The World Has Lost A Hero- Nelson Mandela Has Passed Away.

Nelson Mandela Died Today.

When people talk about what kind of person they want to be, and who are our heroes, Nelson Mandela is often on the list.

You can go to NBC for a news story, but I just wanted to say thank you to him, and everyone who is fighting to help create a world that is better for everyone.

And I ask myself... Am I doing that?

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
Nelson Mandela 

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.
Nelson Mandela 

Birthing Babies and Business Marketing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFpNXtSjHfY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I had this marketing epiphany after seeing The Business of Being Born on Netflix. If you're a midwife, you have a business. Here are 2 things any business should keep in mind when marketing their stuff.

▶ Disney's "Frozen" and Casting question - Entreperformers

▶ Disney's "Frozen" and Casting question - YouTube: ""

As Disney changes the storylines and stereotypes to support different cultural norms, I had some thoughts about casting actors for roles and what "brand" we all project.

*Apologies to Lauren Abrams for the impersonation, as it was only a facebook conversation.
The voice I heard was strictly in my head... but I'm pretty sure it was close.

When people think of you, what are they thinking?

Sam Harris Speaks Plainly, but POWERFULLY

A Punch From Sam Harris

Maybe you don't know Sam Harris, but he's the author of several books including one I recently read "The Moral Landscape", which blew my mind.

It was about the SCIENCE of Morality.

Have you ever thought about that?
Is there a way to create a moral society using SCIENCE?
I hadn't but after reading that book, I think we can. However, there are a few things we're going to have to face about our current state of how we measure morality.

WARNING- This video may change your life.

Sam Harris - Morality and the Christian God - YouTube: ""
That video is pretty powerful to me, and I hope it is to you.

Maybe it opened your mind to loo around at things that we take for granted.
It did for me.

What was powerful for you in this?

Carlos Acosta, Reluctant Ballet Dancer Amazes The World

Carlos Acosta's story is inspiring to me.

He grew up in the slums of Cuba (Isn't communism supposed to avoid that?) where his father INSISTED he learn ballet... and now he dances all over the world, and THE CHICKS DIG HIM.

Now why did I have to bring that part into it?

See, when I was in Elementary school, we had BALLET HISPANICO across the street from my school, and I remember visiting. I remember us running across the floor, and jumping over an imaginary hole in the ground, and I also remember wanting to be a little more "graceful" about it.

But I also remember wanting girls to like me,
And Ballet isn't macho.

YES, I've seen Billy Elliot and all of that, but I'm just saying that it must have been hard for Carlos Acosta to grow up wanting to be macho in Cuba, but taking ballet all the time. The thing is, now he's got that "Cuban Machismo" (not my words!) and a powerful, confident body.

I'm pretty sure the chicks dig him ;-)

So my question for you is:
What kind of obstacles have you encountered in your art as an actor or performer?
What kind of self-doubt has crept up for you, and how do you overcome it when it comes up?

You Can Move Forward Even If This Hasn't Happened Yet

This might be a little "New Age" or a little "Therapeutic", but this is a good lesson for me about being able to move forward even if everything isn't emotionally stable for you.

Carrie Underwood Thanksgiving - YouTube: ""

Also, the idea that Carrie Underwood is doing Sound Of Music LIVE seems silly, and straight out of that Bill Murray movie SCROOGED.

Black Friday WORKOUT (At Home) - YouTube

The Thanksgiving Day / Black Friday At Home Workout

If you are going to eat as much as I plan to, you should probably figure out a way to work it off. I am working out on Thanksgiving day, since it's Thursday, and I work out on a Tuesday, Thursday, Weekend Schedule.

If you read "Half-Assed Health How to Look Good Naked WITHOUT Starving, Suffering, Or Surgery", then you'd know that I only work out 3 days a week, for about 30 minutes. You can knock this at home workout out in super fast time, and feel good, ready to eat your face off!


Black Friday WORKOUT (At Home) - YouTube:

You might notice that this is very similar to the Hurricane Sandy Workout... because they're the same thing.
Go for it today, and pick up a copy of the book for your end-of-year resolutions coming up!