Kindness Trumps Talent

            Years ago, I directed a musical for the Rochester Association of Performing Artists (a.k.a. RAPA), and spent weeks auditioning many actors, singers and dancers of all ages.

            A diverse amount of extremely talented performers gave it their all during the auditions, but of course I could only narrow it down to a chosen few who would win the various lead and supporting roles.

            But it soon became clear who would round out the cast.

            I was impressed with the excessive talent of some, but more impressed with the extreme kindness of others. Some of those with the most talent, unfortunately, did not have the best personalities - nor the kindest of demeanors. And some of those with less talent - and in some cases, no talent at all, appeared to be less egotistical and potentially the easiest with whom to work.

            So, I was faced with a dilemma:

1.      Hire the most talented who were also the most egotistical and difficult personalities?

            or

2.      Cast the least talented who were the gentlest of souls?

            Ultimately, it ended up being a good mix. I cast those who were talented AND kind, and I also cast some who were not talented, but yet kind. Either way, I did not cast any of egotistical and somewhat mean-spirited - but extremely talented performers. They would have to at some point try again later for another production of mine, or somewhere else in town.

            Years after that, when I started teaching acting at Rochester, New York's Historic German House, I came across a similar experience. There were many fine actors who enrolled for my classes, and in doing so, they had to audition. I was a tough teacher, and expected a great deal from each of them. However, many who attended those classes went on to great things, in and out of the entertainment field.

            In any case, there was this one particular student who stood out - but not for the reasons that one might expect.

            He was an awkward sort.  He was very tall and very thin, and not very coordinated or particularly talented. But this actor had heart - and passion - and determination. And he was one of the kindest souls I had ever met. I knew that when he auditioned for my class, and I experienced that throughout the entire semester.

            And once the course began, and each time he stepped in front of the class to work on a scene, either by himself or with another student, his talent did not shine, but his kind heart and determination to do his best lit up the room. What's more, I was so proud of my other students whenever he did one of his scenes.

            Not one of them snickered or laughed at his performance. They supported him 100% - which not only was one of the rules in my class, but it was something that each of them CHOSE to do on their own.

            I could never bring myself to tell this particular student that he might not have "what it takes" to make a success of acting, because acting was just too important to him. He loved it so much. He loved to perform. "I don't want to do anything else," he would tell me again and again.

            So I kept him in my class - not because I wanted his money - but because I enjoyed his good heart. He was an inspiration to my students - and he was an inspiration to me.  And I never charged him a dime. His passion and determination for acting - and his kind heart and gentle spirit - trumped his lack of theatrical talent.

            And he taught me more about life - than I could have ever taught him about acting.

Zack Carpenter: A Loving "A+" Life!

I didn’t know my young cousin Zack Carpenter all that well.  I met him only a few times.  But I remember him, because he’s memorable.  And while his presence is ingrained in my psyche, a friend just reminded me that the name "Zachary," means "God has remembered."

So, it all fits. 

Zack was a quiet type; always smiling.  He never had a cross-word to say about anyone.  He never bullied anyone.  He was someone with a purpose greater than the average individual, because he wasn’t an average individual.  He didn’t have time to fret about the small stuff or the little things that so many of us worry about.  He didn’t have time to trifle in the pettiness of name-calling, or the judgment in any way of his fellow human beings.  He was too “good” for those things; his was a higher calling; his was a different path…a path that would lead to enlightenment and productivity – for so many.  In all, he struck me as the kind of human being that let people be and became a part of their lives if only to contribute to their lives; the kind of human being…who was a kind human being.

When I heard that he was tragically killed I immediately thought of his Mom, his brother Billy, his Uncle Jim, and so many others in our family who knew and loved him so very much.

Mary, of course, is devastated at the loss of her son, as is his father William.  This isn’t how it’s supposed to be; your children aren’t supposed to leave this world before you.  And Jim, who shared a special bond with Zack, is equally heartbroken over losing his nephew.  When I spoke with Robin, Mary’s sister-in-law, she said, “We lost our Zack.”

He was “our Zack,” indeed, even to those who did not know him well or at all. 

People like Zack touch countless lives, sometimes, without even knowing it.  But Zach knew it.  As I look back now, I can tell.  When someone has that kind of angelic face, and is that quiet, not boastful, and not littered with overt pride, you know they’re doing God’s work.  They don’t have time to talk about how the world needs to change; they’re too busy changing it.

They say the good die young.  Well, that’s clearly been confirmed by Zack’s early exit.  He was only 30-years-old.  Some of us live way past that; long, empty lives without affecting others in positive ways; by never attaining even the C+ grade in worthy existence.  But those like Zack start living their A+ lives from the second they’re born.

That said, the amount of Love that Zack leaves behind - and there’s a ton of it (as further evidenced by the Sports Illustrated article below) - is made up of the graceful pieces of his heart that he placed in everyone who was blessed by his presence. 

Assuredly, this is the additional confirmation that he now lives forever – in Heaven – with all of the other angels.

 

-----------------------------

To read more about Zach, please click on this link: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/news/20130719/new-orleans-skateboard-murder/

How To Feel and BE "Stronger, Faster, Better" - and Healthier!

As the author of The Bionic Book (BearManor Media, 2007), I profiled Steve Austin - The Six Million Dollar Man, and Jaime Sommers - The Bionic Woman, as portrayed by the iconic Lee Majors and Lindsay Wagner in the classic TV shows of 1970s (both of which are now airing on the new COZI-TV network).

The opening credits for The Six Million Dollar Man included narration provided by Richard Oscar Goldman Anderson, who spoke the memorable line, “We can make him stronger, faster, better,” in addressing the cybnertic reconstruction and transformation of Steve Austin into a power-house half-man/half-machine.

Modern science has been inspired by these wonderful shows, thus proving that the potential for classic television positive influence is real.  The advances in real cybernetic and artificial limb reconstruction have been phenomenal, if not yet achieving the super-strength of Steve and Jaime.

In the meantime, however, we can do our own part at the very least to maintain our bodies, to make them stronger, faster, better, by ingesting the healthiest foods and drinks.

The truth of the matter is this:  our bodies reconstruct themselves every year. 

According to recent research, our DNA renews itself every two months; our skin reshapes itself in just one month; our liver reconstructs itself every six weeks; our stomach lining reforms itself every five days; our brain rebuilds itself in one year; our blood reforms itself in one month; and our body recreates an entirely new skeleton in three months.

So just imagine the opportunity we are granted by ingesting all the right fuel for our bodies?  In no time at all, we can become the healthiest super-humans we can possibly be – if we eat the right foods, drink the right drinks, and stick to a consistent exercise regimen.

And we can start the process with these few easy steps, and the proper understanding of digestion, elimination, cellular reconstruction and again, exercise.  To begin your day and pave the way for proper digestion within each 24-hour period, here’s one positive path to follow every morning:

1]         Awaken and immediately give thanks for every good and healthy part of your body and life, from your past and present (whatever you focus on, expands; concentrate on the good, things get better; concentrate on the negative, things get worse).

2]         Talk to your body, and speak only words of health and kindness over it.  Many books have been written about the positive influence that positive words have over bodies (including The Power of Prayer On Plants by Franklin Loehr - http://www.amazon.com/Power-Prayer-Plants-Franklin-Loehr/dp/0548133220/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1370002326&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Power+of+Prayer+On+Plants; and The Hidden Messages in Water by Dr. Masaru Emoto; http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/0743289803)

3]         Before enjoying any solid food or drink of any kind, first have a nice warm cup of water, which will help to clear your digestive tract before breakfast.

4]         Then have a small glass of organic carrot juice, which automatically rebuilds and prepares your blood on a cellular level.

5]         Then commence your regular exercise program (preferably aerobic exercises followed by strength-training).

6]         From there, just merely go on with your day, eating and drinking all the right foods, and not including…and I repeat…NOT…including any red meats (and preferably no meat at all); no dairy, no soda, no alcohol; no drugs; and certainly no cigarettes.

7]         But you can say YES to:  purified or distilled water (if the latter, then add just a pinch of sea salt; but not regular table salt); any amount of fresh fruits or vegetables; and lots of nuts, seeds and other legumes (lentils are the best), any way you want to slice them (raw, steamed, or in soups; but no dried or fried); and ease up on the bread and pasta.

Trust me, as an Italian-American, I know that last suggestion is a tough choice!

But if you find the stamina to follow this program, I promise that you, your immune system (which fights ALL disease and disorder), and your entire body will become, if not actually bionic, most certainly, super-powered.

  

The Key-Chain Effect: Never Turn Down An Invitation

I've needed a new key-chain for quite some time.

It's not something you really think about purchasing when you're out and about...especially in the hectic pace of living in Los Angeles.

Nonetheless a key-chain is a near necessity that serves a purpose.

Key-chains keep things together...they help you organize the various aspects of your life:

Your house key...your car keys...your mailbox key...your safety-deposit box key, etc.

In all, you need a key-chain to "connect the dots," so to speak.

And ever since I moved to Burbank a few months ago, I wanted to get one and "re-connect" those dots.

But again - I just haven't had the chance.

Except until the other day...when a generous friend invited me to lunch at one of the major studios where he has his office.

Before I left to meet him, I grabbed my keys, merely held together with a tiny, fragile silver ringlet, and thought to myself - as I had many times in the last few weeks, "Man - I gotta' get a key-chain."

I then went to meet my friend at the studio and, after treating me to a delicious meal in the executive dining room, he further invited me to the studio gift shop.

"Come on," he said, "I'll buy you a sovenir."

So, we walked into the gift shop, and the first thing my friend said was, "How 'bout a key chain?"

After being stunned for a second, I replied, "Perfect!"

Moral of the story:  I learned a long time ago to never turn down a kind invitation...whether to a party...a vacation...a lunch...or just to meet a friend.

For every invitation is a sign as to which next proverbial step you are to take - a link - in the key-chain of life.

North Korea: What Exactly Is The Problem?

According to various recent news reports, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry dismissed as "unacceptable by any standard" weeks of dire warnings of impending nuclear war by North Korea and said Washington would never accept the reclusive state becoming a nuclear power.

But the core issue at hand is not whether or not North Korea will be "accepted" as a nuclear-powered nation, but rather...what exactly is it that they want?  What is the issue?  What is it that is forcing its leader to be so aggressive and divisive?

What is the problem, and how can THAT issue be resolved – with diplomacy, the highest good for all those concerned – and without bloodshed or global annihilation?

The Key To Your Success

"Do for others when there is nothing in it for you, personally or professionally,

and you will always have work and friends."

 

- Herbie J Pilato

 

www.herbiejpilato.com

Making Choices Is Your Greatest Power

"While your character is formed by your circumstances,
your desires can shape those circumstances.
The one thing over which you have absolute control is your own thoughts.
It is this that puts you in a position to control your own destiny.

Nature is constantly at work around you.
Character and destiny are her handiwork.
She gives you love and hate, jealousy and reverence.
You have the power to choose which impulse you follow.

At any time you can decide to alter the course of your life.
No one can ever take that away from you.
You can do what you want to do and be who you want to be.

Your greatest power is the power to choose."

 

- Anonymous