Family Heirlooms
Family heirlooms are just a smaller version of The Louvre, The Smithsonian, The MOMA. A touchstone of human experience expressed through your family’s branch on the tree of life.
From “You Can’t Pop So Stop” to Teaching Dance Classes 2 Years Later
In 1980, from the rolled-down window of a yellow school bus in Long Beach, CA, a voice yelled, “You can’t pop so stop!” They were right, my dance skills sucked. They were wrong, I wasn’t going to stop. Two years later I was teaching popping at The Broadway Academy of Performing Arts in Carmichael, CA….
Get Rejected More Often
Ask that person out Apply for that job Ask for a raise Request a discount Start a business Apply for that college Submit that manuscript Enter that contest Submit that artwork To make progress you gotta get more rejections.
3 Ingredients for Success
Natural ability Interest Practice Over the years ballet dancers noticed that I have perfect turnout. I even tried ballet for 3 months and the ballet teacher also said I have perfect turnout. “I would kill to have your turnout,” I heard over and over. But the 3 months of ballet class proved to me that…
The Beginning Is Gonna Be Tough, But…
Getting better at a skill means being bad at it. A lot. The beginning is gonna fucking suck. You’re gonna want to give up. You might get depressed. You might throw a fit. You might curse and shake your fists. Getting better at a skill means being bad at it. At first. Keep moving forward….
Be Not Deterred
Don’t let anybody’s dismissive language or put-downs deter you from seeking knowledge. Seek!
Happiness As A Goal
Happiness as a goal gotta include happiness as a path
People Will Judge You
People will judge you. That’s their job. Your job is to keep moving forward.
Teach your children it’s okay to be stupid
Every adult is stupid in some subject. And every grown child wishes an adult told them it’s okay, instead of growing up being scared and ashamed and embarrassed.
Frustration As A Tool
Frustration is a compass that’s sewn into your heart. And it blasts a siren every time your life gets off course. Like, “Shit, you’re veering off course. Get the hell back on track!” That’s the power of frustration when it’s used as a tool.