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Letter To Anonymous

by Mario A. Campanaro

Letter to Anonymous

by Mario A. Campanaro

I received a very touching hand-written letter from an actor. There was no name or return address. It was just signed "Anonymous." The letter shared about the many hardships and heartbreaks of being an actor. Of being an artist. Especially today. His/Her/Their letter was very honest, raw, and vulnerable. I wanted to respond with the hopes that this will reach you and any other actors/artists that can relate. You are not alone.

Dear Anonymous,

Never forget that you profoundly matter. You and your art make a huge difference in the world. That’s the absolute truth! I know it’s tough, but don’t give up. Keep getting up. Life will always be throwing curve balls at us. But we have a choice to make in those pregnant moments—do we allow those circumstances to be the thing that destroys us and causes us to crumble? Or do we allow those circumstances to awaken us—to not give up, to not give in, but to bring a perseverance in us that we did not know we have? To open the door to a determination to better who we are, and then use that growth and awareness toward helping the collective in one form or another.

Let’s be honest. Much of life has taught us—at one time or another—that our most profound growth happens when there is usually some unmentionable unexpected stimulus that initiates the inevitable dive into the discovery of truth within oneself. This usually, and unfortunately, knocks on our life’s door as some type of immense strife or intense obstacle. This can be a long, painful journey. But without fail, those growing pains strengthen our inner constitution and begin to put the puzzle pieces of our own connection to the continuous learning of truth in who we are and where we come from.

Yes, it hurts at times. It hurts so bad at times. But it’s good. I hate to say it, but it is true: the more difficult the journey, the stronger we become. So when those dark hours sneak in, it is worthy to greet them with gentle gratitude. Those circumstances are holding your hand and walking you straight to your very own awakening, your own glorious metamorphosis, and your inspiration for creation.

You see, dear artist, what we are usually not taught is that we are indeed light workers. We are able to see things that many do not want to see. We are able to feel things that many are not willing to feel. And we are able to bring an awareness to people through our glorious art form that greatly helps shift the consciousness toward a better tomorrow. And that is a wonderful gift to bring to the world.

But you have to persevere—even when it may make sense not to persevere. You cannot be scared or shy away from the discomfort. You cannot hang back from the responsibility. You have to find comfort in the discomfort and use that love and passion that lives within as the gasoline to keep going. You, dear actor, have to know that you, your talents, your experience, and your voice matter and are worthy of being witnessed. You have to continue to be brave enough—despite all that may be going on around you—to trust yourself enough to let go of resistance and keep on going.

Allow yourself to have your feelings. Experience authentic experiences. Take it moment by unknown moment and continue on in your artistic pursuit. Most want to wait. But you can’t wait as an actor. It is now. It is needed and necessary—right here, right now. You are so crucial to the pregnant life of this very complex moment in time. It’s our job to live the most profound private essence of the human condition publicly as it relates to all of the world's most complex stories.

You will find a way. Trust that it is all there within you. Listen to your heart, and the muse will guide the way. You are more than enough. You have an obligation to hold the light in the darkest of storms. You have a duty to be strong in times of weakness. You have to use your magnificent creative energy to be the thing that echoes loud enough to hold the torch, connecting one another, and share all the universal stories and truths of the human condition—never leaving anyone out.

You are more than you are told. And you are more important than you get credit. You have to start believing in your most profound truth and the incredible influence that your gifts have that truly make a difference in our world. You must start fully trusting yourself. You have to rise to the bigness of your calling. You have to rise to the occasion. And you have to continue to care. Even in those moments when caring feels too much, you have to continue to care.

You have to use the enormous energy that lives within you to transform time and space—to do good, to do your work, to help, and let it reach those it is meant to reach. You have to be the truth teller (liver) of humanity.

If not you, dear actor, then who?

With Much Love & Creative Light,

Mario A. Campanaro
Master Teacher
MC² Actors Studio
Los Angeles | New York City | London