Trust yourself.  This seems like such simple advice, but why do we constantly ignore our instincts for the sake of someone else or our own fear of what will happen if we follow them? As an actress, I have trouble separating instincts in the craft of acting from those in life. More often than not, the lines blur when it comes to what I want to do versus what I think I should do.

I was taking a drive with my friend the other day, and I had a revelation about this concept. We were using the GPS system to navigate through New Jersey, our homeland. He commented: “This thing helps me so much, otherwise I’d have no sense of direction.”

Of course, I immediately look to the metaphorical meaning of this. There are a lot of roads with promises out there, a lot of ways to turn. It’s easy to get sidetracked. In this instance, we need a compass that knows where we want to go and tells us. What if we all referred to our gut as our own personal GPS system?

One of my intentions for this year is to avoid seeking out possibly shady odd jobs on Craigslist when I get nervous about money. If I curiously click and then hear that voice: Um, is this in line with what I am doing with my life? Will this be beneficial or helpful?  I know my GPS is not turned on. Point of fact, being in someone’s Grad Thesis shoot on “tickling” is NOT in my spectrum at all even for the quick hundred, and the fact is, I have a great acting job that is going to take care of me for the next few months (more details on that in a later column).

I think we are always so afraid of scarcity, that it won’t be enough, that we won’t find a solution, that WE won’t be enough. But as I hash through this I repeat the message of the day: Trust yourself.

It’s as if the feelings we know we have inside, no matter how deep they are lodged, are the ones we know are written in ink, while other’s opinions are just in pencil. I mean, there are always exceptions, like when someone you respect gives you GREAT advice or knows you real well and can empathize, and gives you a nice golden nugget to run with. That’s like getting an upgrade to your inner GPS system. Now you have GPS Plus.

So, again: Trust yourself, and the rest will be taken care of, that is, if your GPS is charged and powered.