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  • "Life is 10% what you make it and 90% how you take it."


    "Life is 10% what you make it and 90% how you take it."

    This week I spent two days shooting school pictures at Mt. Paran Christian School. During my two days there, I got to know one of the librarians, Sara.  Sara shared a quote with me, "Life is 10% what you make it and 90% how you take it."  Immediately floored by the "jazz" in this statement, I found myself repeating it and savoring it over the last 48 hours. It wasn't enough to hear it...I had to know, truly KNOW, its meaning.

    First I had to look up the author of the quote. Irving Berlin! My first response was, "Why am I not surprised?! OF COURSE this would be someone from the theater world...writer of some of the most popular show tunes and musicals...someone who understood the need for a thick skin, persistence, and how to overcome constant rejection with perseverance. OF COURSE it would be the man who actually WROTE "There's No Business Like Show Business"!! OF COURSE!

    So now I believe it's destiny...fate...that I meet Sara and receive this wisdom: "Life is 10% what you make it and 90% how you take it."  I've been journaling about this quotation applying it to something in my heart and spirit to keep me going on "Genesis". There is a small portion of our lives that isn't under our own control. These moments belong to an infinite number of people, things and circumstances that while heavily affecting our lives, presents us with very little control over them.  An example would be the person going on a big job interview...the soon to be high school graduate applying for colleges...an actor on an audition. These people may prepare for the best outcome, but in the end, there are people, things, and circumstances that could trump your best effort and determine the outcome for you. So you do your best and move on. You do your best and move on. You do your best and move on. If you do your best and you get the job/get accepted/book the gig, life is good and you move on.  But what happens in the face of rejection?  What happens if you don't get the job, the school, or the gig? Do you wallow in your misery? Do you sit and speculate WHY things didn't go your way? You could have been edged out by one other applicant, one other student, or one other actor...OR...you could have been cut from the jump no where near victory.  Does either matter?  No.  What matters is what you DO next. The ONLY thing that matters is WHAT YOU DO NEXT. You move on.

    So many people have asked me, "Are you ok?" following news of Tyler Perry passing on "Genesis".  Yes, I am.  I'm not looking to jump off a bridge or building as some who have asked seem to think...made apparent in the "do you need a hug?" tone with which they ask "Are you ok?". These people are lovely and know OF me. The ones who DO know me have offered me a shot of Patron and follow with "Aight then, so what you gonna do next?" Thankfully, I don't drink that much but I do "move on".

    The last six months on the Perry ride was a great charge...a great bit of excitement and an excellent bit of promotion. Hell, even Tyler Perry knows about "Genesis" now!  As he should. He should know about it and he will sit in the audience with the rest of you, enjoying this movie in theaters. You see, the 90% of how I'm to "take" what's happened with "Genesis" so far is me taking it back and taking it over and taking it on.
      *I'm taking back my power as creator and producer of this film. I sat passively for the last six months, WONDERING what my film might look like in the hands of Mr. Perry.  Well...now I know (looking down at empty hands).
       *I'm taking over my fear that it's too big to make on my own. I'm a hustler! In less than 6 weeks of moving to Atlanta, I became the most interesting part of Tyler Perry's day on April 13th. I can do THIS!
       *I'm taking on the challenge of a lifetime...of my lifetime...the only item on my bucket list. I'm am going to make "Genesis".

    It's had it's starts and stops...it's moments so close and gone. Now it's time to bring all I've learned...and the hopes, goals, dreams, plans, disappointments, lessons, and successes and do this now!

    So...back to the quote "Life is 10% what you make it and 90% how you take it."...today, I wanted to do a little more research on the Berlin saying and I found the following...I found my co-sign:

    "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The most conspicuous display of your strength today will come from your persistence.  Please remember, you have the opportunity to make your dreams real...to actually live the life you desire. The key is to turn your dreams into goals...your goals into plans...and your plans into specific actions.  Right now is the perfect time to reconnect and recommit to your goals and plans. This may be the most important 5 minutes you will spend this week. Always have confidence in yourself in whatever you do and trust in yourself that you can overcome whatever that may come. And most importantly, keep on fighting your own battles with the “never say die” attitude.  You have one thing in common with all successful people: 24 hours a day. It’s how you use them that makes all the difference.  Let the glory of the Lord shine in you always."

    "Life is 10% what you make it and 90% how you take it."


  • 1 comment:

    1. Amen!! YOU have the POWER, Diva Blue. Looking forward to the screening of Genesis.

      ReplyDelete

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