September 2007
"Selfless service, when unintelligently handled, often creates chaos and
complications. It could even cause the opposite of the desired effect." -- Meher Baba
Doing nothing often brings me amazing results. That's right, nothing. My
lifetime habit of doing too much was often driven by misguided intention.
And I've learned that when I serve others for the wrong reasons, I can
actually do harm. Therefore, I give very careful, thoughtful consideration
to those I serve and to the jobs and clients I pursue.
On the biggest, universal scale, I want to serve the world doing what I do
best-passionately use my gifts to elevate others and make the world a better
place. To achieve this requires thoughtful, precise application of my
talents and gifts. From the tiniest nuances of my most intimate
relationships, to the clients I choose and the charity I give, I want to
make absolutely certain that I take the right actions, and wisest, most
direct course to improve lives and help people to grow.
In the days when I was much hungrier for business, I competed aggressively
for voice work. Vying for a job or role, I marketed myself in the most
creative of ways, jumping on every opportunity. I won a lot of business
this way, but I also lost a lot of precious energy and valuable time.
Today, I pause and give thought to my purpose, my strengths and G-d's will
for me. When auditions come across my desk, before I jump in and record, I
ask, "G-d, do you want me to be a spokesperson for dog biscuits?" "Is it
your will for me to hock this anti-cellulite cream or chewing tobacco?" I
may not get an immediate answer, but it's the asking, pausing and sometimes
doing nothing for a few hours (or a day) that often brings me to the right
action. After all, I want to help clients achieve their desired results.
It's possible, when I put aside my ego, that I may not be the vehicle to
take them where they want to go or vice versa.
So, with my husband, children, clients and others I support, I surrender my
habituated thoughts, attitudes and beliefs before I take action and I allow
truth to emerge and guide me. When I step back, pause and ask how I can
best serve them, I give everyone a much more beautiful gift of appropriate,
respectful and thoughtful care. Sometimes this even means doing
nothing-not fixing, saving or appeasing others. This is not always easy,
comfortable or pleasant for me, but letting the chips fall where they may is
living in right order, peaceful, and so much less exhausting. Letting a
child sit quietly with their consequences or turning down a potential client
is sometimes the most respectful, responsible thing to do-for them and for
me.
When I do nothing, what spirit time does with an hour, a day or a week is
amazing. The shifts that seem to happen all by themselves just blow my mind
when I get out of the way.
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