We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jessica Gomez Lopez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jessica , so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
I think the only reason we need to “keep it alive” is because we disconnect from it in the first place. I believe everything you need is already inside of you but it can be scary to connect to that risky side and see a different perspective. So as a result we go to exterior things to “keep it alive” things like music, nature, art pieces, plays, movies, etc. And I think all those things are amazing however, they just reflect what’s inside of us. I think even “finding” inspiration is sort of vague. If we connect within most of the answers are there, and if we are able to do that, then when we cherish music, nature, and all those things it’ll be from a collaboration mindset and not from a void that needs to be fulfilled by such things. Though it is hard some days, I tried my best to connect within and then take in the beauty of my surroundings in all their greatness. Is more enjoyable like that for me. I use the exterior to remind me of creativity but not to give it. Like an alarm that wakes you up, but the alarm doesn’t get up for you, that’s completely on you. Mindfulness has helped me greatly in this area. When I am present, creativity is definitely alive!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
So I can give you the whole spiel about what I study and how all that has bought me to this point, but I’ll skip all that. Let’s just say life will always lead you to where you need to be. And instead, let’s just talk about the present since is the only thing we have. So I am currently in NYC. Auditioning. Yes, I am an actress. I don’t believe in titles much, to be honest. Not even when I say, artist. Is hard to digest that I guess and sometimes it brings an image to mind that it might not be who I am. Anywho, I am an artist but I am also me. Art is not my profession but is a part of me. Even when I don’t want it to be (in my angry moments of the process) but even when I don’t want it, I do. I love characters. I love communicating through art, whether it is through acting, or writing my philosophical poetry (which by the way you can check out my book “…And Why Not?” Available in Amazon KDP and Barnes & Noble Press). That was not a commercial, just in case you’re curious. Anywho, I find truly weird and uncomfortable to express myself, which is why some people approach me with a questionnaire (no judgment, I understand why they do it) but I rather express myself through my work. Especially acting. It just has a way of undoing me and putting me back together. I think that’s the way God wired me and that’s how we communicate as well. I use to be apologetical about it (I still am at times) but heck no. Life is an individual gift to cherish with others not to mold into others’ perspectives. Besides acting? Well, I am a crazy and a half person (yep, a bit extra there) so I’ve been doing some abstract painting, writing my play, and a third book (The second one is already done. I hope to share it soon). But at the moment my heart is yearning for play. So I’ll be on stage soon 🙂
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Uff!!! Is hard to only pick three, but I’ll say, Listen to yourself (God speaks to you directly and not necessarily through others. The reason I think He sometimes uses others is that I’m not listening), Prioritize (Is not about what’s an “emergency now” but what’s important in the long run. It about endurance not getting anywhere, so prioritizing with that in my mind), and lastly, Laser Focus (Not just focus but Laser Focus. There is always so much work to do, and so many areas to take care of but Laser Focus has helped me to center myself into the singularity. And in a world full of multitasking, singularity can be difficult but not impossible and is what has helped to actually improve, not just move. “Don’t confuse movement with progress” my dear Denzel Washington said. Now, I do not think I am ever in a position to advise at all, but if there’s one thing I think might be useful is to ask yourself, “what the f*ck am I doing with my life?” As often as you can. Life is given to you! Your heart, your soul, your body, and your mind, are all YOUR responsibility. How are you treating all those? Is not about a career, money, or even people. You cannot give a love that you lack for yourself. When you downplay yourself, you are spitting over the Greatness and Value God has put in you. Low self-esteem is not being humble, is being prideful. If you don’t value the God-given image you were made to be, you can’t value anyone else and even less your vocation.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
Well, I started up with God. Nope, I do not hear Him audibly but He speaks in various ways. Including the most helpful book of all to me (though there was a point I use to hated it), which is Proverbs. Second of all, my brother. Who though younger than me, is a genius! And the greatest friend anyone can ask for. My parents have been of great help as well. Though that’s a more complex communication relationship I do appreciate and value their advice and perspectives. But to tell you all a secret, I have amazing great minded friends that have no idea that they are indeed my friends that I live with, my dear Dante Gebel, my Sottish truthful friend Gary John Bishop, my mind changer and trainer Chuy Almada (a.k.a “El Toro), my extraordinary Daniel Habif, my inspiring Bethany Hamilton, my energetic Laird Hamilton, my unique Diego Dreyfus, my sweet Marco Antonio Regil, my moving friend that shakes me Viola Davis, my dear Madeleine Harvey who always knows how I feel about my voice even when I do not say a word, and so many more that it will be too long of a list to write. I love living with these extraordinary humans because they reflect an amazing mirror on me. As my dear Dreyfus will say, “we all mirror each other”. I am also blessed to cherish the amazing people I’ve met along the way, don’t get me wrong, but these humans have inspired me to act on the ideas, not just to have them. (P.S. I highly recommend “ You are not depressed, just distracted” by Facundo Cabral. And no, it’s not for those that feel depressed, is a wake-up call to everyone).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jessicagomezlopez.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessgl23/
Image Credits
Luana
