The Heights – An Xperience Column

The Heights – An Xperience Column – by Joe Barna.

Welcome back to your monthly dose of “What is running through Barna’s head?” A place where no topic is off the table, as it relates to a life in the performing arts. In the past, I have talked about upcoming shows, personal experiences, artists I respect, and much more. It has been quite a journey to behold. I’ve deeply enjoyed talking with each of you, and I thank you for your time, feedback, and support.

Before we begin our adventure, I’d like to send out a heartfelt thank you to everyone who took the time to consume last month’s article in regards to moving away from pursuing a full-time career as a live performer. This month’s contribution is a follow-up to that piece. Your support, encouragement, and kindness mean the world to me. It’s nice to know these musings are having a positive effect on those in our Capital Region community and beyond. I’d also like to thank Art Fredette and his entire team for embracing what I have to offer and allowing me to be a part of the Xperience family. It’s been a privilege to work with Xperience and have the platform to present these articles. I look forward to many more years of sharing.

Now … let’s talk about something many of us fear … Turning 50.

Coming up in August, the 23rd to be specific, this old dog right here will reach a milestone. I never believed I had a shot at bearing witness to this, but I’m going to be the big 5-0 … WOW … Yes, folks, I’m going to be 50 years old this summer. But, does that mean I’m old? That I’m done trying new things? Done exploring? Done questioning everything? That I’m no longer relevant to the performing arts scene? On the contrary, the journey is just beginning. There is no more powerful resource than experience. This comes from living a life consistently engaged in trying new things and collecting the lessons present within each unique situation. For me, 50 is a rite of passage earned through constant self evaluation, embracing outside criticism, dissecting our failures, celebrating successes, gaining new friends, terminating old relationships, watching those we love pass on to the next realm, witnessing new lives being born, teaching the lessons we have learned to those in need, being open to learning new lessons ourselves, and overall just having the motivation to keep moving forward. In a sense, turning 50 is a badge of honor that many will never make it far enough to receive. Through the grace of God, I have been able to make it this far, and I have no plans on wasting this opportunity.

So … What now?

Well, after a year off from full-time live performing, being a learning coach this past year at a local educational institution, spending more time with my incredible daughter, getting back on the basketball court, returning to a life of wellness, repairing some relationships, taking a step back from the hamster wheel to process the previous 26 years of a life on the road and looking at what I’ve been able to accomplish to this point, I have come to some meaningful conclusions.

Would you care to know what they are?

Fantastic … I thought you might … Let’s go.

• My life is not an accident. It was designed for me and me alone. The opportunities and talents bestowed upon me come from a higher power, and I will not squander them. However, from this point forward, I will honor them on my terms, not relinquishing my gifts and goals into the hands of anyone other than he who gave them to me.
• Age is not a number. It is merely a barometer to measure the amount of space we have occupied while on our journey in this life. Some will use that space to simply exist, while others will embrace the moment to exhaust themselves in pursuit of complete self-actualization. Which one are you?
• No one thing is more important than another. All that we do and all that we experience hold equal value in shaping the individual we inevitably shall become. Enjoy each day and do not take everything so seriously. It’s not.
• Family are those who demonstrate genuine love and compassion towards you. They are those who share an authentic desire to see you obtain success in all facets of life. Not everyone deserves you, and you do not deserve everyone. Some relationships grow, some whither away like a plant without sunlight, some people are meant to be in your life as a business venture, some are meant to be there to pick you up when life pushes you down, some enter in because a higher power believes you possess the nurturing qualities to bring those individuals hope in times of despair, and many just come and go like passing strangers in the grocery store. And you know what? Every one of these scenarios is perfectly fine. We need a variety of personalities in and out of our lives. It helps us to learn about relationships and the value of time spent with others.
• You’re only as valuable as your mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, and professional health. If you are unwilling to care for yourself, nurture your gifts, explore your potential, or weed out the negative habits that shackle your ability to ascend upwards, then the opportunities you seek will not present themselves. Why? Because you are undeserving of that which you have not earned. The world doesn’t owe you ANYTHING. However, you owe this chance at life EVERYTHING.

Well … I could go on about the conclusions I’ve reached over the past year, but I’m afraid my article will be too long for print.

So, I will leave you with this …

Do not get fixated on age. Rather, embrace the experiences you have collected, put them to good use, and strive to become the person you know in your heart you were always meant to be. Break free of the emotional prison life attempts to incarcerate you within, and go after your goals. Stop sitting around idolizing those who had the courage to pursue what you did not. They are no better than you. Opportunity favors those prepared to receive it. If you have not done the work, then do not expect results.

I’m excited to turn 50 and feel better now than the day I turned 25. My heart is more open to possibility, I’m spiritually healthier, the relationships I keep are genuine, my child inspires me to be a better man with every breath taken, and creatively my professional life is at an all-time high. All this because I had the strength and support in place to take a giant step back and see life through a wider lens.

Was it worth it?

YES

Warmest Regards,

Joe

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