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Most actors I know who pay attention to award season find it to be a time of great inspiration and deep reflection about their own careers. This one was no different for me. And without opining too much on who won, who didn't win, and who should have received a much deserved nomination, I must say I was moved to happy tears alongside my community of Asian friends and actors as history was made! Here though, I'd simply like to share more on what I believe it takes to keep an elusive dream alive: Courage & Longevity.
C O U R A G E
I've been thinking a lot about how to transform my ability to see hypothetical outcomes in the negative far more clearly than being able to see them as successes. Maybe it's a defense mechanism to guard against heartbreak and disappointment. Some might even call it being a realist. But if it can all fail (your greatest dream, your highest goal, your most desired outcome) shouldn't the possibility exist that it can all come to fruition and be exactly as you desire it to be, if not better? I'm working on answering YES to this question more and more. But it takes courage, something I've had to redefine recently.
Beyond faithless optimism, to me courage is:
L O N G E V I T Y
This job ain't for the weak! It's also not for those who are seeking nano speed success. I firmly believe our greatest success isn't even sustainable if we haven't had the time to build a sturdy foundation and develop some character along the way. Michelle Yeoh said in her speech "Don't let anyone say you're past your prime". I literally crossed my legs--all sassy like--and proclaimed to the group of friends who'd gathered to watch the Oscars last Sunday, "Exactly, 'cause I need time."
It's been said many times over: This is long ball. A marathon. A process. I will never forget something Glynn Turman said at a panel years ago. I am paraphrasing here, but it was something to the effect of "Keep honing your craft, and eventually your talent will make a way for you." I believe this with my whole life. In fact, the proof of my absolute trust in this truth is that I am still here!
C O U R A G E
I've been thinking a lot about how to transform my ability to see hypothetical outcomes in the negative far more clearly than being able to see them as successes. Maybe it's a defense mechanism to guard against heartbreak and disappointment. Some might even call it being a realist. But if it can all fail (your greatest dream, your highest goal, your most desired outcome) shouldn't the possibility exist that it can all come to fruition and be exactly as you desire it to be, if not better? I'm working on answering YES to this question more and more. But it takes courage, something I've had to redefine recently.
Beyond faithless optimism, to me courage is:
- Believing that the universe is limitless - putting limits on what is possible and what I am capable of is at best counter productive, and at worst self-sabotaging.
- The ability to be discerning - knowing that I have refined wisdom and will be able to identify the right steps to take in any given situation.
- Being confident that I can overcome any obstacle - disappointment, fear, failure, heartbreak are all part of the journey. I am capable of withstanding any setback and strong enough to bounce back better and wiser for it.
- Following my soul's calling - regardless of recognition, reward, or even acknowledgement, I must know from the depths of my own being that I am fulfilling the mission only I can fulfill.
L O N G E V I T Y
This job ain't for the weak! It's also not for those who are seeking nano speed success. I firmly believe our greatest success isn't even sustainable if we haven't had the time to build a sturdy foundation and develop some character along the way. Michelle Yeoh said in her speech "Don't let anyone say you're past your prime". I literally crossed my legs--all sassy like--and proclaimed to the group of friends who'd gathered to watch the Oscars last Sunday, "Exactly, 'cause I need time."
It's been said many times over: This is long ball. A marathon. A process. I will never forget something Glynn Turman said at a panel years ago. I am paraphrasing here, but it was something to the effect of "Keep honing your craft, and eventually your talent will make a way for you." I believe this with my whole life. In fact, the proof of my absolute trust in this truth is that I am still here!
"Don't let anyone say you're past your prime."
-Michelle Yeoh
enisha b jane
In my own words.
E as in Elephant
P.S. And now for the opining: ANGELA BASSET DESERVES HER FLOWERS TOO!
Below are the thoughts I shared last month on IG after the nominations were announced for Best Actress and Best Director:
Below are the thoughts I shared last month on IG after the nominations were announced for Best Actress and Best Director:
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I had a terrible idea for a children's book a few years ago. It was about a little girl who didn't believe she had any favorites. No favorite color, no favorite cartoon character or teacher, no favorite anything. In an attempt to convince her otherwise her mother takes her to an ice cream shoppe and she is reminded that she is actually not a pitiful little human child who can't make up her mind. She remembers that she loves strawberry ice cream. It's her favorite.
I know, horrible. Anyway. It was loosely based on a phase I was going through where I couldn't confidently identify anything I liked enough to call it my favorite... of any category. I am a Libra and ALL THE THINGS make sense to me. I can rationalize or find the good, bad, or ugly of anything. (And you thought it was indecisiveness, didn't you?)
So I decided to remedy this phase and write all of my favorites out. And I'm sharing them here. And I'm sticking to them!
Wait... Maybe Top 5 is better!
Top 5 Favorite Ice Cream Flavors
Strawberry
Coffee
Pralines and Cream
Pistachio
Hazelnut
Top 5 Movies
Chocolat
The Talented Mr. Ripley
Boyz n the Hood
Love Jones
All About Eve
Top 5 TV Shows
Game of Thrones
Insecure
Scandal
Silicon Valley
How to Get Away with Murder
Top 5 Actresses
Viola Davis
Meryl Streep
Cate Blanchett
Emma Stone
Thandie Newton
Top 5 Actors
Jeffrey Wright
Denzel Washington
Leonardo DiCaprio
Michael B. Jordan
Eddie Redmayne
And there you have it.
I know, horrible. Anyway. It was loosely based on a phase I was going through where I couldn't confidently identify anything I liked enough to call it my favorite... of any category. I am a Libra and ALL THE THINGS make sense to me. I can rationalize or find the good, bad, or ugly of anything. (And you thought it was indecisiveness, didn't you?)
So I decided to remedy this phase and write all of my favorites out. And I'm sharing them here. And I'm sticking to them!
Wait... Maybe Top 5 is better!
Top 5 Favorite Ice Cream Flavors
Strawberry
Coffee
Pralines and Cream
Pistachio
Hazelnut
Top 5 Movies
Chocolat
The Talented Mr. Ripley
Boyz n the Hood
Love Jones
All About Eve
Top 5 TV Shows
Game of Thrones
Insecure
Scandal
Silicon Valley
How to Get Away with Murder
Top 5 Actresses
Viola Davis
Meryl Streep
Cate Blanchett
Emma Stone
Thandie Newton
Top 5 Actors
Jeffrey Wright
Denzel Washington
Leonardo DiCaprio
Michael B. Jordan
Eddie Redmayne
And there you have it.