Goodnight, Whisper House. Goodbye Lake House

Quote of the blog: "If we are growing, we're always going to be out of our comfort zone." John Maxwell

Last weekend, I saw the final performance of Whisper House at the Old Globe. The evolution of a live theatrical production from opening night to closing night is amazing - especially with a new show. Things just get better and better, more and more cohesive, and more and more edgy with this cast and show. I'm excited to see where this show finds itself in a few years! (And I can say I was there for their very first show for their very first run, and the very last show of the first run!) Someday, I hope to work with the amazing talent at the Old Globe. I'm never disappointed when I see one of their productions.

That said, the evolution of change in itself is pretty interesting. Since I'm in the midst of a move, I feel it profoundly. Sometimes it seems as if it's not just my location that's changing. I mean, sure, I'm moving to a condo in the same city I've lived in for my entire 30 years of life, but I still feel it ripple through my box-ridden house.

The lifestyle will be very different from what I'm used to out in the sticks. I doubt I'll hear a distant rooster in the morning when I step out the door. Or the hoot of an owl or call of bats in the evening. The stars will be a little dimmer in the city as well. However, there also will be less bugs (which would be nice, though I don't mind most of them), vermin (rats and opposums are pretty much standard when you're living in the woods), and luxuries like "insulation", "double pane windows", and a marvelous invention called a "dishwasher". ;) I'm trading neighbors I don't share walls with and a yard for city life. Which is in some ways great! The weeds are already up to my waist and more inclimate weather is on it's way. The more rain, the more weeds.

Now, I won't have to worry about all that jazz. I'll come home to a warm safe little condo, that's actually been decorated beyond my usual "Salvation Army Chic" style. In some ways, it's almost intimidating! But I'm really looking forward to the biggest trade off of all -

GETTING DEEPER INTO MY ART!

Life alone has been so financially restrictive, that I've had to stop auditioning and stop working on my album. So I'm very excited to audition more and to be able to really give this dream a fighting chance to grow, rather than put it on the back burner. "It" (acting/singing/writing) has been in my blood from day one. Ignoring it only makes me feel aweful - frustrated, depressed, etc. It's that need to express to communicate (as they say in RENT) that makes artists artists.

As I spend my last week in the Lake House, I find myself more driven then ever to carry with me the life lessons I've learned:

Some Risks are WORTH taking.

Sometimes taking a risk means saying goodbye to the familiar.

If you'll regret never trying, then give it your all.

There is no "try". There is only do and do not do. (Thanks Yoda!)

Those that are best at their passion have two things in common - 1) a healthy obsession for whatever stirs their soul
2) the inability to stop following their dreams.
(Of course, I learned all THAT by following Lou Mongello's example!)

So I have a challenge for you, dear readers (ye brave, ye few). Find something this week you've been putting on the back burner - no matter how silly or small it may seem, and do SOMETHING about it - big or small. It's so easy to rationalize away the things that really make us special and unique.

What have you neglected too long?
What will you do about it?

I'll check in next week and we'll see what we all DID about our forgotten dreams and how our "something" turned out! Why? Because we contribute our best to everyone and to the world when we are true!