"Explore, Dream, Discover"

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."– Mark Twain

This quote hangs on my bedroom wall and I look at it pretty much daily, however it would seem that although I feel inspired every time I read it, I don't often put it into practice.  I used to 'throw off the bowlines' all the time.  When I left school I was so full of high hopes and open to any adventure.  I skipped away from my hometown with the biggest grin on my face, ready to conquer the world.

As we grow older though I see everyone's willingness to 'sail away from the safe harbor' start to dwindle.  There are children to look after and adult responsibilities.

A couple of months ago I was asked if I wanted to go away to France this summer and work as an entertainer, a job I did when I was in my early twenties.  I came up with a million excuses as to why I shouldn't go.  "I need to be there for the children I teach."  "They've got their show and I need to prepare them for it."  "I don't want to leave my boyfriend behind."  And worst of all, "I think this job is beneath me now! I want to be a serious actress!"

Looking back at this, a week before I leave for France, I can't believe that I was such a diva! Eventually I locked away the nay sayers in my head and organized what was going to happen to the children I teach, so that I could take the job.  But, I was still down playing it to everyone I told.  "Oh it's just a summer entertainment job."  "I did it before I even went to drama school" (Ugh! That last one kills me!)

Everybody I spoke to though was happy for me and full of optimism.  It was only me that was down playing the whole thing. It seems that I was scared of leaving my 'safe harbor', even though what's the point of being in a harbor if you're not going to get on a boat?  I love teaching, but that's not going to get me a 'serious' acting job. It just pays for my utilities and for me to go to dance class, singing lessons and workshops.  Two months in France singing and entertaining every day means I get to do what I love and be paid for it.  It gives me a chance to put my life in perspective and figure out where I want to go next.  There may not be any casting directors watching (although who knows, Pippa Ailion may holiday in France...), but I'll be working on my craft for when I return to the UK.

[Photo from my 2010 Season at Siblu Les Charmettes]

So, with just a week to go before my departure, I want to thank my good friend Courtney for giving me this job opportunity and let's just say, "Vive la France!" I'm coming for you! Ready to "explore', 'dream' and 'discover'!