Stress!

I'm usually pretty good at staying calm.  I meditate, focus on the present moment and trust that everything will work out all right.  I understand that worrying doesn't solve anything, so generally, I choose not to do it.  In my last post, I spoke of issues with selling my condo.  I'm sure these issues are no surprise, everyone who is selling property knows that it can't be done without complication.

I consider myself a relatively educated person.  I pay attention to politics, listen to NPR, watch PBS, subscribe to and read Money and Time magazines on a semi-regular basis, and overall, I choose to be aware of the world around me.  Therefore, I was taken by surprise when I realized that I know absolutely about the banking industry.  I'm not going to get into the semantics of the issues and decisions that lay before me; all I will say is that serious decisions need to be made. 

Now: for the good news.  I called myself completing a new draft of my screenplay that is perfect for Agape Productions.  In better news, I got an email from Danny Manus, a script consultant for No Bull Scripts with feedback on how to improve my second draft.  I had to give him a plug because he provided notes for my second draft, without me asking for them and without charging me.  So I'm going to have an even more polished script to send off to Agape Media and ABC Family.

More good news:  The window for NBC's Entertainment Associates Program just opened.  I have been checking voraciously all year.  I almost missed it, the window opened August 2nd and closes on the 20th.  There's tough competition and because of my lack of experience in LA, my odds aren't high.  But the window opens for 18 days every two years, so I'm glad that I got into it while I could.

So I'll just focus on my good news instead my frustrating condo decision bring me down...  

The Present Moment

So on the LA side, things have been looking great.  I'm getting lots of great, positive feedback from people in the industry and I'm eager to get there.  However, I still have this giant weight bearing down on my shoulders: my condo.  My place is has been on the market for almost two weeks.  I can't say that I expected to be showered with bids, but there are no promising leads yet.

A friend and old colleague is listing it and I'm just not getting a lot of positive feedback from her.  On top of the fact that she told me she doesn't have the time to devote to it so I should get another agent, everyone she's talked to suggests that I should list it for way less than I bought it for.

I know the housing market took a hit and it does suck to think of leaving Chicago with debt and no job, but I have been reminded to stay focus on my original purpose.  I will be lowering the price and getting a new agent today.  I can't say that I'm not scared, but I'm doing this for a reason. 

I'm not doing this for me.  My purpose is to have a positive effect on the world, using the television as a medium.  It's not about achieving my goal, making my money or accomplishing something in particular.  I'm not in LA yet, but I know I will be, and I know when I get there, I will be fine.

Though I am ready to move on, right now, this present moment is all that I have.  I love Chicago, my job is amazing, and right now, in this present moment, I am doing good and positive things.  I am being the change I want to see in the world, right now.  Regardless of where I am living, where I am working and how much my condo sells for, I am and will continue to be that change.  Like Michael Jackson said, I'm starting with the (wo)man in the mirror...