I’m participating in a couple of different
meditation challenges right now and one of them is based on Gratitude. This morning’s meditation focused on
Mentors. As I meditated I found the
people who I consider mentors floating through my mind but also the people who
inspire me. The difference, for me,
between mentors and people who inspire is mentors are almost like
teachers. They are the ones that have
taught you certain things, certain aspects of life etc. People who inspire are just that – I look at their
lives and they are an inspiration. I
wanted to touch on those who have touched my life in those two ways in this
blog.
It seems obvious to say my parents are mentors but
it’s true. My mom has mostly taught me
about compassion and imagination. One of
my favorite memories was she would have us lay down outside on the grass and
look at the clouds and tell her what shapes we saw. The clouds would come alive as animals,
people, shapes and stories. Shane and I
would create stories together as the clouds shifted into different things. She also always encouraged us to see the
beauty in nature. “Look how beautiful
the trees are!” she’d yell excitedly as we drove through the Redwoods one
time. She’s always been so patient and
kind to others and I feel it’s finally rubbed off on me after all these
years. People would say she could walk
into a chaotic crowded subway and everyone would suddenly feel calm. I have noticed people lately have wanted me
around because I calm them, or keep situations light, or make them laugh. I attribute this right back to my mother.
My dad on the other hand has taught me how to be
strong. Ambitious. Assertive.
I remember when I played softball, after practice for 2 hours he would
pick me up and take me to the batting cages for another hour or so, or hit me
balls. When I played tennis I had my practice
and afterwards practice with him. He
often assisted coaching a lot of my sports.
The other teammates would groan when dad would show up because he would
kick our ass. Weakness was not
accepted. I had a problem with this for
years and thought it had hardened me. I
never felt like I was good enough. It
took me growing up into the person I am now to realize he was teaching me how
to live. I attack life with gusto and strength. It takes a lot to bring me down. I’m strong and I’m proud of it. I’m a survivor and I’m proud of it. I’ve turned my life around from partying,
drinking, smoking, lack of sleep, eating like shit, not caring about myself to
who I am today. A healthy woman who
prides herself on wellness. I have a
steady job. I keep my passions a part of
my life and don’t let anything get in my way.
I know this is because of how my dad raised me.
My friend Mic Nottingham is another person I like
to refer to as a mentor. He saw
something in me that no one else saw when I was new to the stage. I had dabbled a bit in high school but when I
came to college I was clueless. No one
would cast me or give me a second glance.
But he did. He took many chances
on me and helped me get over my self-consciousness. He taught me how to be a better actor. To let myself go. To allow myself to become
the character I was portraying. His enthusiasm
in me spread to others and more people started to have faith in me. We always stayed good friends. He now lives up north and I miss him
tremendously but I know we’ll see each other again. He paid me one of the sweetest compliments I
ever received. “You give me hope in
humanity.” He told me once as we sat at the beach having one of our deep
discussions we used to get into. He was
on a tangent and was saying he refuses to be friends with anyone who isn’t intelligent
or political. I laughed and asked why he
was friends with me and that was his response.
He has always loved my heart and he sees it in my mom as well. This means more to me now in my life than
ever.
I’m finding I also look to my current boss Carol
as a mentor. She is one of the most
intelligent passionate people I have met.
She’s very political, very opinionated and loves animals more than
people. I took this job 3 years ago and
she has taught me so much already. If I
have a weakness (grammar mainly) she helps me.
Sends me to seminars. Encourages
me when I’m down and rewards me when I do well.
I would trust her with anything.
I watch how she deals with others around her and she has earned herself
such a level of respect around here it’s amazing. She knows her shit and she’s proud of her
staff. She should be, she brings the
best out of all of us I believe. When
the time comes when we may not work side by side anymore I know we will stay in
touch. I have grown so fond of her and
learned so much.
Now let’s move into those who have inspired
me. Let’s start with Mel. I met Mel way back in the 1st days
of The Hunger Artists. She is a
ridiculously talented artist and pulls no punches. She knows what she wants and she does
it. The woman is the type of person that
doesn’t just repaint her kitchen, she would remodel it. Herself.
I jokingly refer to her as the female Bob Villa. There were times when we were running HA
together that she would say – let’s build an apartment complex onstage! I’m standing there in our teeny tiny theater
space shaking my head saying “There’s no way”.
But she’s running around like a spider monkey describing her idea. She did it.
I couldn’t believe it. Even the
reviewers who came to the show raved about the amazing set. A few shows down the line she was telling me
an idea about a giant 10 foot Godzilla foot that will come down and smash an
actor. Again, I’m shaking my head. A few weeks later I’m standing on a ladder
painting the damn thing she created with chicken wire and paper Mache. She sold her Harley (Yes she had one) and put
a down payment on a house. A big
house! In Costa Mesa! She bought it back with the market was good and
knows just how to manage her finances.
She’s an incredible nurse at Hoag (Yes a nurse!). She is now married with a darling young boy I’m
fascinated by watching how she raises him.
Meeting her you might be taken aback by her tactless sharp way about her
but she has a heart of gold. She loves
the environment, animals, people, her friends and family so much. She’s always been an inspiration.
I’ve also been inspired by another friend of mine
by the name of Rose. When we were closer
and spent more time together I would listen in awe as she would ramble off
these crazy ideas she had – then do them! She told me stories of when she went sky
diving! Rock Climbing! She was an incredible cook and I loved when
she would call me up and have me come over and she would make us dinner and we’d
drink and chat the night away. Always
the best meals I ever had. She was so
active and threw her entire being into everything she did. She was crafty and gorgeous and athletic and multi-talented. She inspired me to be more active. To get up in the mornings (when I was living
in Costa Mesa) before work and walk the beautiful back bay and watch the
sunrise. Whenever I would mention
thinking about doing something – anything – she’d say go for it! We drifted apart for a few years but have
reconnected and now she owns her own food business that she opened with her
husband. I followed her blogs and
stories and watched as she dove headfirst in to Triathlons, then upped and now
she’s a friggin Ironman! She’s also
planning some crazy 50 mile summit run thing.
I’m blown away by each task she takes on. She eventually made the scary move of
quitting her full time well-paying job to focus solely on Bite Me Kitchen. And now her and her hubs seem happier than
ever. She, just like Mel, is so multi-talented! She’s always encouraging still when I’m
thinking of trying something new. Truly and
inspiration.
My friend Rebecca is also an inspiration to
me. This girl used to work with me at
the very colorful Opera Pacific back in the day. I immediately adored her positive uplifting
spirit. She is much younger than me but
I always teased her that she had an old soul. She was
super artistic and funky and immensely talented in the design world. She is also a devout Christian. Although I don’t fall into any religion
myself I always admired her dedication.
She isn’t one of those scary crazy Christians, she was normal! She is very liberal, supports gay rights,
super compassionate. She up and moved
out to Denver Colorado and has made an incredible life for herself out
there. She just bought a condo and she’s
so very happy. We talked a lot about
spirituality and life especially last year after everything I went through and
she helped me to come to the path that I have chosen in life spiritually. When I saw her when she was in town it was
perfection. As if she never left. We are miles apart yes, but our friendship
means so much. She has always been an
inspiration.
I’m so very lucky to have the quality of friends and
family I have in my life. I have a
cousin up in Oregon I love so very much.
My grandparents mean the world to me.
A brother who takes care of me and helps me out with things only a man
can do. (He’s taking my truck into the
shop tomorrow!). My world is full of
amazing friends, especially women! I am
surrounded by such a strong group of women it’s incredible. I could touch on each and every one of them
but this blog would go on for days. In
fact…I think I see a “Why I love my women friends” blog coming soon after this….
Mentors are important in our life I believe to help
us on our path. People who inspire us
guide us in the direction our hearts want us to take. Having the support of those who love you and
will be there for you and bring you peanut butter crackers when you are hungry,
and send you a loving text when they know you are down, and bring you lunches
when you are recovering, and scold you like a mom because they care, and pay
for things when they know you can’t afford them, and post something silly or
cute just because they know you like it, who hug you when you need it, who kick your ass to work out when you don't want to, and are just there. There in your life. You can count on them. It’s an amazing feeling knowing you are
surrounded by such great people and I am so very lucky that I have so many.
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