The Vs. Studio Blog

Whine privately.

Solve publicly.

Only you can make all this world seem right
Only you can make the darkness bright –“Only You” song by The Platters

Nothing will happen.

Unless YOU make it happen.

It’s only you.

The cavalry isn’t coming. There is no cavalry.

It’s only you.

You have way more power than you think.

Go make your art.

“Imperfect action is better than perfect inaction.” -Harry S. Truman

Researchers claim we have 175 cognitive biases.

(Wow, that’s a lot.)

As with any cognitive bias, the key is awareness. Once you’re informed and aware of said bias, you theoretically can and should be able to make better decisions.

Of all the 175 out there, if you had to pick one to lean in to and follow more often than not…

…choose the bias to act.

Action. Action. Action.

“Don’t think. Just do.” -Maverick’s advice to Rooster in Top Gun: Maverick

In a movie theatre.

Packed house. A bunch of people excited to be there.

Giant screen.

Wall to wall surround sound.

Ice cold air conditioning.

Comfortable seats.

The smell of popcorn wafting through the air.

And Tom Cruise.  Say what you want but the guy cares deeply about making great movies and giving the audience an incredible experience.

Go see TOP GUN: MAVERICK.

You’ll remember why you love going to the movies.

That is all.

P.S. – I’m not ashamed to admit, but, uh…yeah…I was crying nostalgic tears during the opening credits. What can I say?…80’s films made a big impact on me and this one transported me right smack back to my youth.

Does your art serve you?

Or are you serving your art?

“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” -Albert Einstein

“If you can let go of passion and follow your curiosity, your curiosity just might lead you to your passion.” -Elizabeth Gilbert

“People think of compassion as, like, kindness. The image comes to mind of some nice New Age guy bending to something with a look on his face like he’s about to cry. And I don’t think that’s it. I think of it more as a quality of openness that comes with being in a state of unusual attentiveness.” -George Saunders

Be intensely curious with everything you think, feel and experience. Cultivate a non-judgmental, “That’s interesting” mindset. Dig a little deeper. Go down some rabbit holes.

Be attentive in all your conversations and dealings with people. Open, open, open. Listen, listen, listen. And listen some more.

The answers, solutions and passion you seek lie just below the surface. Curiosity and attentiveness are your tools to unearth them.

Community = Common + Unity.

We’re all different people, but we decide to come together. United by a shared set of principles and ideals. Which we continuously strive to uphold and achieve.

That striving together and looking out for one another.

No matter what.

Is what we have in common.

We are a community.

“There is no way to happiness – happiness is the way.” -Thich Nhat Hanh

Confidence

Pride

Enthusiasm

Happiness

Generosity

Service

Passion

Excellence

What do all the above traits have in common?

They’re not if/then’s. Not something you someday get or earn. (“If I do this, then I’ll be confident.” “If I earn this much money, then I can be generous.”)

They’re all decisions you make to be.

How?…You just do. No matter what.

When?…Now.

A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. A good artist lets his intuition lead him wherever it wants. A good scientist has freed himself of concepts and keeps his mind open to what is.

Thus the Master is available to all people and doesn’t reject anyone. He is ready to use all situations and doesn’t waste anything. This is called embodying the light. – “Tao Te Ching” by Lao-Tzu, Stephen Mitchell translation

For all that happens to you.

For all that you do.

For all that you take in and consume.

Ask yourself this question…

“How can I use this?”

How can I use this to help others. My family, my friends, the world.

How can I use this in my art or my business or my hobby?

How can I use this to make me a better human being?

That’s one of the many great things about working on a passion project. It orders and prioritizes everything for you. You now have your meaning and purpose. Including and especially when you go through tough times. (For example, an actor is told to “bring their day in with them” as fuel for the character they’re playing.)

Go make meaning by making your art.

“You are both stars, don’t forget. When the stars exploded billions of years ago, they formed everything that is this world. The moon, the trees, everything we know is stardust. So don’t forget. You are stardust.” -The Rose Peddler’s advice to Jesse & Celine in Before Sunrise

For the actor…

You are in everyone and everyone is in you.

That means you can play EVERY part.

To do so, just dial up the stardust particles that most align with the character. Dial down the others.

P.S. – This scene. So good!