This is my first blog post and I see how my mind wants to dance around and throw poo-poo.
“Josh Pais, you don’t really know what a blog is, much less how to write one. Who are you to…” Blah blah blah.
When my mind starts throwing crap in the fan, I’m faced with two options.
Option One.
- Crinkle my eyebrows and delve into a juicy mind fuck. Then, I can just sit back and listen to all my mind chatter and believe every seductive, destructive word of it. Next, my body sensations will start to justify the thoughts. (Translation? I start physically feeling awful.)
- Finally, I’ll come to the inevitable conclusion that everyone comes to when they listen to their thoughts long enough: “I, in fact, do suck.”
Option Two.
- Keep creating. When I get uncomfortable, all I have to do is feel my body sensations. I don’t have to go into a mentally induced drama.
- And if I do slip into dramaville for a moment, as soon as I’m aware of it, I can stop, breathe, return to feeling the sensations in my body, be aware of my immediate environment and come back to this moment.
Right now, option two has won. I’m still writing the blog post even though my mind says I don’t know what the heck I’m doing and my body sensations feel like I’m riding Spacemountain at Disneyworld.
So, chances are, if you’re reading this post, you’re a creator. You’re probably an actor or entrepreneur. That being the case, staying present is essential for your success. Please remember, these 2 options are always available to you when your minds starts going on overdrive. And yes, I suggest Option Two.
It’s crucial for all of us to catch our minds when they start chattering about how we’re going to screw something up. This is especially true in audition situations (or selling/presentation situations for entrepreneurs).
This may seem like an odd suggestion but…
I propose that you expect your mind to come up with all kinds of crap. Expect your mind to rant about why you’re not going to get the part and how you’re going to blow the audition. Just expect it. This way if it happens you won’t be surprised.
Important note: Do not waste precious time attempting to change your thoughts. Or “think positive” or anything else that just pulls you deeper and deeper into a mind F. (That F stands for fuck – but I don’t think it’s good to have fuck written so many times in my first blog post.)
Here’s all you have to do..
As soon as you realize that the ol’ mental crapper has kicked in and is spewing caca talk, just shift your attention back into your breath, your body, and your immediate environment.
Take a look around. Notice the colors, textures, light quality. Feel your feet on the earth. Feel the air against your skin. Breathe.
That’s it. It’s that simple. Your creativity, aliveness and brilliance flourish when you’re engaged in the present moment. And it’s always your body, not your thoughts that are the pathway to the moment
So, come on…
I say from this day forth we make a vow to stop wasting our glorious lives indulging in mind generated poo poo. All we have to do is catch it the moment it starts and not dive in the pool. Just come back. After all, we have a planet to entertain and heal.
Now, look at this. I’ve officially written my first blog post. (Hooray Option 2!) If you’re still reading this, thank you. Means a lot. And actually, I’d love to hear what you think about the poo-poo mind.
Seriously LOVE THIS!!!! I cannot thank you enough, Josh, for that option of being with the energy of the moment. When I get uncomfortable, I used to fight it like mad. Now I go, OK, I’m uncomfortable. And once I admit that, I get this rush of joyous energy. It’s really astounding.
Rock on, man! Congrats on your first blog post! 🙂
Thx Laura
Yea – uncomfortable is just a series of atoms vibrating.
If you don’t fight it – it can be enlivening.
I did the Committed Impulse Thursday nite class and it was awesome! I highly recommend to all creative professionals, not just actors 🙂
So great having you there.
Thx for the recommend
This is all so true, and very well (and amusingly) put! I have felt the same way as I’ve launched myself into the blog world. Amen! Thank you for laying out the process of choosing option 2. I love this post. Congratulations! Can’t wait to take your class.
Looking forward to working with ya!
Finally. I big puffy heart this blog post. Thank you Josh. Resistance to the poo-poo is futile.
.-= Linda Eaves´s last blog ..Summertime & the Living is Random =-.
Can I quote ya…
“Resistance to the poo-poo is futile.”
or
Resistance to the poo-poo is foo -foo”.
I am trademarking the phrase..
“Resistance to the poo-poo is futile.”
🙂
.-= Linda´s last blog ..Summertime & the Living is Random =-.
I choose to join you in the land of Option 2 and to tell Option 1 to go *f* itself! I love that you are blogging, woo-hoo.
The land of Option 2 is def the place to be.
Thx for writing
Option 2, Option 2, Option2!
EEEHAAAA
🙂
I am SOOOO happy that you started this blog!
I feel so much in contact with you and Committed Impulse: you’re here, I’m there and you give me those gem reminders that I miss so much.
God, I should start visualizing myself in the October workshop – it should work, Josh, yes?
Yes! 😉
Much love
I’d love to work with ya in October.
The audition workshops gonna be awesome!
See you there. Yes, I see you there.
Yea – we’re just a mass of atoms vibrating.
May the vibrations continue…
Oh Ya … Option 2 🙂 Keep on Creating !
That’s right my brother!
i love magic***sparkle
YAY for option 2!!! I’m so happy that you are blogging now and look forward to all your pearly words of wisdom. You have gems to share so THANK YOU!!!
I hate poo poo.
.-= Grasie´s last blog ..Headbands All Around =-.
Pearls… Gems…
Thank you.
We all have brilliance we are in Option 2.
“Josh, you don’t really know what a blog is, much less how to write one. Who are you to…” Blah blah blah.
LOL…Yup, sounds familiar. I don’t know a single blogger who didn’t have the same (or similar) poo-poo running through their mind when they first started blogging.
Awesome first blog post, Josh. So thrilled to see the new blog and so excited to read more.
Much love,
Lisa
Thanks so much Lisa!
This couldn’t have come along at a better time. Thank you for sharing!
Having that reminder to expect that my mind is going to be chatty and to just breathe, see what’s in front of me and feel the sensations was exactly what I needed.
See you tonight in Ensemble!
Thx Kristi
So happy what I had to say came at the perfect time.
See you in Ensemble
hey josh,
i like what you write…
(your blog layout is very cool too!)
fun thing is, that it is easier as we always expect to get into this juicyness of now – and since i got i little taste of it…my body wants to go there, because it feels goooood…so i follow my body 🙂
looking forward to hear more from you!
all best
stephanie.
The magic is always in the body.
Thx for reading!
great first step! keep it up! you can’t do it wrong!
Thx Perri.
Good to remember
Josh,
You’ve done what I haven’t yet–Pressed the “Publish” button! I hope you’ll inspire me to do so.
DO IT!!!!!!!!!!
Dude… I needed to read that today. Thanks! I’m BACK!
You are Back!
I’m very flattered by what u said.
Thank you.
Josh, I was just thinking the same thing and it is not my first blog post. CONGRATS on doing it and exposing the mind and it’s
critic of us.
I laughed out loud and now off to get my blog post done in spite of my mind saying whatever poo poo it decides to say this time.
Much love!
.-= Hillary ´s last blog ..Hello world! =-.
I think all the poo poo chatter is just our mind’s attempt to keep us in a false state of safe.
But we must step out into the light regardless of the uncomfortable sensations.
Keep writing!
thank you, Josh…I started a new project and was getting ready to step in lots of mental poo.
It’s been one crazy obstacle after another – to the point of (almost) being comical…almost comical right up to the small fire this morning. Got that “fixed” finally this evening – only to be notified by one of my vendors that they cancelled my account…misunderstanding it turns out.
thanks again for the blog post! Amazing timing!
I was soooo ready to jump into the poo pit.
haha – the poo pit. Love it.
NO GOING IN THE POO PIT!!!
ANY BLOG THAT HAS POO-POO IN THE FIRST SENTENCE IS MY FRIEND.
I can’t promise they’ll all have poo -poo.
But, I’ll see what I can do.
I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. Like the fact that I found this post. I have been blogging for a couple of months now and I still feel like I don’t know what I am doing. Thanks for reminding me to forge ahead.
.-= Kimberly´s last blog ..Broken and Betrayed- The 5 Emotional Phases You Must Go Through to Ever Trust Again =-.
If you’ve been doing it for a few months – you def know more than me.
But yea – we all gotta forge ahead. Not forge a head. Ohhh – that was deep.
Josh….what would the world do without Josh? Thank u!
:))
Very nice – keep it coming Josh! I just used the stream of consciousness in rehearsal today. Yay! for being in the moment. And I love that you use the F(fuck) word. Keep that coming too:)
How did using Stream of C in rehearsal work for ya?
And, I will keep it coming.
thx
Yeah baby!! So excited this puppy is finally up. The world NEEDS more PAIS. Love you so much. Party at our place tonight 🙂
.-= Marie´s last blog ..The 1 Marketing Strategy Almost Everyone Overlooks =-.
Mm.hm. I like. I really like. And be-ing atoms vibrating always makes me very happy.
Congrats, Josh. It’s a really great blog. And website.
the waiting is over—the blog is here!—we’re all stoked! THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR WISDOM, JOSH!
“Its always your body, not your thoughts, that are the pathway to the moment.” Love, love, love. Congrats on your first blog post! EEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.
Thx Melanie
Josh! What an incredible sign that this was in my inbox today. I, too, am in the process of composing my first blog, and the poo poo is flying. Thank you for bringing me “back” to a moment clear of caca.
I’m hoping this blog will be goggles for you as you move thru the caca storm.
Do that Blog, girl!
Hey Josh! This came with great timing this morning!
“….every seductive, destructive word of it. Next, my body sensations will start to justify the thoughts. (Translation? I start physically feeling awful.)”
I was just in the process of sinking into this spiral of thoughts and even worse giving them credence. Then I was reminded I did have a choice! Great read – and I had a really productive day as a result. You’re the man!
That makes me very happy.
Congrats on your productive day!
Yay Josh! I’m so happy you’re blogging and that you picked Option 2. Your post reminds me of something my mom says (which she probably borrowed from somewhere else) that, “My mind is not a safe neighborhood to go to alone.” It is so true. Thank you for giving me permission not to try to change my thoughts. The reality is, when I feel my body and say “I’m back” and get present in my current environment I do immediately feel better and it doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with my thoughts. It just has to do with my body and what’s happening right now. Keep blogging…I want more!
love it Josh ! thanks allot for creating a blog to follow !!
thanks josh! this made me laugh and breathe at the same time. it’s great advice because it is both true and hilarious. keep writing!
I love this post Josh, and I couldn’t of read it at a better time. I’m back! Thank you for sharing your thoughts – you truly have helped me so much in understanding how and what it means to be preset in my acting, and in life. Thank you Josh and I can’t wait to work with you again!!
Mackenzie
PS. I loved your performance in “please give.” Great work!