Jane: For I Love Myself
I didn’t realize that I was “in training” for something else! I thought I was just learning to be a better actor. I thought I was just a student of characters and scripts. I didn’t see the bigger picture that was developing out of my conscious attention.
I began to coach “real people” who were facing litigation. Applying what I knew about authentic, deliberate communication was exhilarating. I taught them how to look at the situation the way I would a script: what is the “story” here? Who is the “hero” and the “villain” of the story? How do you get through emotional barriers so you can tell your story authentically?
I loved that work, but didn’t do well with the energy of the person I worked for. Even so, I got a great gift from the experience. From this person, I began to understand the destructive nature of coaching out of failure, versus coaching from a position of empowerment. At the same time, I started noticing sudden “insights” into the people I was working with. I know that my intuitive gift to help people came through only when I operated out of love.
Soon I began to coach people who were giving speeches. I no longer worked for my original employer. I kept acting and became a “brand name” in the Washington DC area. But more and more, I was pulled to coach individuals outside the theatre. I was lucky enough to work with Dr. Daniel Goleman, as he prepared for a PBS special. I learned that there were biological reasons supporting what I was coaching, and my method of coaching.
By 2004, I decided to take a break from the stage and “remember” what I once loved about it. I started turning down theatre work, but continued to earn money through commercials, film and TV work. I felt guilty about this choice, knowing how many other people would have given anything to be in my position. I kept trying to go back. It was only because it made me physically ill to think about going back into the rehearsal room that I finally gave up and gave in to what was next – whatever that was.
I had no idea what I was to do or why I was in this lost period. Finally, I began to honor a pull I felt toward studying energy. I kept getting pulled toward something called “reiki” – though I had no idea at the time what it was. Reiki was where I learned that my work needed to come THROUGH me – rather than BE me.
I also studied other energy empowerment techniques, and slowly began to apply them with people in the business world. When I realized I was turning down commercial work because it conflicted with Washington National’s baseball games, I knew it was time to turn in my union cards and face the facts: what I once loved was not what I loved now.
Today, I have a healthy business sharing public presentation and energy skills with executives, sales people, performers and athletes. I help them see how much they know, innately, and can count on to transform themselves and their audiences. I no longer cloak the energy work as something “wacky that actors do.” I am about to become a Certified Energy Health Practitioner, by the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology.
Two things really helped me get out of my own way and become who I am today. First, I finally listened to and followed my heart. Second, I allowed myself to trust and count on the energies of others who saw the light in me, which lead me out of the darkness I created for myself. Both were powered by self-love.
All those thousands of hours in rehearsals and performance, tracking energy, helped me do what I do – and love – today. But so did being willing to listen to the quiet voice within (and I will be the first to tell you I wasn’t a patient listener!). I empowered myself by living one of the messages I share with you here:
RIGHT NOW, you have all that you need to be a raging success. When you release the combined energies of your body, mind and spirit, and move out the barriers that get in your way, you shine a light on all that you want to do and be.
You already have all that you need. That you are looking at this web site is a demonstration that part of you knows that. Good luck on your search to uncover your best and TRUE self, and shine a light on who you really are.
To find out more information about Jane and the services she offers contact her by: email JaneBeard@InVisibleLight.com; phone 301-384-6820; or visit www.InVisibleLight.com.
