Ten years in a place without heat.

Six years in a job I felt stuck in.

Maybe I was afraid of change.

Are you?

When I was 29, I told myself, the next acting job I get, no matter what it pays, I will from now on, for better or worse, be a working actor.

And now I didn't have either the internet or a cell phone or a job.

But something good happened.

I got a low-paying theater job in a play called imperfect love, which led to a film called 13 moons with the same writer.

Which led to other roles, which led to other roles.

And I've worked as an actor ever since.

I didn't know that would happen.

At 29, walking away from data processing, I was terrified.

But this made me very hungry, literally.

I couldn't be lazy.

Now I tell this story because the world might say you are not allowed to yet.

Please, don't even bother asking.

Don't bother telling the world you are ready.

Show it, do it.

Trust me, the rhythm sets in.

Just try not to wait until like me, you're 29 before you find it.

And if you are, that's fine too.

Some of us will never find it, but you will.

I promise you.

Raise the rest of your life to meet you.

Don't search for defining moments, because they will never come.

The moments that define you have already happened, and they will already happen again.

Don't wait until they tell you, you are ready.

Get in there.

I waited a long time out in the world before I gave myself permission to fail.

What did Beckett say?

Ever tried, ever failed.

No matter, try again, fail again, fail better.

The world is yours.

Treat everyone kindly and light up the night.