The Hallmark of Possibility

It is rare that I come to the screen to write and know that any words, metaphors, jokes, imagery I choose will not be sufficient to depict my feelings.

This is one of those times.

Recently, I made a decision that was life-altering. I want stability and being a working actor is not a career that affords such a thing. So, I started looking at other viable career options landing on the Hallmark Creative Division (not literally - ha), desiring stability coupled with passion and creativity.

I know little to nothing about this career plan but I know that it excited me and seemed to be something that was a good "fit".

To have a palpable career plan and goal, to know that I would be working in this city (Kansas City), that I can do A and B to get to C is something I have never known nor have I ever thought would be a part of my life.

This week I have been doing research about the company, the Creative Division, those who work for the writing team, and planning a visit to Hallmark and Kansas City on my Spring Break in March.

In my research I found some quotes that stirred me to tears. There I was, in the UALR Computer Lab tearing up, finding people that were like me, that were not actors, not living the life I thought I might lead, but living a life that takes me down the new path. It filled me with such promise and made me less afraid of starting anew.

I wanted to share these quotes with you, in the hopes that you might enjoy them, you might find some humour/comfort in them, and that it might illuminate why I am researching this viable career and why I love the company they call Hallmark:

(The first is a card from Suzanne Berry, Writer for Multiple occasions)

"Outside, the body may falter. But inside, a spirit brilliant with strength and resilience shines on... and on... and on. No matter what life hands you, your strong spirit will see you through. Keep believing in it... I do."

(Lovely, simple, true I believe.)

When asked "What inspires you?", Andre du Broc, Editor for Humor cards writes, "I draw a lot of strength from observing how people cope. At the end of the day, life is a struggle. How we deal with that struggle shapes us as parents, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, etc... People ask me where I got my sense of humor. I tell them that I grew up gay in an all-boys Catholic high school in Southern Louisiana and I didn't know Karate. I dealt with my struggle with humor."

(I love this idea, relate to it on a number of levels, and adore the fact that he mentions he is gay as though it is akin to eye colour or handedness, that this company shares this information prominently, thus letting me know they do not think such things make us different at all. Yay for Hallmark indeed.)

He had two more quotes I liked. When asked, "What makes you cry?", he answered, "The naked truth can make me cry. When someone talks about the loss of a loved one and speaks less about the loss and more about the love, there is tremendous truth in that simplicity and I totally lose it."

(Amen. Amen. Yes. Been. There. Will. Always. Be.)

And lastly, when asked "Why do you do what you do", his last two sentences made me cry and spoke to me: "A human life is often defined by moments. Births, deaths, celebrations, and challenges - I like to think that the work Hallmark does in some small way helps to honor those moments and make them special. I am glad to be part of that mission."

(That is what I want to do, I understand.)

I hope that you are as moved by this as I am, or at least that you see why it is that I am considering this.

Ironically enough, tonight a director at school asked me about my ideas about a career, I shared my Hallmark ideas and that I also am looking at children's theatre opportunities and she shared some of her story and grad programs dealing with this, amazing theatres to investigate, etc.

So, I am going to explore that as well. It never hurts to put myriad plans into motion and see which one takes flight, this I have learned.

And - I just got hired to work at a delightful Hallmark store. Of all the retail places I have worked, Hallmark has BY FAR been my favourite. I just have to make sure that I don't spend the paycheck on cards and Hoops and Yoyo products... if you do not know these beloved characters, look them up. They make me giggle, they do.

I can just see it now, I can't pay my rent, but I have cards for the next three years.

Ah, life is good. And I never thought that I would have a palpable career path but brimming with creativity and the Muse. I so look forward to my jaunt to Kansas City and The Hallmark Visitor's Center.

Thanks for reading and letting me continue to share my journey journals, I so love doing that with you.

Overwhelmed by possibility,
Dustin

PSfp (It has been a bit since I wrote that so for you newcomers or short-term memory loss peeps, it means Postscript for Poppets): My pictures are of the gay marriage card line that Hallmark introduced (Go Hallmark) and of the aforementioned Hoops and Yoyo. Enjoy.