Mäd Love: Finding Balance
Welcome and thank you SO much for visiting my very first blog post!!
Just a little about myself. My name is Mädchen Amick. My very supportive parents allowed me to move from Reno, NV to Hollywood, CA in the summer of 1987 to follow my dream of becoming a film and television actress. I have had an exciting career of very different projects and even more diverse roles. I am a very proud mother of two beautiful and talented children, Sylvester and Mina. And lastly, I have to gush about my loving and gorgeous husband of thirty years, David. He has been my rock through everything!
I have so many things to share with you over these blog posts about the adventures in my life. But what has inspired me most to start this blog was the recent events of one of my first jobs, the ground-breaking show ‘Twin Peaks’, and its return to television 25 years later. Since this was announced, I have been bombarded with the comparison of my now, 46-year-old self, to my very young and innocent 16-year-old self. Don’t get me wrong, most have been kind. Although there have been some that like to point out the differences. Now, what concerned me most, was the very surface assumption that since I had a more “youthful look”, I must’ve had “work” done.
Well, if there’s one thing that I’m passionate about, it’s that I haven't succumbed to what
they call “invasive procedures” like fillers, botox, lipo, etc., because I absolutely love and celebrate the beauty of aging! Yes, youth is pretty. Perfectly smooth skin. Pouty lips. A naturally high metabolism. But you know what else is beautiful? Aging. And no, it’s not just for guys. Women look stunning as they age as well. The way our faces become more chiseled. We develop laugh lines around our eyes and creases at the corners of our mouths. Do you know why? Our lives have been filled with years of laughter and overwhelming joy from being loved. Ok, maybe the crease in-between our eyebrows came from worry. But that’s what we do when we care about our loved ones, right? It’s what happens when we have to work twice as hard at our job than our counterpart. This is called being a warrior. Becoming a queen.
So, I looked inward. What has been the factor in my youthful looks and my carefree attitude? I’ve been reflecting on that and wanted to share my thoughts, my concerns and my hopes with you. For me, it has been FINDING THE BALANCE. When I think back to my childhood challenges and what got me through, it was balance. When I’m hit with struggles in my adult life, I search for the balance. When you ask me what has been the ingredient for success, I can relate it back to the balance in my life.
I encourage you to research the wise old Chinese philosophical concept of Yin and Yang:
“The principle of Yin and Yang is a fundamental concept in Chinese philosophy and culture in general dating from the third century BCE or even earlier. This principle is that all things exist as inseparable and contradictory opposites, for example female-male, dark-light and old-young. The two opposites attract and complement each other and, as their symbol illustrates, each side has at its core an element of the other (represented by the small dots). Neither pole is superior to the other and, as an increase in one brings a corresponding decrease in the other, a correct balance between the two poles must be reached in order to achieve harmony.”
- by Mark Cartwright www.ancient.eu/ying_and_yang
Going forward, I would love to create a conversation with you about how you find your balance. What were your challenges? How did you overcome them? How did you or some other influence bring a “silver lining” to the situation?
Look, we are all hit with challenges in our lives. It doesn't matter what city, country, community or career you are in. It doesn't matter your age or your gender. We are in this together.
I can’t wait to hear your personal story. And I can’t wait to share mine. So, I ask you the question, how do you find your balance? What is your Yin and Yang? Blog here and share.
XOXO - Mäd Love
