At the risk of sounding like someone who says, “When I was a child, we….” I am amazed that kids around here get the whole week of Thanksgiving off.
And here we go: When I was a child we went to school on Monday, Tuesday, and a half day on Wednesday.
Isn’t the more lengthy Christmas vacation right around the corner? Plus, we live in an area of the country where there are lots, and I mean lots, of unexpected snow days. If there are too many of them, additional days in the classroom are scheduled at the end of the school year. So why do they need this whole week off?
Ummm….probably none of my business. (Whoops. I just saw a school bus. Maybe they have school only today? I’m confused.)
Don’t get me started on our unbelievably high school taxes. That’s a post in itself.
This happened the other day. I love it when clouds are tinged with the colors of the sunset.
Time for the Getting Out of The Way Story (for lack of a better title.)
Most professional actors have an agent. That agent submits the actor for auditions, handles contract negotiations, and gets a percentage of whatever the actor earns for a job. It’s virtually impossible to find work in NYC without an agent. Don, who has been acting professionally since he was 20, has had numerous agents over the course of his career.
For the past few years he has been working with a particular agent. At first, this agent rubbed Don the wrong way. They didn’t ‘get’ each other. One day, they had a long talk which changed everything and they’ve had a fairly good professional relationship ever since.
Side note: I’ve often thought this agency wasn’t aggressive enough on Don’s behalf and I’ve said as much. And Don has felt somewhat the same way – lots of theater auditions but far fewer film auditions and Don really loves working in film and would like to have the opportunity to do more of it.
On the day that Our Town closed in New Haven, I arrive at the theater in time to share in a toast with the actors, crew, and director. After we pack up the car and are on our way home, Don says that one of the actors in the play has just mentioned to him that his agent saw the show and asked about Don’s ‘situation,’ which is agent-speak for “Is he represented by another agent and I’m interested in him.”
This particular agent runs her own respected and well-known agency. So, interest on her part is a very positive thing and Don, who is feeling a bit restless, wonders if he should set up a meeting with the agent. I vote for doing that very thing because sometimes an actor needs someone who sees him with fresh eyes.
We get home. Don checks his email, where he finds a letter from the man who owns the agency he is currently represented by. The letter says that after 40+ years of running his agency, he is retiring and closing the business at the end of the year.
What??
The owner goes on to tell the actors that they will be contacted by their individual agents with more information.
Okay. So now we’re thinking that it is extremely fortuitous that this other agent expressed interest in Don. Don writes the actor and asks for the agent’s name, etc., and asks if the actor could put in a good word for him. It’s the weekend, so Don doesn’t hear from him immediately.
Let me insert here that finding a new agent is never easy. It’s a real challenge. And when you’re an older actor, it’s even harder.
But Don isn’t panicked. He’s remarkably calm. He decides not to worry about it and trust the outcome. (That’s something we’ve been saying rather frequently around here lately.)
Don writes his agent because he’s worried about him. Will the agent be out of work? What will happen to him? He gets a lovely response from the agent saying not to panic, that Don will be taken care of, that there are plans afoot but he can’t say anything about them yet. In a follow-up email, the agent (Ron) says something hinting that he and another agent (Kym) have something in the works.
Okay.
Over the course of the next few days, while waiting to hear from his friend about the other agency, Don mulls over the whole thing and, because Don is who he is, decides that no matter what potential opportunity he has with another agency, he is going to stick with his current agent, even though the other agency looks like it could be a better and more exciting fit.
He’s loyal that way. He doesn’t know what will happen but he trusts that it will all work out for the best.
In the meantime, Don hears from his friend who has given a glowing recommendation to his agent.
Fast forward a few days. Don is upstairs copying some pages for an audition. He calls out to me, “Wait ’til you hear this!”
He comes into the den to read me an email from Kym (who I mentioned earlier.) In this email, Kym announces that she has entered into a contract with another agency, which means she’ll be bringing some actors that are represented by the soon-to-be defunct agency along with her. But only some. During the course of negotiations, she and the agency owner have gone over a list of actors and have decided who will be brought into the new agency.
Don is one of them.
The agency? The same one that Don was tempted to set up a meeting with, but decided not to out of loyalty to his old agent.
The agent who had just seen Don onstage in Our Town and expressed interest in him is the owner of the new agency.
Timing? Serendipity?
The Universe, God, a Higher Power…whatever you want to call it…moved everything into place and engineered an outcome we couldn’t have imagined. The best possible outcome for everyone’s good. (Don’s agent is taking this opportunity to retire, so the outcome for him is good as well.)
Getting out of the way. Surrendering. Knowing that only good will manifest. Trusting the outcome.
It’s sometimes almost impossible for us to trust, to let go, to know that all will be well, believe me.
But we’re getting better at it.
(Did I ever tell you the story of how I got my job at Boston University? Let me know. If I haven’t, I’ll share it with you. Another story about surrendering and trusting the outcome.)
Happy Monday.
“Things will sort themselves out” is something we often say around our house. And they do, sometimes with unexpected results.
All the very best to Don – would love to see him in a lengthy series on PBS every Sunday evening!
Me too, Barbara!
So nice! Such a nice story. I’m like you. Jittery, but trying to trust and leave well enough alone. Congratulations to the max to Don. Hope that this is the start of a lovely relationship. :D
I get in the my own way much of the time. So when I can get out of the way and trust, the results are so much better!
I so enjoyed reading this, Claudia…quite a lesson there.
Thank you, Linda!
OMG, how exciting all of this is! Can’t wait to hear the next installment. Happy Thanksgiving !
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Claudia!
What are the odds!?! That is great news for you. I hope it leads to bigger and better things for Don! Not that what he has done isn’t great.
Me too. It’s just good to know he will continue to have an agent.
Congrats to Don! Good things DO happen to those who wait! Hope to see him, one day, in a play. On my bucket list :) Have a wonderful week and a Happy Thanksgiving! Hugs to Scout :)
Deb
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Deb!
What a super terrific story! We can all learn about patience and letting things sort themselves out from this. I know I have a tendency to want to jump right in and fix things right away, when the best course of action may have been to take a step back and wait it out.
Oh me too! I’m definitely a fixer and I wonder and worry and think about all the possible scenarios much too often!
Good things happen to good people! I too have to remind myself to get out of my own way! Things will work out how they are suppose too! Congrats to Don and I’m ready to see him in film! Enjoy your week!
hugs,
Linda
I’m more than ready to see him in more film work, Linda! Fingers crossed.
That’s just about the best news ever! As soon as no one is looking I am going to dance around the kitchen!
Good!
What an amazing story! I hope this is the beginning of a great relationship with a new agent. Here’s hoping for LOTS of new acting opportunities to come his way!
I hope so. We’re just going to keep on trusting.
Wow, what a story! I don’t think I would have been as calm as Don was while waiting for the outcomes. Definitely serendipitous! Jen
I certainly wasn’t as calm, but then I watched him and just let the whole thing go.
I love that story, Claudia. Sometimes the hardest thing is the simplest.
Absolutely.
What a wonderful story Claudia, and best wishes to Don. I’m a firm believer in things happening for a reason…we don’t always understand or even like the reason, but there is a purpose behind it all. Glad you had such a lovely birthday celebration. Those cupcakes look amazing…..
They were, Vera!
This IS the best news! Trusting to see how things develop is so hard…but it’s so worth it! Congrats to Don….hope we’ll be seeing more of him…like PBS for instance! ;)
Me too, Donna. Thanks so much!
I actually got chills when I read your post about Don. I love it when things seem to just fall into place. Wishing you and Don the best.
Kathleen
Thank you so much, Kathleen!
Tis Kismet! Sprinkled with fairy dust and Angels’ wings. Blessings
Love the way you put that, Lesley. Beautiful!
Serendipity….. one of my most favorite words!! Good things happen to good people. :-)
About the school vaca…….. here we are in school today and tomorrow and off on Wed. However, you probably can’t imagine the number of people who take their children out for the entire week, regardless if there is school or not. Hunting and Thanksgiving gives way to much travel. You know my hubs is a teacher, and it is hard to devote good lesson plans to a classroom that is less than half full. I don’t remember my parents EVER taking us out of school for the reasons we hear today. On Monday mornings many many kids come in late because “we had such a busy weekend, they just wouldn’t get up”……. “we were at a football party all day and they are tired”, “they played in (insert sport here) tournaments all weekend and were exhausted, so we let them sleep in”, “we are going to take the kids up to the waterparks at the Dells for a long weekend”……… the list goes on and on and on. If anyone dare question the parents on attendance issues, the answer is “I know what is best for my family, you don’t”. I won’t even go INTO the number of parents who stop in at school 25 minutes before the end of the day asking to take their kids out. “I was in town and I don’t want to wait.” “What’s the difference, they don’t do anything the last 20 minutes anyway.” I truly do NOT understand so many of the parents today and their attitudes. When parents don’t think school is that important, do you care to guess what those kids are like in class?? OK, rant is done.
Unbelievable! It’s no wonder so many of my teacher friends tell me that teaching isn’t what it used to be – they can’t wait to retire. Your poor husband. And those poor kids!
Claudia,
You and I sound so much alike. I recently printed out a little four word phrase and taped it to the top of my computer screen. It simply says, “Choose faith over worry”. I’m working hard to do just that. I KNOW I will be much happier if I just let go and relax a bit. I’m very happy for you guys. I love it when things work out so beautifully.
I might just steel that four word phrase, Brooke. Thank you so much!
How wonderful Claudia..an amazing story..I also hope he will get more movie and TV work so that I can watch..Best of luck to you Don!
We hope so too, Nancy. Thank you for your kind words!
Great story. I was getting so excited and secure in the thought he was still going to go w/the old agency and see what unfolded. You guys must be dancing around all over that cottage! Going to be a great year!
Fingers crossed, Annette. Or rather, ‘we’re trusting in the outcome!’
Love this story! Isn’t it amazing how life turns out exactly the way we want it to when we just have faith and not worry about “how” it’s going to happen. I’m very happy for you and your husband.
Yes. Worrying about the ‘how’ is a downfall of mine. It’s all about stepping out of the way and letting things unfold.
Fabulous. A good reminder for us all about loyalty. Thanks.
You are most welcome, Sally.
Oh, I forgot. I don’t know about your job at BU. Will you share it with me?
I’ll do it in a future post, Sally. It’s a good story and another instance of getting out of the way.
Great story Claudia, Congratulations to Don. Doris
Thank you, Doris.
Such good news! I know I’m not a patient person and so often step in with decisions and action when I should just back up and wait on God. I am excited the future possibilites for Don and hope this means that we will be seeing him in a lot more. I think he is a phenomenal actor and deserves the opportunity.
I hope so too. At least there might be more possibilities for him.
In my youth, I used to call instances such as this pure coincidence…now that I am older, I realize there are no real coincidences in this life. Things all happen for a reason…I tend to believe the universe is watching over us all and things fall into place as they are meant to. All the worrying and pacing in the world will not change the outcome of a situation. Of course, this is my own opinion and I would never fault anyone for not agreeing with me. How very exciting to have a fresh new outlook for the end of the year and the beginning of the upcoming new year.
Thank you, Jeannine!
Wow Claudia that is amazing! I do believe the universe will take care of us when our heart is in the right place and we are open to giving it a chance as Don is. I love stories like this, so will wait patiently for your story. I didn’t know Don was an actor, will have to check his site out. Have a lovely evening.
Was blog hopping among fellow bloggers and yours sparked my interest.. WOW you musta been in my kitchen this evening.. MY HUBSTER and I said the very same things… regarding Thanksgiving vacation vs the one our daughters school district is giving the kids. I have only been out of highschool for 18 years. lol.. You have a wonderful blog here and I am glad I stopped by
Fantastic story. Thanks for sharing it with us. Yay, Don!
What wonderful news! In this time when all we hear is bad news, it is so good to hear someone with good news. Hope everything works out for Don and I really feel it will. I keep thinking about the old saying, “Good things happen to those who wait”. Thank you for sharing.
Don’s story was certainly a nail-biter. Would he, wouldn’t he? Now the nail process is what is in store for him? If I really did chew my nails they would be bitten to the quick. I wish only the best for him.
Getting out of the way is often the hardest thing of all to do, but often brings the best results.
I can’t claim to very good at always letting things be to work out on their own. I get muddled up with how much active interest I need to put into something before I wait for an outcome.
Things couldn’t have worked out more beautifully for Don.
Karen
What a great story about trusting the process and letting go! I needed this reminder. What a great outcome for everyone involved. Getting out of the way isn’t an easy process but when we do……. It’s amazing how things work out for the highest good of everyone involved. I love Don’s loyalty and concern for his agent. Too many folks are self-interested and have no concern how decisions will affect others. I’m a firm believer that when we do the right thing and act with integrity, the universe/god will respond accordingly.