01 Jan 2007 in Review
For 2007, I have made a valiant effort to exercise consistent gratitude
in all areas of my life.
To be overwhelmed with gratitude, no matter what one may be lacking or missing
is a gateway for positivity. This year, I have been consumed with thanksgiving.
In January of this past year, I welcomed a blessing from my local pastor for my
condo. This “blessing” allowed for continued blessings. This past year has led
to many new projects that have taken place in my life. Whether it be marketing
my book (entitled ACT ON THIS) to publishing houses and agents, to playing
one of the leading roles in the play WALK WITH ME (which ran for a limited run
in Westwood) to hosting NBC‘s YOUR LA with segments shot in London, England.
I have been busy with projects. I am definitely grateful for what adventures have
come my way. These adventures include a 2007 LA Emmy nomination for a show
that I hosted on PBS, a downtown, fun-filled 35th birthday party, attendance
to the Pageant of the Masters and seeing participant artists juxtaposed into
historical art pieces. Whether it be urging actor Patrick Wilson to allow a 90
year old Oscar Winner (Celeste Holm) to use his limo at the Tony Awards, to
receiving free airline tickets as part of a DR. PHIL audience giveaway, I’ve had
experiences to make me smile. Probably, the most fun that I had was being
intoxicated and belting “And I Am Telling You” onstage in front of a crowded
venue in NYC at the request of a “Tracy Turnblad” actor from HAIRSPRAY. I’ve
also been grateful to have the ability to do things for others. This past year, I
hosted two birthday parties: a 40th and a 93rd! I participated in worthwhile
fund-raisers such as an evening dealing with Autism, a Chabad Jewish Telethon
and The Broadway Flea Market for Broadway Cares (via phone). I was also
fortunate to escort my sister to a late summer trip to New York City as well as
house a close friend going through a tough period for a month. In 2007, I was
grateful for all things that happened to me: good and bad.
(The bad made me stronger.)
Good things in 2007 include hosting a karaoke night, discovering the Law of
Attraction with THE SECRET, being invited to participate in a quarterly happy
hour group and having the privilege to be the Godfather to a newborn
(from a Jamaican woman I met on the subway seven years ago.) The bad
things include having JERSEY BOYS tickets and missing it…twice, receiving a
J walking ticket during a bomb evacuation, getting hit on the forehead with
Halloween candy, judging girls in a “Little Miss Sunshine” national beauty
pageant and getting caught in a Puerto Rican Pride parade with Lynn Redgrave in
New York City. With all that has happened to me in 2007, I am indeed grateful.
I realize that I’ve had the opportunity to be exposed to many new experiences
and circumstances that many people would welcome. It is my hope that my
gratitude will become infectious. And you, yourselves, will consider all blessings
(big and small) and even obstacles……..something to be grateful for. I know, I do.