Sunday 27 July 2014

Blessings & Blows










Blessings & Blows


Life is chock-full of them.


And they can tip our 'scales' on any given day.


The approval  /  The disapproval


The acceptance  /  The rejection


The inclusivity  /  The exclusivity


The wins / The losses


When we experience the highs, the lows, the blessings and the blows


..how we choose to respond, is going to make all the difference in the world -


…and keep ‘our scales’ in balance.








How do you keep your 'scales' balanced?



I value you + your views, so let's communicate!



PS: Yay! Summer vacation. Boo-hoo - No Sunday Sidelines on August 3rd. Yay! Back again on August 10th!







Sunday 20 July 2014

Express Yourself







Expressing yourself can be…


scary, but liberating;

revealing, but honest;

intimidating, but beneficial;

peculiar, but original;

self-indulgent, but well-meaning

unconventional, but therapeutic;

risky, but worth it.


There’s an imaginative and inspiring Creative hiding inside of you.

So,  express yourself!



Charles Wright: Express Yourself


PS: Free smiles + virtual hugs to every reader!



What are some of the ways you express yourself?



I value you  + your views, so let's communicate!






Sunday 13 July 2014

Fanned Into Flame




Fanned Into Flame








It’s there.

In each of us.

The unique gift we were given.

The spark that waits to be fanned into flame.


So, fan it on:

 Monday, Tuesday

Wednesday, Thursday

Friday, Saturday

...and Sunday.


Because you were meant to burn brightly every day.


"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us."

Albert Schweitzer








Who fans the flame within you?



I value you + your views, so let's communicate!








Sunday 6 July 2014

In-Genie-ous

I honestly love giving credit where credit is due and I’m spoiled for choice in the Voice Over community. There’s a whole lot of credible, talented and prolific Creatives inside of it. One such guy is John Lano. (He's the 'genie' of voiceovergenie.com. And who doesn’t want to befriend and big-up a genie, right?) His blogs are always a treat, especially his: 28 Veteran Voice Actors Give Brutally Honest Advice To Their Former Noobie VO Selves. Not only was it an ingenious topic, but it was such an interesting read. So, even though it’s long overdue, John’s getting an enthusiastic Debby Barnes Voice-Over Rah-Rah! (…alongside all the others that contributed to his blog.)

So, for readers who relish true personal stories, (…of which I am one) John’s blog has us chomping-at-the-bit right out-of the gate. He asks us to: “Pretend you are this person as you read it.” Clever. And in my humble opinion, the story is classic, especially to any newbie Voice Over Talent. (And I actually think it would work quite well as a comedy sketch.)

The person who’s true story he showcases, is the lovely Michelle Falanga. And she’s the first to offer us the advice she would have given her VO newbie self. It’s precious. (…quoting her now would give too much away.)

John then decides to ask other “… seasoned voice actors to share 1 piece of advice they would like to tell their former noobie voice actor selves.” He then goes on to write: ‘Whether you’re a seasoned pro or brand new to the field, you’ve gotta read their “Honest Abe”-like advice.’ He’s right.

Out of his notable list of 28 I had a tough time choosing my favourites, but in the end I had to go with: 2, 3, 8, 9, 13, 24 and 27. ALL of the gracious contributions deserved 5 stars. And each one is guaranteed to speak to each of us differently. (I confess to reading it twice, myself.)

An in-Genie-ous blog, John. Rah-Rah!




Blog Link:  John's Blog 

John Lano's Website:  www.voiceovergenie.com



So what do you think? Share your thoughts below!



www.debbybarnes.com