Play with abandon. Work with abandon. Be with abandon.

Okay, that sounds appealing. But…precisely what are we abandoning?

Let’s try this: Abandon rules. Restrictions. Decorum. Self-editing. Abandon your current course of action when it involves attempting to fit into someone else’s idea of “right,” or even your own. In creating art, there is no right or wrong. It is, at its core, simply self-expression. Abandon the practice of fitting in, measuring up, phoning it in, and doing someone else’s work you couldn’t care less about. Abandon thinking that limits you in any way. Which brings us to…

Firing the Judge. This is huge. Desert him. Visualize that weasly guy who insists “I can’t do it” or “I’m too old” or “I’m too (fill in the blank)….” The one who stands there with folded arms and spews criticisms we allow to paralyze us. Externalize the naysayer. Send him down the street to the Pub and let him drown his sorrows. He’s terrified by the threat of exposure. We have spent so many years covering and adapting and hiding our true selves, we are out of the practice of being real. What if we show the world who we really are? You can start by sharing your authentic self with just one other person. Let freedom reign, baby, and fire the Judge. We’re onto him; he’s not welcome in our creative process. He can come to opening night and write some nasty review; we’ll be beaming all the way back to our dressing room, arms loaded with roses, and hearts full of joy and passion for having once again successfully expressed our selves with abandon.

Abandon the grim, stifled, strained practice of grinding out another day with a false smile plastered on our face, following someone else’s rules, with the intentions of living out our passions “someday.” You know what? “Someday” has just arrived, and we are boarding that ship and sailing on the seas of love, passion, expression, freedom, and joy. This journey is even better when shared, by the way. Model abandonment, and others will be inspired to do the same. Abandonment, like laughter, is infectious. Leave your mind empty. In fact, go out of your mind, and into your body and heart, which never lie. Take the leap, and discover what miraculous opportunities flow in.

Abandon yourself to indulge in your desires and impulses. Just do it. Tune in. Discover and real-ize your dreams. Express your innermost, authentic, self. Strip away pretense. Prune branches that no longer bear joyous fruit. Let down your guard. Be vulnerable. Let people in.

Finally, trust that you’re enough. Yes! You are enough!

Trust. Allow. Expose. Share. Encourage. Be open. Experience joy. Follow your passions. Love. Live.

And do all of the above with abandon.