For decades, we artists have been practicing the art of standing bravely. Standing with an open heart and body as we walk into the unknown.
Now, in these uncertain times, part of our job is to share what we’ve been practicing with those newer to partying with the unknown.
I don’t want to say that living through a global pandemic is similar to the everyday life of an actor, but… I’m back.
Now, please enjoy, and share this week’s video:
Embracing Uncertainty With An Open Heart
Matthew Del Negro, a wonderful actor, interviewed me about embracing uncertainty. We thought this topic would be a gift to friends and family, near and far, who are struggling with fear and anxiety.
Now, it’s your turn.
What are your thoughts and questions about dealing with uncertainty?
x Josh
This is so like writing for me, too — I write to surprise myself, to say the thing I didn’t know I was going to say, and to do it lyrically, with the utmost truth — to go as deep as possible, while still not sure what I’m going to write until it comes out.
It’s why I avoid outlines — to know exactly what I’m ‘supposed’ to write deadens it for me. I feel like both the puppet and the puppeteer when I do that. Instead, I try to keep a very loose idea of ‘this should happen’ or ‘this should be disclosed’ but that’s it. And I only decide the above at the last minute. It makes for a difficult chronology, but who cares when you’re playing? Because isn’t that the point?
LOVE THIS, KRISTIN.
Creativity doesn’t always come from the logical sides of us. We need the logic, but leading with it doesn’t produce spontaneity, truth and something worth engaging with. This is why you’re such a great writer.
Keep on keeping on
Josh
Thank you both for taking the time to share your thoughts and experience. Your approach here reminds me of meditation — trying to squash the squirrel mind rather than simply “be”.
Also, changing the labels for feelings as being neither good or bad. They just are. THAT shift of perspective has been extremely empowering not just in my acting but in all my endeavors.
Sallie – I’ve experienced how shifting out of the good/bad dichotomy frees me in my work and my life. It is, as you say, empowering!
In my work, I speak about this as “embracing not knowing” as a place of discovery and exploration. I know that this state is often experienced as a frightening place to be living by people who aren’t performers. I learned the beautiful aliveness as Matthew Del Negro described it when doing improv performances – being present and being open to discovering what comes next in the moment.
There is a way that technique and logic can provide a foundation or vocabulary that we can draw from in the creative moment. But like Kristin McCloy commented on the blog, if we try to create from that place of technique and vocabulary the result is missing the aliveness that I think is essential in life and art.
(super fun coincidence – I was scanning old emails in my in box and found one from Marie from 2017 when I first enrolled in B-School. She referenced your site in the email and then I found this interview. So perfect. I’ve been offering tips for calming the nervous system daily on my FB Page.)
I teach people to observe their minds and thoughts. The next step is to determine if the thoughts are creating increasing tensing in our minds and bodies. Then I help them to learn to choose new or different thoughts that support ease and better functioning in both the body and the mind. It is a lot how you talk about the charge in the body – so delightful to learn how you work with shifting this energy.
Thank you both for this inspiring and positive interview!
Sounds like you’re doing great work Laura.