We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sonia Jackson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sonia below.
Sonia, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
For me, it’s not hard to keep creativity alive because we are surrounded by creativity. We live in a creative universe, and I believe that Creative Universal Power flows through each one of us, expressing itself in different ways. Often, an idea or thought will pop into my head. If I let it take root, it will develop and expand, with new ideas attaching themselves to it. Maybe even create unexpected connections between seemingly unrelated concepts. I can choose to explore it, nurturing it into something more significant, or I can let it float on by and never think about it again.
The ebb and flow of ideas has been a key in my creative journey. Recognizing that not every thought needs to immediately transform into a project has freed me to explore, experiment and take risks. It’s like collecting seeds from the wind – some may sprout into incredible creations, while others serve as the foundation for future endeavors. This is important to know because the Universe will flood you with ideas if you ask.
Above all, maintaining a sense of playfulness has been my guiding principle. Just as children effortlessly transform a cardboard box into a spaceship, I’ve allowed myself to transform ordinary thoughts into extraordinary explorations enabling me to expand beyond what I thought I could.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I like to blend my roles in both my nonprofit, Visions of Possibilities, and my artistic pursuits as a storyteller because I do not want to separate aspects of myself from myself. I don’t think we really can. This unique merging is a result of my deep passion for empowerment and creative expression. My theatrical endeavors include the impactful shows “Mamaisms” and “Conversations ‘Bout The Girls,” which I consider not just performances but platforms for empowerment. Through these projects, I aim to inspire and uplift, helping women see themselves as the brilliant, beautiful beings they truly are.
Navigating a mid-life career transition, I successfully shifted gears from one path (corporate management) to another (actor), harnessing the Power of spirituality to guide my journey. My artistic journey is a testament to the transformative potential that exists within us, waiting to be tapped into. It’s a story of reinvention, resilience, and embracing authenticity, regardless of age or situations.
Whether it’s film and TV or my personal projects, I allow my creativity to expand its reach. And there’s something truly exciting on the horizon – “The Girls Talkin’,” an event that is a community gift from my nonprofit through the Santa Monica Playhouse BFF Binge Fringe Festival of FREE Theatre. Set for November 5th, the diverse ensemble of “The Girls Talkin’,” also known as “Conversations ‘Bout The Girls,” is a captivating performance piece, a Masterclass if you will, about breasts from a woman’s perspective. It’s an opportunity for women to engage in insightful discussions that transcend the physical and delve into the realm of self-perception, empowerment, and unity.
Through this event and all my endeavors, I aspire to amplify the voices of women, providing them with spaces where they can embrace their authenticity, ignite their confidence, and walk through life with a graceful, empowered stride.
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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?
The advice I give is three words: “Believe in yourself.”
When I switched to being an actor, I was sooo excited and I knew this was where I was supposed to be. I could feel it in me. It gave me joy about being alive.
Not growing up in the industry I didn’t have any mentors to help guide me and I fell in with the wrong crowd. Nay-sayers.
I would tell someone I was an actor, they would say, “What have you done?” I would respond, “Nothing yet. and their comment back to me was, “Oh, you want to be an actor.” I knew I was an actor by declaration, but sometimes, I was told I wasn’t because “I hadn’t paid my dues.”
Looking back, there were situations where I lost faith in myself by believing what other people said.
No matter what anyone says to you, weigh it against your belief in yourself. If “they” say you don’t have enough skills, get more training. In my I’ve been told I’ve been I was too dark, too light, too tall, not quite tall enough, too loud, too quiet, too old and too young. No matter what anyone says, there’s always evidence to the contrary. Someone who has broken the mold.
I had to come back to my truth. Who I am, can do this. So believe in you and look for those that will help you find your path. Let no one steal your joy.
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
The more we know ourselves, both strengths and areas for improvement, the stronger we are. They’re both tools. Some are tools we use well; others are tools we’re less familiar with or don’t know how to use. Using the tools we know, we become stronger. And if there’s a tool we don’t know how to use, we can be creative and figure out how to gain that knowledge in different ways.
When I left the corporate world to act, I create my first solo show, “I’m Gonna Fly,” the story of Bessie Coleman America’s first black aviatrix. It was successful but unfortunately the entertainment industry was not beating down my door with film and television offers afterward.
I had to decide: go back to my old job or keep moving forward in entertainment. I chose to take the risk and dove into entertainment. I got a temp job helping a friend write corporate policies and procedures (strength), but the only thing I knew about computers was that they were fancy typewriters (area in need of improvement). I asked my friend to turn on the computer and I would create the documents directly into her files. I taught myself a skill I needed and that has served me tremendously ever since.
The bottom line is recognizing our strengths and where we’d like to improve. Imagine these strengths as our unique superpowers. When we combine these strengths with a willingness to grow in other areas, we become even more well-rounded and capable. It’s important to remember that we aren’t meant to handle everything on our own. Collaborating with others opens up new perspectives and insights that can elevate our work, regardless of what we’re pursuing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://visionsofpossibilities.org/
- Instagram: @SoniaJacksonVisions
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoniaJacksonVisions
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/soniajacksonvisions
- Twitter: @SoniaVisions
- Other: Sonia Jackson/IMDb. – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0414052
Image Credits
Botanical World Adventures Selfie Anthony Johnson/Towne Street Theatre Anthony Johnson/Towne Street Theatre Selfie Anthony Johnson/Towne Street Theatre Anthony Johnson/Towne Street Theatre Selfie
