Oscar Bound

Thank you, Brook Noel!

I recently stumbled onto a book by Brook Noel which I am loving! The name of the book is The Change Your Life Challenge:  Step-by-Step Solutions For Finding Balance, Creating Contentment, Getting Organized, and Building the Life You Want.  Sounds good!!

While I'm only about 70 pages in, I already feel more in charge of my life. As I'm gearing up to take on more film & writing projects AND homeschool my kids this year, I really needed to find a system that works for me. I've always been fairly organized, but weak in certain areas...processing/organizing paper, managing "clutter dump" areas within the house and keeping track of all the information, appts, and schedules around here. Some days I feel like I'm managing General Motors...and we all know how they're doing :(

Anyway, I thought I would take a minute to share the best tip I've found so far. Ms. Noel recommends using something called a CAN--short for Catch-All Notebook.  Basically it's just a small notebook (I find 5x7 works well) that you can carry with you and record information, ideas, to do lists or goals.  So, what's the big deal? Well, for starters, it's SIMPLE.  I've tried using Daytimers, Palm Pilots, binder systems, folder systems...but none have been as effective for me as this little notebook. I don't have to figure out how to use it. I don't have to worry about charging it or losing data. I don't have to cart around a bulky/bulging binder. Ok, that's nice, but still, so what?? Many people have used notebooks--there's nothing revolutionary about that. True. However, what makes this approach unique stems from her insistence that I keep it near me 24/7. As the author states, "it's like having a "spare brain". 

She goes on to explain that "in a study done to identify common practices of high-functioning individuals, keeping a notebook handy at all times to record passing thoughts, tasks, ideas and notes was an almost universal trait of the studied individuals, including Albert Einstein and Michaelangelo."

The research summarized three beneficial findings of this practice:

1. By keeping the notebook handy 24/7, it becomes a reliable location for confidently storing "mind matter."  by transferring thoughts, tasks, ideas and notes from mind to paper, the mind is free to focus on the task at hand.
2. The act of writing something down makes it more concrete and, statistically increases the odds of remembering and accomplishing the written task.
3. By having all information accessible (within arm's reach), indivduals are better able to maximize unexpected free time slots (even five to ten minutes).

The real gift for me in using this approach has been peace of mind...it feels so great to know that I'm not forgetting anything...especially ideas. Being an idea person, I sometimes have as many as 30 new ideas a day--many of which come into my mind...and then go right back out unless I write them down.
And, it's been a great little tool for managing my to do lists...putting work and personal lists together for the first time (I used to keep them separate and it just wasn't working)...now I just pick the top three priorities (either work or personal) for each day and list them in my CAN...so far I've been easily able to complete them and typically do more!

I realize that everyone has to do what works for them, but since this is ACTUALLY working for me, I thought I'd share it. And wait til I tell you about her next great tip:  UGLY DAYS :)

Delving into the past--as in Past Life Regression :)

Ok...so in order to move towards my goal of winning that Oscar, it came to me during a short meditation that I need to clear out anything that might be holding me back in my pursuit. I've had a vague feeling that I needed to let go of something, but couldn't figure out what it might be. So, I set it aside and just carried on with life. Wouldn't you know, as soon as I did so, I kept hearing references to past lives and past life regression...on TV, the radio, at the bookstore, with friends...it's been all around me. After about the sixth instance in the last three days, something clicked and I decided to see if my friend Karen, who is a fabulous hypnotherapist, had time to do a regression session with me. Well, today was the day!

Now before I go any further, and at the risk of losing the few readers I do have,  I should be up front and say that I am no stranger to the concept of past lives and have been a believer for a long time. I've even attended a couple of group hypnosis workshops in NYC with the master of past life regression, Dr. Brian Weiss, and had some very interesting experiences. After doing the hypnosis process, his first suggestion is that you look down at your feet (in your mind, not literally)  and see what shoes you are wearing, as this is a good indicator of who/where you might be.

The first time I did so, I was wearing knee high suede boots and was outdoors at some sort of an art fair...I was a young male painter during what felt like the Italian Renaissance era, and had my dog with me (who I was thrilled to discover was my beloved dog, Bailey, from this lifetime). I was very happy and content. I was never famous, but felt good about what I did and was respected in my local circles. Dr. Weiss always then asks you to flash forward to the end of that lifetime, and in this case I died of old age at home, surrounded by loved ones. Not bad :) 

In the second experience I had at one of his workshops, I had a sense of what was probably my most recent past life.  I was a woman in her late 30's/early 40's (sometime in the 1940's and it felt like it was in the U.S.), who was confined to bed because of a serious heart problem...I was weak and frail (and died of this in my 40's), but was comfortable and, again, surrounded by a loving family, who it seemed were somewhat well-off based on the size/decor of the bedroom I was in.  The main feeling I took from this experience was the sense that I was very at peace with myself and quite comfortable being on my own for long stretches of time since I was confined to my room. (I still have this trait...and in fact, relish time on my own...even for several days.) I believe I wrote journals during this time and was a a voracious reader and who loved to discuss ideas (also still true). 

Anyway, cut to today:  Karen went through the process of putting me into a hypnotic trance....which for those of you who have never experienced hypnosis, is really just a state of extreme relaxation. You are completely awake and aware of your surroundings, but SO relaxed that you can't open your eyes...even if you try.  I had told Karen that I was trying to look for information about any potential blocks I might have to major success...explaining that I had a nagging feeling that something was holding me back from the "grand and glorious" life I am aiming for.  Now, I have NEVER uttered the phrase "grand and glorious" in my life and she picked up on that, asking me why I chose those words. I said I didn't know and she said it probably had something to do with the life we needed to visit.

As she was saying this, I had a strong impression that I had been living at some sort of royal palace...I wasn't one of the royal family, but felt as if I was someone they respected and honored with living there and was either working on a project for them or they were funding my work in some way. Anyway, I was indeed living a very "grand and glorious" existence! However, I then immediately had a vision that I had been poisoned by someone who was jealous of my position.  So, basically, I was murdered for living the life of my dreams!!

I then flashed to the life I mentioned earlier, as the Italian painter...where I still did what I loved, but was never hugely successful...just had a local following and a comfortable existence. This life felt like it came after the life in which I was murdered. As I was describing all of this to Karen, she pointed out that I probably have a push/pull situation going on within me in this life....go for the Gold (the Oscar) and feel a risk of being "murdered"  or play it safe and continue with a smaller, more comfortable life such as the one I already have. Now, I don't want FAME per se....but I do want to achieve the highest level of success within my field...mostly so that I can attain credibility, respect and find that doors are wide open for me to bring all of my ideas to life...whether via film or books or some other venue. 

So...how do I use the knowledge gleaned from the past life regression to clear any subconscious block re the (irrational) fear of death I may be clinging to around achieving major success?? Obviously, it needs to be cleared or I'm going to end up sabotaging myself in some way :) Well, it turns out Karen had a great technique for helping me to do this...it's called EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), and it's an amazingly simple, yet powerful therapy. We worked on this specific scenario for awhile and I have to admit I really DID feel a shift happen...I feel lighter, more relaxed and very enthusiastic about pursuing my goals. Most importantly, that nagging sensation that made me feel something was holding me back has eased and I just feel very calm, yet motivated at the same time. Awesome!

Now I'm not saying past life regression is for everyone...but it was an interesting little adventure and seemed to provide some of the insight I was looking for, so for me, it was worthwhile! If you're interested in learning more, a great book to read is Many Lives, Many Masters.

Re-Inspired!

Saw the new film Julie & Julia last week and it definitely got me motivated to get back to blogging. Not that I'm expecting a book deal out of it...but hey, if it happens, I wouldn't turn my nose up at it:)

Anyway, it got me thinking that I've been pretty slack in my blogging efforts and have neglected my original purpose of documenting my journey towards the goal of being nominated for (ok...winning) an Oscar one day. Originally, I was thinking this might come from my documentary work, but more and more I'm actually thinking I may have a better shot in the screenplay category. Why? Because I've had a couple of incredible opportunities come my way in the last several months that both revolve around screenplays I co-wrote...it actually looks like they are both going to be made into feature films at some point in the next two years.  This alone is pretty amazing to me and I'm still pinching myself.

Anyway, stay tuned, cuz I'm going to be more diligent about focusing on this journey. OSCAR, here I come!