The Path to Prosperity is lined with multiple dimensions.

Last weekend I attended a memorial service that celebrated the life of a brilliant and creative man who had a profound impact on everyone who knew him. Leaving us far too young, I knew Gary Smoot as an award winning theatrical scenic designer, but I learned at his service that he was so much more than that. He was a magician, an actor, a friend, a father, a brother, an uncle, an inspiration, an athlete, an adventurer, a creative problem solver, a master of space, a genius of life…

He was an artist who had pushed himself to his highest potential in many realms — over and over again. Nothing got in his way to enjoy, love and create. Maybe I was wrong, but it seemed like he didn’t take things too seriously… there simply was no time to waste. It was as if he knew his time here was limited.

Like the gift of a lifetime, the message I received was loud and clear.

Suddenly, I knew –without a doubt– how I wanted to improve upon my own life. I was reminded of a promise I had made to myself long ago that I would live it up every single day, as if any one of them could be my last. I would laugh a lot, take risks a lot, feel a lot, enjoy a lot, learn a lot, love a lot, play a lot, create a lot, strive a lot, fail a lot and reinvent myself a lot.

Loss is a curious thing, isn’t it?

There are common virtues that live inside all of us, but sometimes it takes tragedy to awaken them.

What if we were ALL courageous enough to actually CELEBRATE our beautifully imperfect selves, our messy lives and our complicated relationships with ourselves?

What would that look like for YOU?

Our truth feels dangerously VULNERABLE… But believe me when I say that coming to terms with your truth is about the most liberating thing you can do for yourself. Whatever you are willing to discover about yourself can result in massive and life-changing break-throughs.

Our minds are far too exceptional to go unrealized.

We usually have VERY convincing arguments with ourselves for why we believe that we are deeply flawed, fundamentally broken and undeserving of what we TRULY desire.

But, why not let that go?
Life is too short for self-sabotage. Why not live in the moment? Why not explore it all, have a sense of adventure, become both a teacher AND a student of life?

What would it look like if you had no more regrets?

On Today’s Show

Feeling fired up? Me too!

I’m really excited to introduce you to my friend, John Billingsley who is probably best known for his role as Dr. Phlox on Star Trek: Enterprise. John has an amazing spirit and a passion for many things. He’s THAT actor that you see everywhere, but he’s also a heartfelt activist. Today we will be telling you about PUSH (People Unwilling to Sit on Their Haunches), an unofficial and a loose agglomeration that John created for concerned citizens interested in promoting volunteerism. Visit the Facebook Group here—>

Today’s Guest

Welcome John Billingsley!

John Billingsley, 45 year acting career. Founder/Co-Artistic Director: Freehold Theatre, Book-It Theatre (fiction, verbatim on stage) in Seattle, WA (late 80’s-early ’90’s), both recently celebrated 25th b-days. Regional work as stage actor, locally (LA) A Noise Within, Pasadena Playhouse, Boston Court, The Actor’s Gang. Approx. 160 film/tv credits, including Series Regular roles on Star Trek: Enterprise (Dr. Phlox), The Others, The Nine, Intelligence; recurring includes Turn, Stitchers, NYPD Blue, True Blood, Cold Case, Prison Break, 24. Graduate Bennington College: studied literature with Bernard Malamud, theatre with Nicky Martin. Got his start in 5th grade school play: ferocious, albeit gap toothed/lisping, Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. Adores wife: Bonita Friedericy, who is also (knock wood) a successful character actor; loves to read; go Dodgers.