Breakdown? Locked Out? Time to Zen Out

When plans change unexpectedly, leaving you with loads of time to brood or bemoan the situation, here are some ideas to embrace the “Power of Now” instead:

1. Think about the bright side. (Yes there always is one!)

2. Do something you’ve been needing quiet time to handle or think about.

3. Exercise, even if isometrically.

4. Meditate.

5. Think about changing the habit or action that got you into your pickle (if it was something in your control). Like, don’t lock your car or house door from the inside. Always use the key.

Yes, I’m writing a memo to self on that last one. Luckily I have my Blackberry on hand so I can blog-emote as I wait patiently.

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Randy Pausch Passes On (A Legacy)

We are often told to think about what we want our obituaries to say. Or what we want to leave behind. Or if you had X amount of time to live what would you do.

A headline in the UK’s Independent regarding the death of Randy Pausch expresses the legacy he left in the less than one year after he gave his epic “Last Lecture” speech, made into a book:

“The dying man who taught America how to live. It started as a farewell lecture by a terminally ill professor. Now Randy Pausch’s last goodbye is making millions rethink life.”

All websites mentioning Randy Pausch seem to be overwhelmed with web traffic, which right there shows his impact. To be sure millions are mourning while thanking him for his inspiration.

Don’t Wait for a Terminal Diagnosis

So often it takes an illness to make you take the time to stop and think about life. Or get the inspiration to live your true purpose on earth.

Don’t wait.

SuperViva Life Lists is here (and was created) for the very same purpose that Randy Pausch espoused: To live your childhood dreams or think about, and live, your grown up dreams.

Enjoy life. Live it to the fullest NOW. And every day. Express your love. Eradicate fear. Read about Vic and other life list success stories for further inspiration!

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Why Make a Goal List? A 17-Year Life Lister Tells All

I recently became acquainted with Vic (aka Vienesse), a longtime SuperViva member, who has had a life list since 1991. After a number of conversations, I realized that his approach to life and living with a life list could be of great interest. He’s an “every day” kind of guy who has a well-rounded, happy, fulfilling life.

We both appreciate Ralph Waldo Emerson’s words “It is not the length of life…but the depth of life.” I hope reading about his depth of life inspires you…

The Life List-Driven Life

Why did you first decide to make a life list?

I went to college at 17 and learned to think critically and to be my own person. Much of this was driven from the philosophy of Gandhi: “We must become the change we want to see”. Then in 1991, in an Organizational Behavior course, I was introduced to the life list of John Goddard, often identified as both the world’s greatest adventurer and greatest goal achiever.

Immediately following, I developed a life list with 97 goals, which has now blossomed to 241. Since 1991, I’ve collected a variety of experiences that have helped shape my character, personality and zest for life. SuperViva is an amazing tool to help people brainstorm and manage their goals, as well as seek inspiration from other goal achievers rooted in the same motivation…to experience as much of life as possible.

Looking back at your life do you feel your most cherished experiences came from things on your life list?

Read Vic’s answer and the full interview…

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A Goal to be a Movie Extra Achieved! Completely Randomly.

The phone rings at 3pm on Tuesday. “Want to be an extra in a Danny Glover movie?” my friend asks. “Can you be at the African American Art and Culture Complex in San Francisco by 5:30?”

Considering I had a goal to be an extra in a movie on my life list, I didn’t have to think twice.

While filming for the Harimaya Bridge is near completion, on this day they were filming a scene which will appear near the beginning of the film. It’s fascinating how the film team can track every little scene, filmed out of sequence. Our job as extras was to be a concert audience. The Berkeley Youth Orchestra did a lovely job playing the original piece composed for the movie. Having sat in many a concert, I knew all the right moves for acting like an audience member, no matter how much I wanted to pull a Kramer-like move (ha ha).

Anyhoo, it turned out this day was Danny Glover’s birthday. The entire event was quite special for other reasons: Glover started acting at this very center as a teen as a good friend of co-star Ben Guillory. Now his daughter works at the center. The Director Aaron Woolfolk grew up in Oakland and I had the pleasure of sitting next to one of his relatives.

Peter Coyote also appears in this movie. As an old fan, I enjoyed seeing him live if only for a few lines.

It will be fun to see if I end up on the cutting room floor (or the digital trashcan). But I’m happy they allowed us to take pictures and videos as a great memoire.

The Most Glamorous Careers Require Tedious Work

As we sat around waiting for scenes which required participation by the extras, I commented to Chris that most jobs that seem glamorous often require such painstaking detail to piece it together that, in reality, it is drudgery.

Namely advertising, online experiences, and movie making. All of these fields have producers who tend to the minutiae of every detail. The work needs to be done, and re-done repeatedly. You manage the creative process often in pieces with painstaking attention to detail.

Recently I achieved my goal of writing a screenplay and I learned about planning for props, thinking about all the film locations, and even what sound effects would be required. Phew!

These are truly productions in which the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

You Too Can Be an Extra in a Movie

Of course you need to add a goal to your life list to be an extra. Just by writing it down you’re more likely to make it happen. See all the various ideas on SuperViva.

Find Auditions - Sign up for free with Explore Talent

Not that I have all the secrets. But a few things you can do are:
1) Of course, be somewhere where movies are frequently made.
2) Subscribe to INFOLIST to learn about events and all kinds of movie industry related opportunities.
2) Check Craigslist under Gigs/Talent. You’ll often find film students needing extras. Then there’s events like the 48 Hour Film Project where you could be needed.
3) Stay tuned on SuperViva to receive an invitation to be an extra in my movie

I’m sure there are many Hollywood sites and publications that call for extras. Now go for it!

About Chris and My Fellow Extras

My friend Chris who invited me and most of the extras are members of the award-winning drum and bugle corp, The Renegades. I mention this because if you haven’t seen a drum and bugle corp made up of “grown ups” who participate in the band as a hobby (or maybe their work is the hobby, this is their life), give their videos a look.

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