Do you ever wonder what your life would have been like if you were perhaps born in a different city, a different country, perhaps born of a different race? Do you ever wonder what your life would have been like if you were born taller, prettier, or richer?  Do you ever wonder what your life would have been like if only…
 
I believe it was back in the late 90s when I was being interviewed for a magazine that the correspondent first asked me the question, “Do you believe Zen Filmmaking would have been more well received if you had founded it in Europe?” This was during the timeframe when the whole Dogme 95 thing was making headlines. Since then, I have been asked that question a number of times. In fact, I was asked that question just the other day when I was questioned if I thought Zen Filmmaking could have risen to the level of Dogme 95 if I was European?
 
My response, “Where’s Dogme 95 today? Me, I’m still making Zen Films, as are other people.”
 
First of all, that thought never even crossed my mind. I mean, hey, I’m from Hollywood. How much more Industry can you get than that?
 
But, more to the point, I believe some people miss the entire essence of Zen Filmmaking when they ask questions like that. Zen Filmmaking was never about the number of participants it had or the number of viewers that saw the films or what university professors discussed its philosophy, benefits, and shortcomings. It was never about what awards it did or did not win. Nor was it ever based in the rules and regulation like those possessed by Dogme 95. It’s about freedom. It’s about creativity. It’s about art. It’s about realization. It’s about Cinematic Enlightenment. And, let’s face facts, how many people even understand Cinematic Enlightenment?  Or, how many people even care about that concept? More to the point, how many even care about making a film? Or care about freedom? Or care about Zen? Most people who even think about entering the film game only care about fame and fortune.
 
Yes, and I’ve spoken about this before, there was a time when Zen Filmmaking was on the lips of many people. …Many people, particularly those in the Industry. But, at best, all it was for them was a du jour. A term they could use to make themselves sound knowledgeable, contemporary, and tuned-in.
 
But, before I get too far off track here…
 
The entire game of, “What if,” really takes you off course from the reality of your reality. No matter where or how you find yourself in life, that is where you are. Simple as that. No matter where you find yourself in the grand scheme of LIFE STUFF that is where you are. Sure, like most people, you may wish to be something bigger, better, and more. And, maybe if you try you can get there. But, at the essence of your reality, if you cannot simple be the best of who you are from where you are, with you have, then all you will do with your life is spend it chasing after that something you can never truly own.
 
Be you. Accept you. Love you. Do what you can to make your life better, if that’s what you want to do. But, never believe that by being that someone else, somewhere else, that the true you will ever change.

Don’t let what you are not keep you from being all you can become.