The Importance of Being Flexible in Your Thinking

For years I had one goal: to become a working actor. I wanted nothing more than to grace the stages of the Barrymore and Shubert theatres. I longed to be part of some compelling television drama that had a finger on the pulse of the important issues of our time. I dreamed of delivering a monologue that might shed light on our humanity and celebrate the human condition.

In my own way, I accomplished some of those objectives but not nearly to the degree I'd once envisioned.

Only I never really took the time to ask myself why I wanted those things or questioned if they were in harmony with my core values, vision of the world, or the mark I hoped to leave behind.

As I got older I learned to be more emotionally agile and less obsessive about a single pursuit. By broadening my understanding of the world and subsequently myself, I realized there was more to life than landing a part on the next big pilot.

The minute I allowed myself to open up to possibilities I would have undoubtedly passed over just a few years earlier, I stumbled upon strengths and opportunities I'd never considered.

I learned you may not get exactly what you want but by staying flexible in your thinking you may find a different, but equally valuable trajectory that can influence others in ways your previous dream may not have been able to.

Most importantly, you worry less about what you'll gain and more about who you'll ultimately BECOME.

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