There Is No Prize Out There

What, what a video I just found while going through my Google Reader (yes, I still use that every now and then) — and it’s no surprise I found it on the Causemopolitan, the blog my good friend Sloane Berrent runs. The video is Kevin Spacey answering the question of how someone can appreciate the early years leading up to the “ultimate prize”. Particularly if you are young and don’t have clear direction in your life, this is a must watch.

To want, and to be ambitious, and to want to be successful. Is not enough — that’s just desire.

There are still way too many people in this world that don’t understand “WHY”. Why do you do what you do with your life? Like – REALLY. Many people spend years and years doing things they hate for the “ultimate prize”. They think the money they earn now will make them happy in 20 years. Don’t wander around aimlessly for the rest of your life doing what others tell you to do to reach some crazy prize in 20-30 years. Is 20 years of misery worth the chance at being happy in 20 years? Do something meaningful, do something you WANT to do, and do that something NOW. Know what you want in life, and go do it. You’ll be a happier person — now and in the future — as a result.

I’ll end this with the same phrase Sloane ended her post with — There is no prize out there. There is only the prize within.

Thank you Sloane for sharing.

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http://sfres.com Brad

I remember seeing this back when I has pushing at being an actor full time. It resonated with me to this day and there’s so much truth in what he shares.

The so-called salad days are a beautiful thing. There’s so much to be gleaned from our experiences in the the *now* and not some far off idea about how we thinks things will be. When I look back at times when I was struggling, living in a studio in the city I could hardly afford with my wife, surrounded by good friends who were all in the arts, it was the same as it is today in the sense that some days were better than others, but the real gifts were in the moments – being fully present.

Acting as a craft draws many people in for the wrong reason. Those looking for attention to fill a *void* in their lives. It ends up being an endless cycle of trying to fill the void from the outside, when the only thing that can fill it is you.

Thanks for sharing. It’s always good to be reminded
http://www.drewmeyersinsights.com Drew Meyers

Thanks for the comment Brad. This video was a great reminder for me as well — and is prodding me to move forward on a few things I keep pushing off…such as starting to raise funds to build a school somewhere in the 3rd world. That’s the type of stuff that makes me happy.
http://sfres.com Brad

It might be helpful to note the context of this interview as well. Looking back, from outward appearances, Kevin Spacey was at the top of his career. He was doing big films, indie stuff, winning awards and the whole bit.

I saw an interview with him a couple of weeks ago. He moved to London 8 yrs. ago and followed his passion of starting a theater company in one of the oldest theaters in England. What does he have to say about not living in Hollywood, US?

“It’s easy to love where you live, when you love what you’re doing”
http://www.drewmeyersinsights.com Drew Meyers

Totally agree Brad

And I have zero desire to ever live in Hollywood
http://www.drewmeyersinsights.com Drew Meyers

Guessing this is the interview you watched? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C40wfmaKRa0
http://sfres.com Brad

… it was actually Chelsea http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1FKEdbJLsU

Now you know my dirty little secret
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http://www.driftingduo.com Brad Arsenault

good stuff Drew.. I remember reading this quote before we started traveling. It always inspired me to take action and I think it is relevent here:

“Sometime you just have to take the leap, and build your wings on the way down” – -Kobi Yamada
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