Week 8 is about rediscovering a sense of strength, and the very first “task” at the end of the chapter is related to goal-setting. You truly have the power to control your life. The most important thing you can do right now is act. I will be graduating from school in 2 days (gasp), and not one to rest on my laurels I have been busy acting (both on stage and off) all week. I actually think that cleaning up my desk area has done something to me. Getting rid of all the posters of plays that I’ve been in have helped me to look forward instead of backwards. Except for one, I did not have large roles in any of the productions whose posters hung on my wall. The one poster where I was a lead… I hang on that role far too closely. By taking down those posters I was acknowledging to myself that these roles don’t define me, and that I’m ready to let go of the person I was (and both my past accomplishments and failures) in favor of the person I am right now. On that note…

I am absolutely IN LOVE with “The Power of Now” right now. There was a short period in the not so distant past where I found myself very preoccupied with issues of identity. I just couldn’t wrap my head around this question of “who am I?” Then yesterday, I read this quote from Tolle’s book:

“Usually the future is a replica of the past. Superficial changes are possible, but real transformation is rare and depends upon whether you can become present enough to dissolve the past by accessing the power of the Now. What you perceive as future is an intrinsic part of your state of consciousness now. If your mind carries a heavy burden of past, you will experience more of the same. The past perpetuaties itself through lack of presence. The quality of your consciousness at this moment is what shapes the future – which, of course, can only be experienced as the Now.“

It made me realize that I don’t need to worry about that question. That all I need to do is focus on being present and authentically receiving my surroundings in the now. My present experience does not have to be a specific way because that’s how it was in the past. If you are unhappy with your current situation, the only way to grow is to let go of the past in order to attract a better future. The only way to do that is in the present moment. I don’t need to worry about “creating” an identity of sorts for myself. I just need to be present. It’s so simple.

With all this in mind. Fill in the blanks on the following question:

In a perfect world, I would secretly love to be a(n) ______________.

The way this question was worded (this is from the Artist’s way by the way) really helped me to free me up. Words like “perfect” and “secretly” helped to settle the fear that held me back from writing what I really wanted.

What do I really want? Well… In a perfect world, I would secretly love to be an oscar-winning actress and New York Times best selling Fiction author.

How would you answer that question?

With your answer in mind, what action can you take

• this year
• this month
• this week
• today
• right now

to get you closer to where you want to be?

Here’s something that I recommend. Do something (whether it’s burning your journals or redecorating your desk) which helps you to let go of your past, because guess what? You don’t need to hold on to it.

Speaking of burning journals, I came across this blog post by a woman who burned all of her journals in an effort to stay more present. Check it out: “Burning My Journals” – by Jubliant Mango.

________________

Here’s what I know for sure. I cleaned my desk last week, and since doing that I have discovered a freedom and lightness in myself that wasn’t there before. Want further proof of the effectiveness of this exercise? Next week I have

1. 3 auditions (2 for theatre and one for film)
2. an interview with a possible agent
3. two job interviews

I am transforming my life, and I’m allowing for the possibility that it doesn’t have to take a lot of time.

What did you do today to bring yourself closer to your dreams?