Tom, do you honestly think I have never thought about all of this before? I made a decision to do what I love to do, and I accept everything that comes along with that. Whatever happens next, I accept it. This is what theatre is; it is joy one day, and it's gone the next. It's like a religion, and I don't apologize for wanting to be a part of that, and I don't wish for something more. I really don't.

-- Smash, "Tech"

Monday Morning Required Reading. Many of you may have already seen this. I posted a link to it on Facebook as soon as I read it a few days ago. And then I posted a couple of quotes from it on this blog. It's a bit different than the normal readings I give you on Mondays simply because it's not a short story or a poem. But this is the kind of piece that touches my soul in the best way possible. As E - one of my best friends in the world and an actress - told me, it is "so great to read something oozing with such encouragement and honesty." Plus, Leslie Odom, Jr. is currently on the show Smash, which I am kind of in love with. So, here's something that will hopefully leave you encouraged to follow your passions no matter how impractical they may seem at times. Leslie Odom, Jr.'s "We Are Not All Artists the Same":

We are not all artists the same. Process and purpose varies. Success and how we define it can look so different from person to person. Gifts and talents make each of us so indelibly unique that competition is pointless but we get lost in it anyway... 

We are not all artists the same and yet...I cannot help but feel drawn to other artists. I cannot help but feel connected to others who consider themselves craftsmen, who devote their lives to creation. And I think that we all find ourselves drawn to those who seem to have direct access to that "God Thing." That thing that makes us want to believe again. That thing that encourages us one more day. 

Great men have the ability to make us feel as though we can be great also. 

[KEEP READING]

Tom: Tell me why we do this again.

Sam: Oh, you know. Art.

Tom: Art. What? Art is a sick compulsion. Art is an ego gone haywire. Art...

Sam: Art is beautiful. It brings you joy to write a song, brings us joy to sing it, brings an audience joy to hear it. Now get back to work.

-- Smash, "Bombshell"

It's no joke, beloved. But you can do it. Prepare yourself. Dedicate yourself to it. Love it.

Have the courage to dream a new dream if IT doesn't turn out the way you want it to.

IT almost never does by the way...

We need you. We need your voice. We need your truth. I look forward to meeting you someday soon out here. We will swap stories of survival and triumph. We'll tell of heartache and disappointement. But oh how much better we'll be for it all.

-- Leslie Odom, Jr., "We Are Not All Artists the Same"

Make sanity a priority. Surround yourself with people who do the same. Stay inspired! Refill the well. Be a fan of artists whom you love! Remain a student always!

-- Leslie Odom, Jr., "We Are Not All Artists the Same"