At least this is what I believe. Being a former member of ACTRA Ottawa (Acting for film and TV) taught me a great deal about life in general. In a nutshell, accomplished actors teach you how to act believably on camera for the viewing audience. They teach you how to internalize your lines and how to use the right intonation and body language to deliver your message. Important things such as how to listen, pause and reflect before responding. You also need to learn how to stay in character while you are not speaking because actors quite often play roles that are far-removed from their true personalities. Learning to be present and in the now is a must.

Being in the now is even more important for “live theatre” because you don’t get a chance to do a re-take.

In everyday life we don’t have the opportunity for rehearsals and coaching to get it right before people take it seriously. In real life it’s called “first impressions”, and for many of us they can be awkward and cause us to paint a less than desirable picture of ourselves. For people with low self-esteem and low self-confidence this can be practically paralyzing, in they seldom push themselves to get outside of their comfort zones and experience all this life has to offer.

If you are one of those people who sit on the sidelines and wish your life away in quiet desperation, I challenge you to try something new, with the intention that you are only doing it for the experience rather for a lifestyle change. Don’t just be an observer of life, get involved and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Did you know that there is no such thing as a stupid question? You might even amaze yourself with the people you meet and the new friends you make. Think about it, your current best friend was once a complete stranger.

Your life only gets better one decision at a time. Think of a stamp collection; it only takes one stamp to get started. Although it might not be very impressive in the beginning, over time it can grow to become something rather interesting if you stick with it (no pun intended). The title you give your collection becomes the purpose for creating it, and your reason for adding to the collection is to fulfill the purpose. But rather than starting a stamp collection, why not start a collection of decisions. Making decisions that are truly from your heart, with no hidden agenda, and in the best interest of all involved is the quickest way to see and feel your life change. Nothing will build your confidence and grow your self-esteem like being of service to others while following your life’s purpose.

I welcome your comments and feedback.