Drew and I watched the third Austin Powers movie again over the weekend. I had forgotten that John Travolta had cameo at the end of the movie, and I was reminded about an amazing part of Travolta’s story that proves to me once more that

things happen for a reason.

To quote Wayne Dyer:

All things are happening as they should,
and the Universe is acting in complete synchronicity.You may not know or don’t remember that John Travolta had a hit album in the 70s. The only song that I can remember was called Let Her In. When Travolta was a guest on Oprah’s show a few years ago, he said that someone heard his song and knew he was on TV with Welcome Back Kotter, and that’s how he got cast for Grease (in my view, Travolta’s role of a lifetime #2 after Saturday Night Fever). He said that

all moments have importance

(my emphasis) because a kid named Quentin Tarantino grew up watching Grease and decided that he wouldn’t make Pulp Fiction (Travolta’s role of a lifetime #3, not that I personally liked the movie) without the guy who starred in Grease. Even Travolta said how he can see events building on each other. On another day, I will share a detailed story about my studio that illustrates how events built on each other and were guided by intuitive decisions.

I think his story also demonstrates that you have to keep doing what you believe in doing. If you keep putting yourself, your work, your talent and your ambition out in the Universe, it will come back to you in ways that you couldn’t even imagine, and your future will better than you dreamed possible. Travolta certainly made some bad films in between Grease and Pulp Fiction. He didn’t let the negative opinion of many critics stop him. I think many people thought his career was over by the time Pulp Fiction came out. Since then, he’s been in some fabulous movies and seems to be getting even better. I think even he would be surprised by the success and acclaim he has achieved.

Keep taking those classes, doing the auditions, making contacts…. Do something everyday to advance your career. It all will come back to you. If you must work another job and feel frustrated by that fact, just keep reminding yourself why you are there and choose instead to feel gratitude for the many blessings it provides you. I have a friend who says:

You don’t go on safari without having a base camp.
The base camp has to be funded, stocked and operational in order to have a successful safari.Your other job is providing the basis for your base camp, and your voice-over career is the grand adventure known as the safari! Remember — you don’t have to risk everything just to get what you want. Live in the moment, and know that every moment has meaning!