Waiting for My Real Life to Begin
Don't you understand?
I already have a plan
I'm waiting for my real life to begin
- Colin Hay
Over the past few weeks, I got hooked on a cd/album/iTunes playlist by Colin Hay called Man @ Work. Hay was the lead singer for Men at Work back in the eighties and this album came out around 2003. In it, he rearranges some of Men at Work's hits like Down Under, Who Can it Be and an AMAZING rendition of Overkill with just him and acoustic guitar that is worth the price of the whole thing on it's own. It also contains some of Hay's solo work, including one of the most powerful songs that I've ever heard called Waiting for My Real Life to Begin.
As an actor/writer/comic/director/et al living in Los Angeles, you often live with that very feeling.
"I can't buy a house (have a family, buy a new car) now but when I get on a series (get some commercials, get that film, get published) I'll be able to"
There are many variations of that theme and they certainly aren't unique to people trying to make a career in show business. I think at one point or another, everyone goes through that feeling of "when this happens, things will finally be great". John Lennon immortalized those thoughts in the simple line from Beautiful Boy:
"Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans"
The big question for me is: How do you reconcile the two?
How do you, one hand, say "this is my life and I'm living it and enjoying it" while at the same time not give up on your dreams and 'get in line' and stop working towards what you've wanted for a long time.
That's where I find myself at very often these days. Waiting. Feeling like something is just around the corner but not knowing exactly what to do to get there or what to do in the meantime. I guess that's my goal for the new year. Trying to take more pleasure in the ride. I think the secret is balance. It's possible to be happy where you are but still want to accomplish more. You just have to take the moments you enjoy and go from there. One of the biggest blocks I have in my life is not enjoying the journey enough and only focusing on the destination. Inevitably, you are left with a "now what?" feeling when you do that, though.
Instead, I'd prefer the feeling of "what's next?"
posted by John K @ 12:44 PM
|
<< Home