Mama's Musings

[Slow News] Wrangling without strangling http://ping.fm/RCgQK

Extras Wrangler and the American Cowgirl

If you've ever been on a film set, you will know there are two things of utmost importance: punctuality and quiet. Without those two things, ne'er a movie made will be.

I was asked to be an extras wrangler for a long-time running TV family soap opera in Munich recently. Wednesday was my first day on the job. It entails making sure all the extras on set are a) quiet, b) in their appropriate positions on cue and c) don't eat, mangle or destroy any of the props. It may sound easy, but it's like herding cats.

The particular set where I am is an outdoor one. It is reminiscent of Sesame Street without the puppetry, only more real because it truly is outside. You get to feel one with nature as it rains, snows, or is blazing hot (like yesterday). But the cool thing is they give you a walkie talkie and suddenly you are distinct from the pack. The walkie gives you authority. Armed with my head set, I am the American cowgirl.

The casting agency that hired me told me "If you can affect quiet with one 'Pssssssshhhh!', you've arrived." On the first day, relatively early on in the day, I managed to silence 32 people with an evil look and the fiercest "Pssssssshhhh!" I could muster. Because I am an extra sometimes, too, I know how it feels to sit in a small room for hours on end while you wait for your next performance. Battling the ennui, you are often lulled into a dull trance or irritable. Whenever they get unruly, I start counting their lovely German-speaking heads outloud in English. The stunned effect works wonders and keeps them quiet when I need it most!

Being a mom helps as I have learned how to blend the right amount of authority with love and affection. Laughter, stillness, and a powerful sense of purpose yield great results. And yes, sporting sound equipment and a clipboard helps, too!

[Slow News] Wednesday Wisdom – Minute-Snatching at Night http://ping.fm/t6zdb

[Slow News] Give me a break http://ping.fm/t8P3h

[Slow News] Time Gone By http://ping.fm/kzNrN

[Slow News] Personal Productivity – A Chat with the Project Shrink http://ping.fm/U5nOG

I used to be a nice person, until I had kids

If you believe Debbie Ford (I do), we all have a shadow side: that dark, ugly part of ourselves that most like to stuff in the back closets of our being. Having kids has taught me I have one, too. Lack of sleep, improper nutrition and a seemingly endless weight of responsibility have driven me to say less than nice things on occasion. Anyone who denies they've snapped at their kids is lying.

Don't get me wrong. Most days are rather lovely. We joke, tell stories, laugh, tease each other and banter about the kitchen, growing in our appreciation for one another as human beings. But as such, we all carry a darker side that comes to light when we least expect it ~ for where there is light, there too are shadows.

Debbie Ford, who has written a number of books including Why Good People Do Bad Things, is releasing her first docudrama called The Shadow Effect tomorrow. I'm thrilled to have learned of it as I think she is brilliant. Even my sister's and my all-time favorite singer, Alanis Morissette, has benefited from Debbie's wisdom. According to the Summer 2007 issue of Balance magazine, Alanis states:

"Through Debbie Ford’s shadow work, I learned that it’s through working with the shadow part of ourselves that those challenging things pull us toward becoming who we are today.”

Thanks to Debbie, we've got cool songs to sing our hearts out through Alanis' interpretations of life as a shadow dance (my sister and I personally thank you, Ms. Ford!). May we all bask in the warmth of the light as we embrace all sides of ourselves ~ the good, the bad, and the ugly.

[Slow News] Wednesday Wisdom – No Nonsense Makes Sense http://ping.fm/1HV4p

Sunshine in a Dark World

The sun has gone on vacation ~ elsewhere. So I got to thinking. Maybe I could create a little sunshine in people's lives even if our galaxy's biggest star has decided to permanently cover herself in clouds.

And so I did.

Starting today I'll be doing an audio series on my PowerofSlow blog entitled Wednesday Wisdom. They are one-minute verbal responses from real people like you. The current topic is finding time to do what you love. You can find out more information here.

If you want to participate, email me and I can send you the details. Here's to sunshine in all corners of the world!

[Slow News] Introducing the Wednesday Wisdom Audio Series http://ping.fm/SYVwS