deepak made me do it.

When I was producing, I was the picture of a young professional on the rise. I had a production company, and I was working with some of the biggest stars in the world. At one time I even made it onto a list of "Young Entrepeneurs to Watch."

But something strange was happening. The more "successful" I became, the more unhappy I started to feel. 

I remember it clear as day.

I was an Associate Producer on an event called the State of The World Forum. In attendance were various Heads of State, and great leaders that are responsible for changing the world. People that included Gen. Colin Powell, Mikail Gorbechev, Queen Noor of Jordan, and someone that I greatly admired, Deepak Chopra.

As I was waiting with Deepak before his keynote speech one day, he started to make (what I thought to be) small talk. "So Rae, are you happy?"

I was a bit taken aback. I responded, "I can't complain. I'm living in the greatest city in the world, financially doing great, and I have a career that some people would dream of. So I guess that means yes?!"

He said, "Does it? Let me ask you something. If you could become your dreams right now, what would it look like?" I took a pause, and responded," It's kind of dumb. But my dream has always been to be on Broadway or the West End. In my dream show. Miss Saigon." He simply said, "Do it." " I looked at him like he had two heads. Then at that moment, someone came by to tell him they were ready for him to give his address.

So as he started walking away, he paused, turned to me and said, "Rae, only you know what can make your soul happy. And only you can do it for yourself. Even if your current life is a dream come true, if it's not YOUR dream, then it's not true. Do it. Do what makes YOU happy." And just like that, one of my life's inspirations, Deepak Chopra walked away.

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Not long after that I walked away from that career. I sat down with my cup of tea, took a big breathe and opened a Backstage, thinking, "Well, here I go. It's been years. I may as well get my feet wet." Right there in the audition notices was a call for Miss Saigon. Well, amongst a sea of thousands of girls, and multiple auditions later, I landed my dream role in the show that would change the trajectory of my life forever.

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I've never gotten the chance to thank Deepak Chopra for that life changing moment. I hope to get it someday!

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