The Lullaby Project. v1

* I'm attempting, today, to speak/think/write/worry about something other than autism. 

Speaking from my heart, I love to sing!

In fact, for a great long part of my life, I aspired for the Broadway stage.  I still do, secretly.  Even if for only a song...

To be enveloped by an orchestra, 

to feel pringly goose pimples on my arms, 

to own it gloriously for three minutes, before I die... 

That's dream #1 on my list!

(Aside from a happy, healthy family.)

So, I've set a few personal goals (first mentioned here), and they are:

1. To sing more.  (duh)
2. To get in a professional recording studio.
3. To put the dream out there.

To give it a relevant twist though, I plan on recording Aksel's lullabies, acapella.  Or rather, the songs he's most-loved since birth.

And I'm gonna call it, The Lullaby Project.

(I'm also gonna share it here, as I go along.)

What are your dreams?  I'd love to know...

List Lady List

Given the title, one could assume that I like (of all things) lists.

If you did, kudos, because you are right!  I love:

• Compiling lists
• Revising/crossing things off lists
• Completing lists

Sounds nerdy, right?  But it helps so much.  

For instance, I recently compiled a small list of goals here.  And since its creation, I've been brainstorming, aflutter with ideas.

(I will be touching on the status of these goals very soon.)

Anyhow, the list has given me a sense of purpose.  Dare I say, focus?

Some of my old notebooks chock-full of lists.

If you don't already, I recommend periodically writing a list of goals. And keep in mind, when constructing said lists, everything is within reach.  Figuratively speaking, we are the captains of our own ships.

To take it a step further, a wise man once sang (in the late 90's):

If I can see it, then I can do it

If I just believe it, there's nothing to it

So now that I've inspired you (ha ha), I'll have you know... I also love an ordinary to-do list.  In fact, I try to start each day by writing one.

What about you?

Looking for a notepad or organizer?  I love these:

LEFT TO RIGHT:  ONE, TWO

The Last Twenty Before Thirty

I'm down to my last twenty, and wondering... how will I spend it?

And I'm not talkin' money.  I'm talkin' age, folks.

Basically, I want - 29 - to count, to really mean something.  So, I'm thinking hard, and putting a list (of goals) together.

But it's not all clear... just yet.  It's just a good time to be proactive.

Nonetheless, here's the first few 'to-dos' in a list I've aptly titled:

The Last Twenty Before Thirty

1. Donate my time to charities I believe in.
2. Sing more.
3. Judge less.  Accept situations for what they are.  People, too.

* Note:  I will elaborate on each goal in separate posts this week.

Now, do you have a list of specific goals you'd like to accomplish in coming months?  Don't know, and wanna think on it?  Perhaps write about it?  If so, look for this series - The Last Twenty Before Thirty - and consider joining me on my quest for meaning and fulfillment.

FYI:  I'm hosting a link-up next time.  So, get started.

Oscar Mania!

I have Oscar mania, and I can't wait for tonight's award ceremonies!

Like most performing hopefuls, I've long-envisioned attending the illustrious event. To take it one step further, I've imagined accepting my statue, too.

Yeah, right?! Ha! We can always dream though...

In the meantime, I'll stick with just being an extra, but tomorrow's 5:30 am call-time is early. So, here's hoping Hathaway and Franco don't run over. I need my beauty rest!

PS - Look for my "nosey neighbor" (think Gladys Kravitz) window-scene next Sunday, March 6 at 9 pm on Lifetime's Army Wives.

PPS - Fingers-crossed the camera doesn't really add 10 pounds!

It's a GRAY Day!

It's a GRAY day to dream, and I have one to share...

I want, for a period of my life, whether it's a week or ten, to live in the United Kingdom.  Preferably, in the countryside.  Maybe on a hill? 

To write, of course.

Again, I realize its impracticality, seeing as I have a young family of men, but that's no excuse for me not to put it out there.  To fear.

It could happen! 

For one, my husband loves Guinness and golf and football, too!

"What's the pull?" you ask.

I'm not really sure...

From the cliffs of Dover to the windy reaches of St. Andrews, I've traveled, and there's just something about the place I love.

Maybe it goes back to the romantic girl in me, and I'm fantasizing about Cathy and Heathcliff, and heather on the moors.

Or perhaps, it's the lure and magic of a hidden garden described so perfect on the pages of Burnett's classic.

Who knows?

I could go on, and say it's the sad spirit of Tess, the sass of Miss Bennett, or ol' plain Jane Eyre, but I'm not certain?

Whatever it is, I connect. 

My dreaming mind comes to life when the skies are GRAY.

PS - Have a GRAY weekend!

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Don't Burst My Bubble!

I'm a dreamer, always have been.  I look at my baby boy, who's fast changing day by day, and I wonder what he'll do? 

I wonder what he'll like and enjoy?  Will he play the piano?  Will he play chess?  Will he kick a ball, or swing a bat?

Aksel, will you be a lil' slugger like your daddy before you?  Whatever you do, we won't burst your bubble... (SEE PICTURE BELOW RIGHT)

We'll support and encourage your talents.  In the meantime, I'm excited!  Dream BIG, little bug!

PS.  Expect to inherit shoe boxes (pl.) filled with baseball cards...

Daddy's Baseball Favorites:

The Natural

  

The Sandlot

 

Big League Chew, Outta' Here Original Bubble Gum

Since I Gave Birth to my Boy and Blog...

I really believe if you put it out there, if you express your desires, wishes, and goals -- the universe will comply and graciously send positive things your way.

Yes, this sounds eerily similar to Paolo Coelho's The Alchemist, but really it's true!  By the way, if you've not yet read The Alchemist, I highly recommend snagging a copy.  It's easy-to-read, and short!  If you're a mommy, like myself, and your time is limited, this is a manageable book-undertaking.


A FEW COELHO QUOTES:

It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.

It's the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary.

To realize one's destiny is a person's only real obligation.

Let me say, I would LOVE for you all to click happily away on the above link.  I wish-n-want to build my mommy empire one Amazon purchase after the next, but really... if there's a deal, or an opportunity I can share, to better make available the products that I endorse, I'm going to opt for that instead.

If you would like to purchase your copy of The Alchemist via Baby Talk without the Babble, I'm certainly not going to stop you, but I did download a FREE version of the book at iTunes a year or so ago.

I recommend this book because the power of Dreams, and the act of accomplishing them, fascinates me.  I believe, wholeheartedly, in the idea of a person having a destiny, of one being in control of their fate, et cetera.  More important, how this applies to today's entry? 

Over the course of the last few months, since I gave birth to my boy & blog, I've made a concerted effort to verbalize my dreams.  In turn, I have (1) met spirited people with passion and drive, have (2) been given great, life-enhancing opportunites to accomplish personal goals, and have (3) gone to work on banishing my own set of nagging insecurities.

A week and some ago, for example, I was offered a unique opportunity.  I received an email from a Babble follower/ Mutual of Omaha employee asking if I might be willing to share a personal aha moment in the life of yours truly.  As you well know, if you've been reading all along, I've had a number of such moments as very recent as last week!

I'm forever experiencing enlightenment, concentrating my attention, and going duh?

Without further ado, I jumped at the chance to share my most significant aha moment on film, which I apologize, I did not clearly explain!  Mutual of Omaha, with a state-of-the-art Airstream trailor, has set out on a nationwide tour to capture, on film, people's life-altering moments of clarity.

http://www.ahamoment.com/

The problem for me, wasn't whether or not I've experienced such a thing?  It was really a matter of focus, of honing in on what was most resounding, personally.  Hmmm?

After a week of little thought, it came to me.  In deciding, I knew (1) my special moment would show itself naturally, (2) if I forced something, or stressed myself to create a moment, it would surely feel disingenuous, and lastly (3) the more specific, the better. 

I was certain my moment would center around Aksel, motherhood, and the creative blog journey I've recently embarked on.  Then, like a bolt of thunder on stormy summer night, it hit me!  The aha was just this --

TO BE BLOG CONTINUED...

FYI:  I always wanted a motorhome when I was a kid!  I dreamt about a luxury cruiser, and loved the film below --

The Long, Long Trailer

A Mark off Momma's Bucket List.

My child forces me to live in the moment. 

Aksel inspires me to live without apologizing, without shame, without regret.  I seem now to listen to my instincts, and honestly... I'm a better person because I AM A MOTHER!

I no longer have the TIME to think about, judge, question, or fear my impulses.  Rather, I'm being.  I'm busy doing.  I'm 100% present, and I'm finally living in the moment.

How this relates to today's entry you might ask? 

Here goes...

My whole life, I've wanted to perform. I've dreamt of being on stage, of being in a film, or being simply, unafraid to express my true self.

With this being said, I've had my fair share of training.  I've studied method acting in New York.   I've passed long hours engaged in sense memory.  I've read the books.  I've watched the classics.   Basically, I've devoted much of my life to the art of emoting, but I've had something holding me back. 

What?  I don't know exactly, but I self-edited, manipulated my emotions, and was petrified to be vulnerable.  I was too aware, and I didn't honestly react in the moment.

(For all ye thespians, an insightful read: Respect for Acting)

I've come to this simple conclusion...

There is, in my opinion, no greater training for life, acting, and spontaneity than motherhood! 

My child, and the great love I hold for him, has centered me like nothing else!

Speaking for myself, I've stopped clinging to the past - to all the negative things that happened to me, or the setbacks I encountered in my life. 

I guess you could say I'm not as selfish!

I'm also no longer dreaming about the future.  I'm so HAPPY with right-this-minute, I have no need to fantasize!  I'm living the dream!

Really though, I woke up one day not long ago, and my agenda was different.  It was, and is rather, about living in the now, about not being afraid to grab happiness -- all in order to create a beginning and life for my little bug, Aksel!

With that having been said, we accomplished together a dream I've always had, and I can now mark it off the do-before-I-die list (aka Momma's Bucket List)!

We were, for a day, a background mother & ailing child in the upcoming independent film, Little Red Wagon.  It was a pleasure to work with, and observe closely, the many talented individuals that make cinematic magic happen.

By the way, Frances O'Connor is ethereal in person!

From here though, the sky seems to really be the limit!

FYI:  Director David Anspaugh complimented my chill baby, and called him a little movie star!  I'm slightly biased, but my five-month-old is quite the professional!

Our Day on the Set.

_________________________________________________________

I, Gillian Mulligan, must accomplish the following before I die:

• Act/participate in a film.
• Perform on Broadway.
• Live intentionally.
• Love wholeheartedly.
• Help those in need.
• Travel the world.
• Sing my child to sleep.
• Write about it all.

_________________________________________________________

An O'Connor classic...

Mansfield Park (1999)

A few Anspaugh favorites...

Rudy (Special Edition)

Hoosiers

P.S. -- Look for me in episode #14 of this current season of Lifetime's Army Wives!