Twitter 101

Many people have asked me, What is so special about Twitter, and why do I profess it's significance in our ever evolving social network obsessed lives?

The reasons are many and varied but instead of trivializing it, I wanted to take it one step further and introduce you to the experience I have with (what I believe to be) one of the most amazing tools on the web.

When Twitter first appeared on the scene several years ago, it appeared that people were using the platform to communicate the mundane in their lives, ranging from tweets (a tweet is a post you make to your twitter account) like "Just had an egg salad sandwich for lunch" to "wow, just saw this chick that looked just like Jennifer Aniston". Obviously the entertainment value of such nonsense appeals to a very small demographic. However, people started to see that this platform could open doors that they never knew existed.

And so the revolution of Twitter was born.

What happened next changed the way people communicate. Building virtual communities with people from around the world that at once seemed impossible, Twitter opened the doors to sharing our thoughts, ideas, hopes and dreams with likeminded folks.

Actors & Musicians found a new way to communicate directly with their fans, and businesses saw the potential to share their new products and services. For example, The new urban movement of the traveling gourmet food truck found a flawless way to let it's loyal fans know where exactly it would be parked, at what hours, and for how long, even offering special code words for discounts to be used when ordering.

Now you wanna join in the fun ....How does it work and what can you get out of it ?

First, go to www.twitter.com to create an account and password and screen name (for example mine is @DanielUrBrother) for your account. Now you're in!
* a side note to remember, all screen names on Twitter begin with the "@" symbol.

Now comes the fun part - Creating your virtual community:

Once you have your screen name and are logged into your account, go to the search window and begin plugging in your favorite things and people. You can literally search for anything and everything. Here's an idea of what one of my first searches looked like;

For News:
Breaking news (@breakingnews ) - an awesome feed to follow as I have found that they deliver the message to you the quickest!

CNN (@CNN ) My favorite news channel.
- Anderson Cooper (@andersoncooper ) his show AC360 ( @ac360 )
- Larry King (@kingsthings )
- Sanjay Gupta for great health and medical news ( @sanjayguptacnn )
- John King (politics) @johnkingcnn

For Spirituality
Yehuda Berg (co director of Kabbalah center) @yehudaberg
Michael Berg (co-director of Kabbalah Center) @michael_berg_
The Dalai Lama ( Buddhist Leader, and advocate of humanity ) @dalailama

Now make your list of people you would like to follow and start searching away! Maybe Oprah, or any of the editors of your favorite magazines - they are all in twitter! Often times giving you exciting information before it hits print!

Once you start following these people, you begin to see their posts showing up in your personal "timeline". You can then do several different things with these tweets,You can respond adding your thoughts, you can retweet the message to YOUR followers, or you can save the message into your favorites to refer to whenever you wish.

Following Friends;
You probably have many friends who are on twitter now that you didn't even know were there. Once you are logged into your account, you can go to "find friends" in the search window, then the system will scan the contacts and address book on your computer to find which of the email addresses in your database match Twitter followers. It will then give you the choice to start following them. Of course, you are always in control of what you see and what you put out.

Once you have amassed followers of your own, you can send them direct messages as well as public replies. Remember that you can only direct message someone who follows you. For example, I can't direct message Lady Gaga because she doesn't follow me (though she really should!). Email and personal correspondence is not really the prominent use of the application, so don't be offended if someone doesn't follow you back.

How and what to Tweet about...

Twitter is your world. You can do absolutely anything you want with it. You can post that you are having a beautiful day, or you can send an SOS out to your followers looking for suggestions for where to eat tonight. Just keep in mind that while composing your masterpiece, your tweet can never be more than 140 characters long. This is a good thing, trust me. Before you know it "u'll b on ur way 2 a whole new language" connecting with people all over the world.

Something cool to share...

Recently I have been working on a show with Henry Winkler, known mostly for his work as THE FONZ on the 1970's hit TV show "Happy Days". One day, I noticed that between takes he would sit in his chair typing frantically on his iPhone. I asked him what he was doing, and he told me he was TWEETING! He has something like 60,000 followers and takes great pleasure in connecting with people from around the world.

And no, you're never too old. There's an incredible lady in the UK who is in her 90's that tweets regularly. She is absolutely adorable and incredibly inspiring, if she has something to say, I'm sure you do as well.

Happy Tweeting everyone! Follow me @DanielUrBrother !!!

Live, Yourself

It's a crazy world out there. But who am I to remind you of that. You probably have experienced plenty of drama within your own life that it seems a bit redundant for me to even point it out.

Maybe I am doing it for me, to remind myself of the obvious truth. You know what they say, if you want to learn something, the best way is to teach it.

Here's the lesson I want to teach/learn...
It's never too late to turn your canoe around and just let go of the oars that have burdened your beautiful hands. Now infested with wretched caluses, due to the unsurmountable quantities of energy you have exerted on them just trying to "go with someonelses flow".
Sound familiar? Try letting go of those oars, use your hand for something more powerful like manifesting your greatness, your potential. Let the current of the stream take you down the river of your dreams.

Life really is too short. This past weekend my partners 25 year old cousin passed away due to liver failure. Did she see it coming? Probably not until that fateful day earlier this year when she new something wasn't "right". She was a beautiful girl with such incredible joy and happiness in her voice. Regardless of what was going on around her, she always seemed to make the best out of things.
I never had the chance to meet her because of the same ole usual excuses - "I can't wait to come to New York to meet you and hang out with you guys" she would say to me on the phone. "When I get this job or that money ... " she would always continue.
She and her boyfriend bought a house and so the money never came in her short 25 years.
Makes me really bummed that we didn't just forgo that night on the town and send her a ticket ourselves.

But who knew she would be gone so soon. Certainly not us.

Without coincidence, tomorrow is the death anniversary of my paternal Grandmother, who I called "MeMa". While she was about 55 years Julie's senior, I can not deny that I selfishly wish there would have been just a few more years to add to her life as well. She died of complications due to Alzheimers, so unlike Julie, we knew that everyday was one day closer to deaths door for her.

She was/is incredible. She taught me truly how to live, how to not have regrets and how to forgive and forget. She provided for me opportunities that I may have never provided myself. When I was very young, we began collecting pennies and I would take them to her and we would put them in a special savings account she kept for me at her bank. When I turned fourteen, I really wanted to go to a particular acting school that's cost was not in my parents budget at the time. It was almost as if she had a special window into the future and knew that my life's path would take me down the road to entertainment. The next time I was at her house, she asked me if I would like to cash my pennies in for that class. Those pennies opened a door to my future, that only she could predict.

As a teenager, I moved away relatively young (ironically enough, to go to a performing arts school) and I remember how she was so strong and proud, concealing her disappointment that I was leaving . Shortly after I moved to New York and kept on keepin' on as they say. I took for granted that she would always be there, I guess.

On September 11, 2001 She called me and for the first time, begged me to move back to Orlando. "They're makin' movies here now" she said. "You can get a job at Universal Studios!" . Of course, I explained to her that moving back home was out of the question. After a long pause she recanted her disposition "Well, I guess you're right ... don't let those damn terrorists take your dream away".

I have no regrets, as she taught me well, but I do wish I would have turned several of those new Gucci Accessories in for a few more plane trips to visit her in those last 10 years of her life.

I don't know what your beliefs are or how you were raised - but frankly all of that is irrelavant. We are living in special times, and not just because people are dying, but because every day we do not live every moment as if it were our last, a part of us dies.

There is no amount of money, no fear and no regret worth living with that is worth right now. If you are taking the time to read this post- I thank you for sharing one of your special moments with me. God bless and Godspeed.

Getting To Heaven, Via Hell

There are always hurdles to jump over, without a doubt. But I wonder ... Are you feeling like things are not happening for you? Do you sit around wondering when things will change? Are you tired of looking at the same ole face in the mirror?

I know. Me too.

That became the "Tipping" point for me.

I've been waiting for something to break in my business, something to happen to me, sitting around hoping things would change in my environment, wondering when I was going to loose that extra poundage that I had meritoriously gained by delighting in the luxury of being cloaked in winter's coats!

Alas, nothing happened ! WTF????

Waiting for things to change around me had been the cause of all my reactivity. Perhaps I was just so stuck in my mechanics to realize that I was in the drivers seat and I was the only one who could shift the gear into place.

If you've ever seen me behind a stick shift, it's not pretty. Jumping, bumping and screeching until the gear gets in place. That is SOO the way it is in life for me.

But when I'm in ... I'm in. I needed The Power To Change Everything.

I've been thinking about several things that I always wanted to do. One of them has been producing. As someone who works in the entertainment business, it DOES become the norm to sit and wait for casting directors and agents to call. In the misery of many others in my position, I found the comfort of remaining in that stagnant place. I had idea's ... some smart, some not so, and some brilliant. One idea was borrowing large sum's of money to invest in Indie Pictures that I believed in. Another more futile effort involved selling shares of a friends restaurant to gain some capital to invest!

Then, while as a guest at a friends practically Martha Stewart New Years Day Brunch it hit me. I am surrounded by some of the most amazing, talented, and creative people in New York. I wanted everyone to see their brilliance and I wanted to give them a frame to showcase their talent.

While watching a documentary called "10 Questions for The Dali Lama" came the name. The speaker on the movie was sharing the ultimate experience through the eyes of the most enlightened souls in the world. He said, a monk of Buddhism will PAY ATTENTION to everything. Every word, every sound, every single breath. In it he will find the beauty of the creator.

This would become the basis for my show. I would call it "Paying Intention" and I would seek to answer the questions that I had been searching for the answers to, by interviewing and showcasing these brilliant and talented people in my life.

"How do I make my dreams come true?"

"How do I take the necessary leap of faith in finding the courage to do what was needed?

"What really is my PURPOSE?"

But now that I had the idea, How would I do this ?

I turned to my Kabbalah Teacher; David Ghiyam. He had 3 very wise words for me;

BECOME LIKE GOD

God? That's a tall order, I replied

"Think about it.." He went on.

"God is all knowing, all loving and only knows how to do one thing ... "

What's that? I said.

"CREATE, SHARE"

BAM! I got it. Almost instantly. This is exactly what we are here to do, CREATE AND SHARE.

That's what I had to do. Get busy, because God doesn't wait for nobody, and God's doesn't judge that which he creates, so my "Fear of Failure" clause that always immobilized me, immediately became NULL and VOID.

My first step of action was propose the idea of this "Paying Intention" show to people who inspire me. I gathered a list, made some phone calls, and within moments we had content, and great content at that.

"Paying Intention Hosted By Daniel Bobby Tuttle" Launched it's first episode on February 6, 2011. Setting the stage for all future episodes, Episode 1 deals with the spirit and helping people to get to their source by understanding that our soul MUST shine. In order to do so, we must get to know it.

The second episode, a spiritual Ode to Valentines Day; focused on how to love yourself with honesty and integrity, launched a week later to rave reviews.

This weekend a special "Passion for Fashion" episode airs, empowering people to take inventory of the things they love and go for them!

Since the launch of "Paying Intention" we have gained several subscribers and have had inspiring feedback that has fueled us to go further.

"Follow Your Bliss and doors will open where you would have not thought there would be doors?" - Joseph Campbell

When I decided to dive into this venture, the most incredible miracles began to surface. People came into my life to help, as if they were ushered in by angels. Messages came from people at the most opportune moments, messages from viewers who had been touched by one of our segments. Moments when I felt like giving up and throwing in the towel.

Perhaps the biggest miracle of all has been the blatant display of my "Un-Godly" traits. Forcing me to deal with demons that I didn't know I had. These are the same demons that tried to keep me "waiting" for things to happen to me.

Whatever happens with "Paying Intention" is in the hands of the Light, but the lesson for me has been life changing. Do it. Go for it. Don't wait for anything or anyone to do it for you. You have the power to create miracles.

Becoming like God is hell. But at least you know the only way to go it up.

Please go to

www.payingintention.com

to subscribe to our podcast and let us know what you think.

Stammering To Find A Voice, Through A Teacher

Last night I had the opportunity to see "The King's Speech", the new highly regarded film staring Colin Firth and Goeffrey Rush, in theaters now. While the sure-to-be Oscar nominated film captivated me from it's opening sequenece, with it's beauty and incredible performances, it was the sincerity of the true life story of King George VI that pierced my heart.

As you may, or may not know, The King had a debilitating stutter. Perhaps not the worst condition one could have if say, you work in an office behind a computer all day. But to be in a position to command and entire empire, well.. uh .. I .. I .. I.. can't imagine what that might ...uh...feel like.

Even King's have challenges.

As this kind gentle soul reaches for his words, and swallows his pride in the same breath, you sit there and realize that we really are all alike. Each and every one of us. That challenges do not judge based on race, creed or social standing. That no matter who we are, there is always that gap between perception of who we really are, and who we wish to become.

Filling that gap are the challenges that we are given to earn our goals of becoming that person. Understanding that these challenges are the bridge to get us there, is the hard part. Once we understand the opponent, we can overcome it.

As I examined the life of George VI through the lens of the camera, I found myself cheering him on, hoping each time that he would make it, just a few more words without stumbling. There were times when he did (usually by using curse words, humorously enough) and times when he would not. But always beating himself up so fiercely that he lashed out in disgust at his teacher (played by Geoffrey Rush), for not being qualified enough for the job.

It was this relationship that moved me to write this post.

Lionel, The Kings Speech therapist, was a bit of an underdog. He championed himself on his knowledge of shakespeare, but couldn't act his way out of a paper bag. Never one to rest on his laurels, he used his gifts of voice and speech to help others. With no licensing or education of a professional manner, he copiously used his wit and charisma to win the respect of his clients. Under an alias, the queen answers an add in the classifieds seeking out Lione's expertise to help her husband with his condition.

His humble studio and working class surrounding create such a beautiful juxtapostion against the backdrop of royalty, as The King and Lionel work together to speak with confidence and poise. Lionel refuses to give His Royal Highness any special attention because of his moniker. He treats The King, as he would anyone else and pushes him just as hard as he does his other clients. Like a true teacher, you see the care and love this man fights to instill in a his stubborn students soul. Like a true teacher, he never gives up.

Eventually the King is faced with the greatest challenge of his life. He is expected to give a nine minute radio speech to the world declaring the state of affairs with Germany, and the looming threat of World War II. As this unfolds, his teacher is right there by his side the entire time. Eventually seeing The King deliver his speech with dignity to the world.

I have had many teachers who've touched my life in exponential ways. Some of which I have relegated to the back burner before I could appreciate and realize their value in my life. Some, I keep in very close touch with now and cherish their every word, and others currently in my life with whom I live in healthy fear of the wisdom they impart on me to empower change that comes with no shortage of pain and agony. Pain and Agony which, again ... is that gap between who I am and who I wish to become.

As someone who loves to have a go at most everything myself, I find I'm always knocking my head against a wall, trying desperately to answer my own questions. This doesn't work. We need our teachers, be them friends or professors, spiritual or literal, our life gets stuck when we don't have the push of these blessed souls to help us grow. We all have our own personal "Stutter", and we all need our own personal "Lionel" to help us to change.

Even throughout the adversity of the turned up nose of higher class folk, The King never undermined the blessing and gift that his teacher bestowed upon him. A moment in particular that I really loved comes to mind, when the King's advisor approaches him to let him know that he found a more qualified teacher for his majesty, with "better credentials." The King persists calmly, with a look in his eye that says "There is none other better suited than his gentleman, who will stay by my side".

Who is that person to you?

May we all have the merit to meet, and recognize, these special souls in our life who are sent to help us bridge the gap between who we are and who we want to become.

... And may the entire cast and crew of "The King's Speech" be rewarded handsomely during awards season this year !!!

Time Travel 101

About 10 or so years ago on a visit home, I came across an old picture of myself. In the picture, I am about 5 or 6 years old. I remember the night it was taken very well. My family and I had gone to an amusement park for New Years. I was freezing cold and my grandmother had promised me that when we got home, she would make me chili. In the photograph I had fallen asleep waiting for my chili to cool off. Mema, my grandmother, made the best chili in the world during the winter time, and because our winters were always very mild in Florida, I rarely had the opportunity to have that chili. I was so happy in that moment.

When I reflect on my childhood, I am blessed to recognize that there was no abuse, neglect or lack of any sort. But I did have my own personal challenges, certainly not out of the norm for a kid growing up in the material eighties. I played with He-Man (Wanted to be him actually), I also played with Strawberry Shortcake (that never went over so well with the other boys) and I always wanted to be famous. Not really sure why. I certainly didn't know why then. In fact, I was quite shy growing up and would hide behind my mom in social gatherings or run off with my aunt (she was like a sister to me, and was also very shy) when strangers came over to visit. I was the kid in school that was totally content with himself, I never had many friends because I felt like they would always disappoint me by not appreciating me for who I was. The minute they questioned why I didn't like football and would rather play house, they were out of the game. I didn't like to be questioned. The problem was, they would turn on me and go tell the other kids that I was "weird" because I wanted to play house with strawberry shortcake! Then of course, the other kids would then side with the "normal" guy and I was back at square one. Friends were way too much work for me and as an only child, I had plenty of experience making happiness dependant on no one but myself.

As I turned 8 or 9, just a few years after the photograph mentioned above, I started to get hefty, and as a boy begins to mature into being a fat teenager, life starts to look... not so much like a star, and more like a road mechanic. To escape the depressing reality I was living, I turned to my dreams and my fantasies. In those fantasies, I looked muscular and sexy like He-Man. I was a star like Madonna and I sang and danced like Fred Astaire in Easter Parade. Something about my dreams was so real to me. I always felt so certain in these visions that I began to live my life impatiently waiting for them to manifest. In that impatience, I felt little remorse for myself or others who got on my nerves. I just knew my glory days would come and getting through the present moments painful truth was made so much easier by looking ahead.
Everything happens for a reason. I am thankful that I had the coping skills to be so resilient as a kid.

When I found the photograph, I brought it back to NYC and placed it in a beautiful silver frame. I began to just stare at the image lovingly and fondly. Then I started talking to it. I looked at that little boy in that photograph and I promised him that no matter what lies ahead in his following few years, his life will be so blessed with incredible people and an incredible career. I assured him that he would not be overweight his whole life, that one day all that playing house would come in handy and that there are millions of other boys and girls like him. I encouraged him to get out of his shell and not be such a pushover too. I gave him the advice I wish someone else would have given me... or maybe someone had.

This afternoon, my partner and I stumbled across the film adaptation of the book "The Time Travelers Wife" in our HBO on demand cue. Ted had read the book many years ago and always counted it as one of his favorites. I never got around to reading it, and when the movie came out we never saw it because it got such horrible reviews. Most likely it was plagued with that ole "it will never live up to the book" adage. It was a blessing I never read the book, because the movie touched me in incredible ways. It got me thinking... or dreaming... or fantasizing...

When I was a kid I used to have imaginary friends. What kids doesn't, right? Mine were so real to me. I used to talk to them, save them a place at the dinner table. I would even bring them blankets to my tree house when it got cold outside. After watching The Time Travelers Wife today, I began to think; What if my imaginary friends were not imaginary at all, but future versions of myself going back to inspire a younger "me" to live and dream in the impossible, forever. To never give up.

Impossible? Maybe ... maybe not. We will learn in the coming years that this reality that we are experiencing is not all "there". We will learn that time, space, and motion are all figments of our imagination and in the endless quantum world we actually can time travel. Not in the physical limited idea we have of it, but through consciousness. By going back in time perhaps we can correct our present and prepare for our future. Imagine if you knew that forgiving that one person who you hold such a grudge against from your childhood could impact your life now in quantum ways.. Imagine Forgiving yourself for not meeting such high demands you placed on yourself.

How differently would you live your life now?

Imagine that a future version of you is trying to tell you that everything is going to be more than fine. That the challenge that you are dealing with now will make you a successful and/or inspiring person of the future. What if your challenge that you are facing now is merely a means to tell a great story to a child one day that will save his life? How differently would you deal with the present.

Are you listening to that future version of you?

I've Failed (At Failing)

This morning, as I woke to a rather over cast day in (Hurricane Season) sunny Florida, I arose with with gratitude in my heart for the gifts and blessings that are granted to me every day. I said a little mantra of thanks to the universe, and went on my way..

...on my way to bitter folks who didn't get their order right at Starbucks.

... on my way, to frustrated wives, sneaking a cigarette outside on their cell phones bitching about their husbands.

... on my way to angry kids, from northern locations, hollering and screaming that they came ALL THE WAY TO FLORIDA FOR THIS ????? (This being, the grey clouds in the sky and the rain hovering above)

Then I stared to think... WHAT FUN ! Let me join in all this bitching and complaining, so I started my own rantings of "what about this .. what about that .. " I agreed (as usual) with the kids, found compassion with the chick bitching about her husband, and all of a sudden, my coffee was too cold.

Sure enough, as I begin to join them I begin to see everything that is wrong in my life. I begin to see that My career didn't reach the height/goal that I set for myself this year. I still haven't married my partner of 5 years and started the hunt of children which I so desperately want, I see that with all the success I have had, I still didn't make enough money to make me "happy".

On top of it all, as I look in the mirror to size myself up, I put on my once-sexy Gucci bathing suit, and I am all too aware that as my Dad Say's "That dog don't hunt".

Just then a news flash occurs. I remember that one of the most precious of cosmic events is right around the corner, the "Whole-y Day" Rosh Hashana. (Click here for "What is this?')

SMACK !

I am reminded, yet again, of all of the time I have wasted in the last several weeks that has been available to me to maximize the potential of this special day. A special day that insures renewal and rebirth, with the proper intention.

So in all my reactive spirituality, I turn to one of my favorite "energy boosts", www.dailyzohar.com.

Today's offering (click here to be directed to it) uses the example of a cell phone to illustrate a very powerful point. Zion, the site's creator and my friend and teacher, goes on to say:

"Most of us have a cellular phone that helps us communicate with the rest of the world. Only a few know how it works. Never the less we treat it as a magical piece of glass and plastic and with a few touches we can transfer our voice and image to the other side of the world.

Even if we don’t know how it works, we use this device on a daily basis; keep it safe, charged and protected from damaging elements so we can use it again and again.

There are some devices and tools that the Torah (a cosmic blue print - not just a book of stories) recommends us to use. We may not know how they work or what the benefits for our soul are but we should use them the same way we use our cellular phones"

I must point out, I am of the most avid appreciator of my devices! I use my brand new iPhone 4 as if it were an extension of my hand. I rely on this phone as my means to a whole other dimension, which I can not see, taste, touch, smell or hear, but rely on to keep me connected.

This message in the above passage hit me like a ton of bricks. A simple shift in my consciousness allowed me to open my eyes a little further, and see these tools that are around me that I let just sit there. As you read the rest of the Daily Zohar (A tool within itself), day in and day out, you get very clear indications of many of the tools available to us daily. Right here, Right now.

As I began to think about this, I looked outside this huge window I have, upon my view of the majestic Atlantic Ocean, and remembered a "tool" I rarely use. It's called a Mikveh.

A Mikveh is a spiritual bath. With a few simple meditations, you completely (without touching anything) immerse yourself in a large body of water continuously, multiple times, to metaphysically cleanse and remove negativity. We all began our ascent into this world very much the same way, immersed in water and every time we do a Mikveh we get the chance to purify and start over again and with each dunk into the water, we dig a bit further and deeper to cleanse ourself.

Off into the ocean I went.

As I approached her, she seemed even more and more fierce than she looked from my hotel window. Her waves strong and powerful, Her undercurrents like a good mother, pulling me in further, deeper and deeper. I began to meditate, with each emmersion I started to feel the weight of the world lifted off my shoulders. At one point the meditation became so intense, I had to take a moment to capture my thoughts and emotions. My head came up out of the water, and SMACK a huge wave hit me in the face, reminding me to go further and deeper.

After a good ten minutes, I collected myself and began to head back to shore. As I walked back to my hotel room, I remembered that at no point is it ever too late to start over.

The only way we truly fail, is by not getting up and trying again.

Stepping Aside to Start A New / The Space In Between

The below post I began writing the day after my show, "Not While I'm Around", closed. For some reason, I abandoned the post and it stayed in my "saved drafts" file. There were several abandoned posts there, and as I revisit them, I see why. The time was now to reveal them.

Seeing as one of my biggest "issues" in this lifetime is to finish what I start, I feel like it's time to complete these posts and "update" them. All current notes are in THIS BLUE TYPE.

June 26, 2010

I have noticed a recent scene in the movie of my life. I call it "The Space In Between". If you have been following me for a while you know I keep a separate blog called "Eliminating Space" that I like to air all my poetry about life and it's complexities in. So why would I be now focusing on the space in between, if what we want to do ultimately is REMOVE the space in between?

Excellent line of questioning. However, I do have an answer. And clearly so does the universe ...

In the past, I have always felt like I had to be in the middle of something to get the full experience of it. For example, this week I had a huge project come to fruition. It was a cabaret show we created called "Not While I'm Around". This project has been huge for me, both personally and professionally. For the show, my friend and co-creator Tommy Foster and I decided to share the story of our friendship over the course of the last 15 years. A huge piece of that story is how our paths went separate ways. At eighteen, Musical Theater meant the world to us. The dream of singing and performing in a Broadway show marked the pinnacle of importance in our lives and we were destined on making that dream a reality.

We just went about it completely different.

I moved to New York thinking that within a short matter of time, that dream would be actualized. "Reality" set in for me and my life became about surviving, not thriving. All of that said, I would not take to the stage (to sing in a musical) for fifteen years.

Tommy's life took a different route. He went onto higher education in some of the best musical theater schools in the country. He developed an instrument that far surpasses the words I could use to describe it to you (click here to listen to his cover of P!ink's SOBER). It is obvious that the effort he has put into developing his talent has paid off handsomely.

Our show went well. It was a huge epic moment for me, because of the significance it had in the big picture of my life. We were only scheduled to have one performance, but as the universe would have it, we are not quite done telling this story. Actually, the universe is not done with us sharing this story, so I am happy to report that it will have legs and move onto bigger things.

At the time, this was true, and I am sure I will create many more pieces like that one, however, I feel like "Not While I'm Around" Served it purpose and there is no need to take it further.

I am feeling like my next "Musical" will be original. One of my greatest role models is the incredible, Stephen Sondheim. This year Mr. Sondheim celebrated his eightieth birthday and I had the merit to attend one of his many celebrations. His life has inspired me in ways I cannot begin to share here. In fact, just Sunday I found the book "Sondheim; A Life" at the Strand bookstore. The book has been out of print for sometime and is the only authorized biography of the masters great life. I've just begun to dive into it, but in the short tenth of a way through, I am compelled to attempt the audacious fete of writing a musical. Audacious for me, because I have zero experience in composition. We shall see, but I stand by my motto "IMPOSSIBLE = I'M POSSIBLE" !!!

Today is different though. For the past several months I have wondered how this first day of "The Space In Between" would feel like to me now, the space in between completion of one thing and the uncertainty of what is next. All the hard work and challenges, all the fears conquered, the new level of friendship Tommy and I have achieved ... the list goes on. All that is the after glow. But it's not the grit. The space is uncertain. That's where the comfort becomes painful. What do I do next? What do we do next? Where do I put my energy?

Shortly after "Not While I'm Around" closed, I had the merit to be asked to work on a movie called "My Idiot Brother" standing in for actor Paul Rudd, and making a cameo as "The Earth Taxi Driver". Those seven weeks proved to be some of the most rewarding and exciting weeks of my life. ( I will write about that later in the week bli neder )

However, what is the same is "THE SPACE IN-BETWEEN". I sit here at 1:40 AM on August 26, 2010, with the eagerness for that next project. But content in the process that will be neccesary to reveal it.

I was unusually calm before our show Wednesday night. Unusually. Perhaps it's because I knew it was the beginning of a new chapter. I had the same experience on Friday night after the director of the movie yelled "THAT'S A WRAP" for the last time as we completed principle photography and would not be seeing the same faces in that capacity again. Usually these moments are very intense for me. I get sad to see everyone go their separate ways. I was incredibly happy Friday night. For everyone and everything that they will go on to to. Myself included.

I feel so safe here. I feel like all my needs are met, like I don't have the pressure of the chaos of the outside world, Yet, not so safe that I am comfortable to just "Let" something fall into my lap. It's now time to get busy, to create and to share endlessly. I was reminded tonight that to the degree your desire is to share something, is the degree that you will find the space to fulfill that desire. I WANNA SHARE IT BAD!!!!

For the first time in my life, I feel like I have arrived here incompletely complete.

Walking home this evening I got a message at the forty second street subway station. A message that I have seen a zillion times, but never paid attention to; the message yelled at me:

"STEP ASIDE" and the number 42

Way too often I get in my own way. I start to think that I can do it all myself and that everything always has to be perfect, in my own control-freak-Virgo way. This message reminded me that I must get out of my own way and LET GO to let the Light in.

The number 42 is quite powerful as well. Without going into great detail, (please feel free to email me if you wish to know more) it's the numerical value of The Ana Bekoach, the Prayer of Creation, used by great sage's to leave the past behind and to start a new.

Step Aside and Start A New.