Welcome to Stoic Snippets,
The track that is short in length but not in depth.
Now in my work as a stuntman and my career in TV and film I've occupied the full spectrum of roles and importance,
All the way from a lowly extra to being cast as an actor in an Indiana Jones film.
I've also done everything in between by the way,
A dead body here and there floating in some water,
A hand double for Channing Tatum and even a face for an actress to slap as a rehearsal.
Oh and I must mention unemployed,
Many many times.
What is crazy is that depending on what role I have on a film set,
I get treated very differently.
Indiana Jones is a great example.
You see,
For some of the film I was an actor and on other days I'd come in and I was just a stunt guy.
So the days I came in as my character,
Gunther,
I would get all the top treatment.
Drinks brought to me,
Warm jacket provided,
Thrown over my shoulder in between takes.
Are you okay?
Can we get you something?
I was even given my own room to relax in,
In between takes.
But then,
On the days I was not an actor and I came in,
The same crew members who were looking after me the day before wouldn't even say hello.
As the expression goes,
That's showbiz.
And it really,
Really is as bad as that.
Now,
Here is the stoic connection.
Epictetus had this analogy in his writing.
Life is like a play.
You don't get to choose your role.
You don't get to choose its length.
Your job is simply to play your part well.
Each one of the roles I've described,
By the way,
Was thrust upon me.
Even the Indiana Jones cast job.
I didn't even audition for that.
It was literally given to me on the spot.
I had very little control over what was being asked of me from day to day and that's still the case now when I go into a film set.
However,
I do and did have control over how well I played my part.
Even the dead body.
I could control showing up on time,
Being polite to hair and makeup,
Taking my work seriously and doing a good job,
Whatever that is.
Now,
If I tied the strength of my work and the satisfaction of my work to how I was treated,
Well,
I would really be happy at work.
Maybe that's why so many actors aren't happy.
But true professionalism,
True integrity is getting on with your job and your duty regardless of external validation.
The joy is the work.
Now,
This applies to life outside of TV and film too.
My role as a dad does not have an entourage or people applauding me when I change a nappy.
I don't get an Oscar when I've sung if you're happy and you know it a hundred times during dinner.
If I only did it for the plaudits,
I would be sorely disappointed and would probably give up by now.
Then when I leave my son nursery and tackle my work for the day,
There is no high five for each sentence I write for you.
There is no rewards for how long I spend really thinking about what I'm going to say and editing these pieces.
I have to find the rewards internally.
I have to really enjoy the work.
I have to enjoy my role.
Otherwise,
It would not get done and I would be miserable.
Alex Ramosi has a great quote,
The work works on you harder than you work on it.
Just let that settle for a moment.
The work works on you harder than you work on it.
When I make this offering for you,
This meditation,
This talk,
I am changed forever.
I'm exponentially better off having done it.
I get a massive return on investment for my time.
I get to think about these things in detail.
I get to think about life and all it has and I also get to help other people.
My point being,
Enjoy your work.
Enjoy the role you play.
Not for the applause,
But for the privilege of doing it and being part of this theatre of life.
All right,
Go out there,
Play your role and play it well.
Good luck out there.
