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#MinuteMotivations

6/29/2019

I've set my timer.

My mind is full.

Trying to get it all out so that something good may come of this cluttered mind.

Throughout life we're going to come across people who don't believe in us. In our minds, initially, we think "Gosh, wouldn't it be nice if people 100% agreed with me? 100% liked me? Just, 100% made every day a positive experience?" But then you sit back and think no, that actually wouldn't be an ideal life because with no conflict comes no change, and with no change comes a predictable, stagnant life.

So learn to change the conversation you have in your mind about what those other people's opinions really mean to you. Someone doesn't agree? Or like you? Why do you really have to care? Liberate yourself of wondering why, and use that brain power for something more productive.

That minute was up a minute ago....I'll work to get these thoughts out faster.

Change your mind, change your life.

Side note.....Happy National Cherry Festival, everyone!!!

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Leap

6/12/2016

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It's hard to believe that it's already been a week since I left my restaurant job.

Back track....WHAAATT????! If you're no longer serving tables, then how are you going to make a living? How are your bills going to get paid?? You need security, don't you?

Well, it came a time in my journey where I have to answer all of those with: "I'll do it with my acting career."

I became too comfortable. For four years I served Italian food where it became like second nature to do my job and do it well. Heck, not even just "well", but to the point where people would request me by name, waiting despite an empty restaurant just to sit in my section. I took command of my job with confidence and assurance; I was completely genuine and with that I truly found success there.

I was making a good living: paying all the bills, setting some aside for savings, and enjoying the fruits of my labor with movie tickets, trips, and the gym membership I've been wanting.

But I wasn't happy, I could sense that for a long time and my intuition knew exactly why: while life as a server was peaking, my career as an actor was plateauing, if not flat-lining. Yes, my confidence made me a great server, but why couldn't it equally assist my acting? Finally my gut was able to relay this message to the brain and it dawned on me: it's time to shake things up. So yeah, I took a risk and left a job that many others would kill for. But I didn't come here to be a waitress; I didn't travel 2500 miles away from family and friends just to do something I could do right alongside them. I came here to act, and my schedule wasn't allowing me to take classes, go to workshops, or even attend networking events. I was saying that I was an actor, but I hadn't been acting in a long time, at least not in the way that I had always imagined.

So I quit. Ironically, the moment I put my two weeks notice in, five auditions flooded in. I see it as a sign and, even though I'm too practical to know that it'll happen every week (although I wouldn't complain!), I know that it's going to happen because I have opened myself up completely to the opportunities I need. No, I'm not saying to quit your jobs and throw caution to the wind, but it is important to assess yourself, your goals, and where you are in your journey and what you need to do to progress. When I finally did this, I saw how far away I had veered that I knew a big risk was in order to get back on track.

My signature on my phone is "Leap, and the net will appear". Leap...take a risk...do something that scares you because the worst that can happen is that you'll grow and change. Living under the tent of security and safety doesn't always equate to happiness, and those latent, squashed desires will burrow through you with resentment. Life is too short not to take a risk on YOU.

So here we go....from career server to the career I feel destined for. And....jump....

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To Age or not to Age...

4/14/2016

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For me, for you, for everybody, I would hope there would be no question, mostly because the alternative to getting older is...well...to be dead. And believe me, there are a lot of things that I want to get done in this lifetime and feel so far from accomplishing.

What's really on my mind right now when I talk like this is the ageism that occurs in Hollywood. This, for most - myself included - isn't a new topic, but it's one that has been hitting closer and closer to home lately, inspiring me to vent about it and get it off my chest.

That being said, before I go any further, let me acknowledge the fact that yes, I know that I am part of a very superficial industry, and that I am constantly being judged on how I look because that

is ultimately my product to sell...ME. But lately, the idea of what "youth" and "beauty" look like just seem so unattainable and so inhuman! In order to be "sexy" it's like I have to look like I could be in my 20s....not when I'm actually in my 20s but for the rest of my life. My skin should always be tight, wrinkles should never appear, smile lines should always be at a minimum, and dark circles will never exist. When these "issues" arise, I've heard so many young woman encouraged to undergo surgery to lift here, round there, contour here, as if that's what's expected of us, as if it's no big deal.

Well shoot....my skin won't always be tight, which shows that I have been fortunate enough to live a long life. My smile lines will deepen, which shows that I have had a lot of joy in my life, and much to to laugh about. The dark circles will be there, proving I have been staying up long nights in order to pursue my dreams and make sure I am giving my career everything I've got.

As for the surgeries, I want so badly for my nieces and nephews to look up to me, to see that I've done it naturally, that I was confident in who I am and what I've become that I don't need changing. That is the image I want to present to them because I don't was their insecurities to make them prey to the viscousness of mankind.

So please, Hollywood, can we start portraying a more "normal" aspect of beauty? Can we acknowledge that aging can germinate even more sex appeal? Why don't we embrace the every day person and how she looks and make THAT what celebrities look like?

We sure could save a lot of time and head ache. Vent done.

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Holiday Reflections

12/5/2015

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It's the holidays, so my natural instinct is to overwhelm my feeds with positive thinking, well wishes, and the general merriment that goes along with the season. But in light of all that's happening in the world, I'm finding a hard time finding a happy medium.

Sure, what I really want to do is watch videos of dogs welcoming their owners home from war, cats attacking Christmas trees, and Ellen granting a sick girl her wish of singing alongside her idol. That's the type of world I want to live in: a world where things are heartwarming, full of love, and overflowing with inspiration.

That part of the world does exist, but there is a yang to that yin, and that is the onslaught of mass shootings, terrorist attacks, and refugees desperately seeking refuge when their own country has betrayed them. These issues kind of cloud the holiday season, but it would be naive of me to cheerily say "HAPPY HOLIDAYS, MERRY CHRISTMAS" when there seems to be so much more to be done.

As an artist, I do want to make an impact on the world, and looking at these issue that keep cropping up, I almost feel defeated in the fact that I don't feel that what I do can even make a difference. But then again, there isn't a lot of clarity as to WHY these things are happening, so we can't make any assumptions until facts are gathered. Is this an issue of gun control? Better mental health care? A re-defining of our Constitution? Until we are certain, spouting opinions just doesn't seem to get me anywhere except worked up, and that's of no help to anyone.

There are countless articles on both sides of the issue, and one that really got me questioning was the one that attacked those who were sending "thoughts and prayers" to those affected by all these terrible incidents. Like me, these people probably don't know what to do, except what's in their means, and if praying and good thoughts are all that they can give right now, that's at least something on the line of good. I don't know where my efforts are best suited so I continue to fight with my means: making videos to inspire, interacting with my friends and fans, and being the kind of person I want others to be to me. It may sound too simple, but until there's a solution, something to tangibly worked toward, it's all I have to offer, and at least it's something good.

We are all entitled to our opinions and beliefs, so in this time of holiday cheer and tragedy, let's be respectful but also proactive. Continue to watch those videos because it's a good reminder as to the world we wish to emulate for all. But when the time comes where my efforts are able to be used for the greater good, you bet I'll be there.

Happy Holidays. Merry Christmas. Here's to peace and happiness worldwide.

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Finding Motivation in the Smallest of Places

10/8/2015

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Pun intended. I'm referring to Kevin Hart.

But of course you know I meant this in jest. I've been teased because I'm too tall, he's been teased because he's too short, but now we're both at an age where we really don't care. You can't bully the confident.

So I watched The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and his first guest was Kevin Hart. I've been watching Kevin as of late because, as you may or may not know, he just got done filming "Central Intelligence" opposite my career mentor, The Rock. Plus, this was actually a film that I auditioned for....to play opposite these two action stars...but I didn't get it as my role was changed to a male...but alas, I digress.

I never thought that I could connect even more to someone who embraces his snark and wit, but I really applaud Kevin Hart even more because of his seeds of inspiration. Who knew??! On a Comedy Central show, Kevin Hart totally nailed in his speech exactly why I do what I do: "I'm big on health....here's what I've learned...I've learned that I have a platform where I can motivate and inspire, and what better way to do that than running?"

A platform where he can motivate and inspire: Kevin Hart is using his celebrity to spread positivity, and he just so happens to use running, which is one of the many athletic endeavors I use to do the same. Celebrity isn't for the cars or the clothes or the exotic vacations or the tiny dogs that fit in expensive purses; it is exactly that....a platform where you can do so much good for so many people. You can inspire, connect, motivate, and really become a part of changing humanity for the better. That's exactly why I pursue my passion of acting and also why I correlate that with my KulaNinja videos, my training, and my martial arts. All of these are connected in the sheer fact that they are my platform, where I want to invoke change and do the best that I can do to those who will listen.

So thanks Kevin Hart, that little statement really spoke volumes to me and reiterated why I keep pushing forward, one foot in front of the other, one beautiful day at a time.

PS....as you're really into running and I don't have a partner, what are you doing this Sunday, October 11th? I'm running the Long Beach Half Marathon and could use some motivation. ;)

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#MinuteMotivations

Side note.....Happy National Cherry Festival, everyone!!!

Leap

To Age or not to Age...

Holiday Reflections

Finding Motivation in the Smallest of Places

Where Words are my Weapons

Kelly Kula

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