Ultimately, for all the practices you put in place, for all the plans you have, for all the projects you involve yourself in and for all the support you build around yourself, this journey is yours and yours alone.
No one can talk you through the voices of doubt that keep you up at 3 in the morning. Nothing can ever protect you from having days you feel you’re not good enough. You won’t be able to avoid the sudden triggers, the emotional ambushes, the dangerous spirals, the anger, the frustration, the abject fear …
… and for me, having a healthy inner life practice is NOT about banishing or controlling those demons. They aren’t just part of being an actor, a creative or a performer. They are part of being human. For me, having a healthy inner life practice that lives and breathes is about creating a safe space to ground yourself amidst the storm and winds.
And on those days that the storms and winds get too rough, batten down the hatches. And in that space, be gentle with yourself. Allow yourself to feel the storm. Don’t hide from it. Understand it. Befriend it. Then armed with that knowledge, do what you need to do to keep yourself safe until the storm passes. Go back to your practice and do something small - even if it is to review an old monologue you’ve done a million times or polish your musical instrument.
You may not be the master of your destiny - simply because there are so many factors beyond your control. The storms and winds will continue to blow and push you about in ways that you cannot control. But you can be master of your own ship. You can make sure you stay afloat, you can keep your ship safe and have your sails be ready to catch - and MASTER - the next wind.
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My name is Eu Jin. I recently embarked on a career as a professional actor after 20 years in the corporate world. A big supporter of personal growth, I also dedicate time and energy in performing arts education, specifically in the arena of practical approaches to inner health because I believe that this lays the groundwork for a sustainable career as an artiste. If you would like to engage in a conversation about a healthy inner life practice, please leave me a message on the "Contact" page of my website and a way to contact you. Thank you very much!