holidays - so this is probably my last
blog for the year. I want to wish every single of you a very Happy
Holidays! I am so grateful for everyone that takes the time to read
this blog - and I am always inspired by your feedback. I look forward
to seeing where Travis Inc. will venture in 2007. "If God is with us,
who can be against us?"
I am expecting big things for myself in the coming year?
YES!
Much love,
Travis