Testing The Waters

I'm always taken aback by people's fascination with famous actors, you know, with celebrities.  To the outside world "Hollywood" looks so glamorous. It amazes me how some people simplify this business.  Some think its like winning a Lottery Ticket, an idea I believe originated by the early Hollywood Publicity Machine , a machine that filled magazines with stories of Actors and Actresses who were "over night sensations" by being "discovered" sipping a soda at Schwab's Drug Store.  This is just not the case. Anyone can walk into a store and buy a lottery ticket - just last month the Lottery Jackpot was at an all time high and every American was running to their local store to purchase a ticket and everyone had a chance to win (I bought a couple myself) but an Acting Career doesn't happen this way...  I'm an actress, writer, producer I should know. Having a career takes determination, tenacity, courage and talent.  Recently, my be...

A little over two years ago I experienced what is described as a "Kundalini Awakening" and from that point on I have fully embraced and surrendered to my own personal spiritual journey. Doing so means I've made a commitment to my soul - a relationship that needs to be cultivated and cared for daily. One thing I've found is that I must meditate daily, its as necessary as breathing and eating. I meditate twice daily - at least 30 minutes at a time (am/pm). What I experience in my meditations differs from day to day but I begin my practice the same way every day: by first tuning into my own breath and becoming still. Once in a while a busy day may come at me and I just can't fit in a half an hour but I find that I can always take a couple moments and become quiet -- even if it's just as I put the keys into the ignition or as I lay my head on the pillow at night. Daily Meditation has opened me up in many ways, it is a daily visit with my soul.  The more...

Your life is communicating with you every second of everyday. It expresses itself to you through your emotions and the situations you find yourself in. Becoming still and paying attention to these are the key to understanding yourself. Scan your life paying attention to your accomplishments and successes and then write these down on a piece of paper.  Don't limit this list to those things where you received a certificate or a trophy, also list those instances where you got a sense of personal satisfaction as well. When you're done writing your list look at each item and take note of any commonality they share. Pay close attention to those things that come easily to you where you exert little or no effort. Are you more successful at your job than you are in your personal life, do you find it easy to make friends, or maybe you're an amazing cook? This is only the beginning - we are scratching the surface of a theory I have - mind you it is only a theory - if it rings tr...

I am a huge fan of the real-life, Crime/Cop shows (basically everything on A&E) 48 hours, Cold Case Files, DEA, Forensic Files... and also this new show on OWN called "Disappeared".  It wasn't until recently that a haunting thought came over me, as I watched the crimes on these shows it was like de ja vu, I realized that in my life I've had similar experiences. Seriously, it rocked me to my core how similar. I also realized that BUT FOR what my brother taught me I wouldn't alive today. This is me and my bro - after training one day My brother has been a Martial Artist ever since he could walk and swing Nunchaku. We grew up in the projects on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and because we lived in a tough neighborhood my brother taught me self defense and I am here today because he cared enough and had the patience to teach me some skills that saved my life.   AWARENESS OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS I was in High School and was 15 years old. It was after ...

 2010 was a weird year for my husband and I - relationships in all areas of our lives were tested (Personal Friendships to Business relationships) - it was a painful experience but all the profoundly, life changing experiences always are... So Last New Years Eve me and my hubby chose to take this experience and use it to spot light all the areas in our lives. Our lives are constantly talking to us - telling us what is working  and what doesn't work for us - its up to us (each individual) to listen to our lives and do something about it. We did - we listened  and you know what??? 2011 was one of the MOST fulfilling years for the both of us - Spiritually and Professionally - we created an amazing year for ourselves.  If you're ready to do something about your life here's my suggestion - instead of making a lengthy list of resolutions this year why not try doing what me and my husband did last year - its simple and it was a powerful experience that created amazi...

With 2012 fast approaching I find myself looking back on 2011. What an incredible year.  I closed it by booking my first Network Gig.  Its a really fun role on "SOUTHLAND" (The episode is called "Identity' and it airs Feb. 7, 2012 on TNT) You really know you've made it when you have your own trailer with your name on the door (Yes, it was written on masking tape and I gotta say... I was so excited to see it) Okay... so I was a bit scared of my wardrobe (yikes - it was 40 degrees outside people) but having my own personal space did help assuage my fear of the cold... I booked and shot "LYLA WOLF: Infractus"   Its an Action/Adventure/Sci Fi short - in it I play Mariela, a woman who was raped and has a split from reality. Working with everyone on this production was incredibly inspiring. I went to a screening  and The final film looks amazing - it will be hitting the festival circuit soon... I booked my first musical - YES...

When you have been victimized as a child it takes a tremendous amount of courage to speak out and talk about the abuse.  In the last month the reports of Sexual Child Abuse have dominated the news, victims are coming forward and speaking out in record numbers. Their courage is creating a healthy, open environment and it is allowing others to gain the courage to do the same. As a victim of abuse myself I personally know I've kept silent about the abuse as a way to deal with it. I felt that if I didn't say anything it was like the abuse didn't happen, my silence was a form of denial.  I know now that this "Conspiracy of Silence" creates more harm because it lays the blame on the victim. Talking about the abuse is the first step towards healing. Breaking your silence will lay the blame back where it belongs - on the Perpetrator. I've begun my healing process by pouring my personal experience into a script. The title of the script is "A Life, Taken, its a...