Living Life in Standby
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Living Life in Standby

Living Life in Standby

What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done? 

That question gets you thinking about your life: was it something you did as a teen or young adult?

I can say my most spontaneous self is me right now. It’s actually a stark contrast to compare younger non-spontaneous me to now me. Before, I had to plan everything. Had to know when exactly everything was going to happen and arrive early for it. I still struggle with getting stressed if I’m not going to arrive somewhere early. But the rest… what a transformation.

Ok, I still write everything in my paper planner — but in pencil. This recent adventurous tale demonstrates how one can embrace both being a planner and one who thrives on spontaneity. It involved erasing a lot of items from the planner.

I bear the unofficial title of “momager.” Not fond of the term, but it’s semi mainstream and understood to mean parent of a child performer. My child, Ella Grace Helton, who turns 9 on March 9, started earning income as an actor at age 3. She became a member of the SAG-AFTRA union at age 6, when she starred in the ABC sitcom “United We Fall.” The same year, she had her feature film debut opposite Adam Sandler in his Netflix film “Hubie Halloween.” If you’ve seen it, yes the little Harley Quinn trick-or-treater is a Brevard kid!

And we just returned from Los Angeles, site of her 18th official commercial shoot. The details would make the most meticulous planner cringe.

The quick version:

  • We’re always partially packed. “Ready to launch.”
  • I purchase one-way tickets because Ella’s booked additional jobs requiring change of plans. 
  • This time, when Ella got a callback (second audition), I decided to 99% pack. Most callbacks don’t result in bookings, but this one felt different. I sensed the universe’s energy swirling. We were due for a visit to our beloved mountainous West Coast anyway, so I put our energy out there, too. Could always unpack. 
  • Given the tight timeline of this job, our last chance to jet was a 7 a.m. flight Wednesday. Tuesday evening at midnight, Ella’s team didn’t have a 100% confirmation of booking, but advised we should get on the plane.
  • At 2 a.m., I booked flight and rental car, got two hours sleep and we boarded at 6:30 a.m.
  • Ella says time travel is real, as we go back in time heading west. Yes, time zone travel magic works in our favor.
  • We landed at 9:30 a.m. PT, got confirmation she booked! Plenty of time to get Ella to her fitting. 
  • She worked the next day, then we spent that night and two glorious days hiking and visiting our favorite spots. It set our souls right.
  • Booked flight home.

Our minds are etched deeply with rich moments of sunsets, friends, mountains, ocean, wildlife and much more.

It’s way more fun to hang out with spontaneous me.

— Lee Nessel

More spontaneity:

Instagram: @adventuresofellagrace    @lee_nessel  

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