There is an amazing serendipity to reading this book at this time. I can relate this to a very personal situation. I am an actor and artist. I had been caring for my mother for years and the caretaking became acute at the death of my father and brother. Since both parents are deaf – I was their “voice in the world.” My “valley” – the time and effort to care for her – was transformed by help of my mentor and acting coach into an unbelievable “peak” when I engaged in, completed and performed my own one woman show about what it was like growing up with deaf parents.
Now – she has passed away and while I miss her – I am free of a lifelong burden.
And the economy went south and I find myself in early retirement and very frightened. My sign posts are gone – a mother that I cared for – a job I really hated. So now what? She is gone and now I am free but with no income? How to see this? As total fright? Anger? Now, I’m free but with no money?
But that is not the truth of the situation. The first “rope” I threw out was to get early social security. And the truth is – I have savings to carry me through.
And now I have something more important than a job I hate. I have a wondrous and “sensible” vision! I am free to pursue my acting career – and what I learned from this book was to feel joy in doing the things I thought I hated – like follow up letters and all the detritus of the “Business side” of acting. I am happy to do it and follow my vision.
And I have the time to spend in my art studio and to create pieces that will sell and support my vision of being self supportive through my artistic life. “Enjoy what it takes to get there” – Yes, this is very important. Love! Trust! There is so much good in this “bad” time. I’m going to make it work.