David Gilna Archives - Alison Canavan

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A SKY FULL OF STARS

A deal of the century was on the cards, too good to be true but my agents were confident. I was assured. My mind raced with wonderment and adventure. A financial deal that would look after me for the next two years.

But if the money ain’t in your bank account, the gig is not real. Late phone call we hit a stumbling block with contracts and legalities.

But I’ve been here before and I learnt from the past. So I was gutted but the deal wasn’t a banker for me.

Devastated over dinner, not hungry, still on my new healthy buzz but I stick with it. I pardon my company from the table. It’s late and there was a slight drizzle of rain in the air.

I got dressed into my walking/running gear and I put in my ear phones and I started to run in the rain. Looked up to the stars and started to dream.

The rain was beating off my face but I felt alive. It wasn’t meant to be. Every step I took it left a negative print behind me.

These things happen in life but its how we deal with these situations and use tools or mechanisms to get over the hump.

Walking at night does it for me. Just showing you my readers we all get kicked in the stomach and that has many shapes and forms.

But we can break through those barriers and learn and grow towards the future with a mind more focused than ever before.

Training our minds towards the positive isn’t easy but it’s about repetition.

Today was the first reading of my new play ‘The Unsung Hero’ this journey has taken years to reach this point. I feel alive again.

Starting with a blank page and your mind, anything is possible.

February 16, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation, Newsletter

SMILE

Sometimes in life we forget to smile, smile at all the misfortunes, heartache or smile in our success. So do me a favour and just smile right now. Not that awful fake smile for those uncomfortable photos we don’t want to be in but smile like you just can’t stop laughing.

So I’ve lasted two weeks on this fitness & food journey. I’m laughing right now. I’m snacking on almonds and I had asparagus for the first time. I do love no sugar in my teas and coffees now and I’ve cut out my beloved bread.

I just want to state on record how proud I am of anyone who has tried a small change in their life for the better. We all fail throughout different journeys. But when you tried your best and don’t succeed, you know what, you made a difference, a rewiring of thoughts. For that I salute you. You will succeed; just learn from your failures.

My auld buddy the professional footballer, said it best, reward yourself with the bad stuff because what’s the point in not enjoying food.

I was a sugar cereal man, topped with sugar and more sugar, and then wait for it, more sugar in my coffee. Now I’m buzzing off natural yogurt and blueberries. Well for the moment anyway. That’s my journey after two weeks.

Now my play ‘The Unsung Hero’ has its world premiere on March 21^st at the Theatre Upstairs then a nationwide tour. You’ve witnessed this journey. It all started with a vision, that I would write a play that will tour the globe. I was laughed at, rejected, but now, I can’t stop smiling. Lights will guide you home as they say. Right now I’m living Lightning Positivity.

If I can’t give you examples from my own success or failures there is no point in me writing this? My play has been in development for two years and now I’m at the starting line of a marathon, done all the prep, late nights, aching body, sore feet, now I’m smiling getting my groove for the race that is my play, my thoughts to be staged for the world to see & hear.

Now we all have that potential inside us, now I’m not high on sugar as I have my almonds and my water. But I’ll be treating myself to a nice auld pint of stout mid-week but right now I’m just so happy. Why write this article each week?

Well, I hope that one day you’ll have a day of extreme satisfaction from visualising a goal from a blank page when everybody rejected your idea or business plan.

Small steps, big dreams and don’t forget that smile.

Pain and suffering but worth it all in the end.

You all have the potential. Get that blank page and let your imagination run wild.

I believe in you.

Just stop making excuses.

Write me four lines that’s all I want. Just four lines of a vision or a change you want to make.

Shine On

February 9, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation, Newsletter

NO POTATOES, BREAD OR SUGAR FOR ME

NO POTATOES, BREAD OR SUGAR FOR ME – BOO HOO

Howaya, don’t worry I’m not one of those fitness fanatics. But one of my friends is getting married in March. He wants to shift some weight for the big day. One of the grooms men is a professional footballer so he’s done up a two month plan of attack to get us in shape for the big day.

So I decided to join in for the craic, that means no bread, sugar in my tea or coffee and NO potatoes. I’m a meat & potato kinda guy. So let’s see if I can still be positive over the next few weeks till I get my potato.

But in life a positive shock to the system in always a good thing. Sometimes we can fall into a pattern of a safety net, which is cool but sometimes we have to get out of our comfort zone.

I’m trying to rewire my own programming with a new mind-set to stay focused on my own journey. Reminding myself in the morning that I am talented, that I can achieve the goals I’ve set out and I congratulate myself every day. I’ve noticed a difference and I can personally feel the change in me.

I’m more focused than I have ever been. Try it out; you’ve got nothing to lose unless you are saying it to yourself in the car while stuck in traffic and both cars either side of you are thinking who is this crazy coconut.

Ah don’t mind people who slag off your Positive attitude, or what books you read. I’ve had enough negative Neds tell me so. And you know what? I don’t care and I never will if people get me or don’t. My life, my choices, my belief. I believe in the power of Lightning Positivity.

Now I just hope I don’t dream of sugar and my beloved potatoes this week as I have to wait two weeks before I can bite one.

Happy Friday Peeps

Shine On

January 29, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation

TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND WALK AWAY

Thanks for all the messages I received from readers who sent themselves a postcard with a goal attached. I’m delighted you got a boost from the exercise & you spent the money on the stamp.

Right so in life you have to practise what you preach. Now I was tested, so much that the venom was pouring out of my body. Over an argument that I walked away from, under the sound advice from my friends. I was built up with such rage but I walked away eventually even though I wanted to continue the argument.

As my mother would say “park it and say a prayer for that lost soul” so I did just that. Slept on it and wiped it from my memory when the strangest thing happened to me. People reached out to me, saying they had experienced a similar argument with this particular person or more like an attack.

Now I didn’t want to walk away, but I did. The amount of positive feedback I received was uplifting. It was an incredible lesson to learn in life. The Hardest thing is to walk away from an idiot but that’s exactly what you should do.

Met my agent today and planning out the year with work. He told me “David you do so much for free to help others in your career, all I ask is that you concentrate what you want this year, look after no1 in 2016 first”.

In life sometimes we forget about no1. So today concentrate on your goals, your feelings, your life and nobody else’s. Let spend some time looking after me.

I’m like that energiser bunny on the television but over the weekend I felt like I was hit by a moving train. I shut off from the world yesterday and I feel like a new person.

Don’t forget to listen to your body. Sometimes it’s nice to shut off from the world and have a me day. I needed that break and feel vitalised and refreshed.

Wishing you all the positivity and energy you need for the week ahead.

January 19, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation, Newsletter

HOLD ON – PAIN ENDS – A NEW CHAPTER AWAITS

So I’ve known pain, the type of pain suffered from a lightning bolt ripping through my body and burning me from the inside out with the extreme heat. Ouch! But now I wear my scars with pride. But I saved money, spiking my hair without gel.

But I thought I knew pain till I suffered a loss in my life that devastated me. This pain came from my heart and I was an empty vessel, a shadow of myself. I vowed I’d never write again.

But one night on a rooftop over-looking London, South Bank & the London Eye inspiration hit me. I wrote for three days straight in a manic state.

That became my second play “My Bedsit Window” and it became my most critically acclaimed play. Toured internationally, translated and five star reviews. Before then I had reached the lowest point in my life. Very hard to see the light, but I never gave up as pain ends.

Now I write every day, for me, it fills my heart with joy and my imagination runs wild with excitement. But I’m not talking about a career. For the rest of my life I’ll write a play once a year for me and nobody else.

This process makes me feel alive and I was going to walk away from the pen and paper forever. Now always remember in life to hold on because the pain will end and the most incredible chapter in your life awaits you with open arms. Colours & warmth that enrich the soul.

Now my next play “The Unsung Hero” opens March 21^st – April 2^nd at the Theatre Upstairs and then afterwards goes on a nationwide tour.

Why tell me all this? I told people this would happen; I’m going to write this play, it will tour Ireland and the world. I repeated it to myself over and over. Telling the world or anyone who would listen. Some people laughed, thought it would never happen.

Then it was announced last Friday. But then I got phone calls from people who I haven’t heard from since my last play. The usual but this time I embraced each phone call. Now people want to take my play to London, America, Japan, Rome, Argentina, France, Mexico and I just smiled to myself, sure we are still fundraising for the Irish run of this production.

But at that moment, my visualisation became a reality, that global pull for my play, I knew would always happen.

But remember before all this I was never going to write again. That happiness cut off from my life. All the people I’ve met and loved along this journey have lifted my soul.

So “Lightning Positivity” isn’t just a phrase I coined but something I live my life by.

People in this world will try and cut out your soul and happiness. Of course you will have those dark days and heartache but a light will take you to new heights that you’ve only imagined.

Make you happy and make your dreams come true. If anything I just want you to pick up this positive energy and apply it to your own life.

Harness that incredible strength that lives in your heart. One day you’ll be flying so high all this will be a faded memory of a dark blip on the radar.

Close your eyes and follow the light even in the darkest of moments.

Wishing you all the success on this journey we call life.

Don’t just read “Lightning Positivity” live it, embrace it, dream it, visualise it, own it, laugh at it.

Your journey starts today and you have that control, nobody else but you. Close your eyes and just dream do whatever makes you smile.

Happy Howaya Tuesday

Love & Peace

January 12, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation

WRITE YOURSELF A LETTER

So as a playwright I’ve reached the point of living, breathing, every waking minute of my two characters Michael Joseph O’Rahilly (The O’Rahilly) & his wife Nannie Brown for my next play “The Unsung Hero”.

I’m in “the zone” as some people may say. I can visualise every scene, throughout the play. I know their gestures and mannerisms. As a writer each character will tap into your soul for that moment in time when you are writing a new play. Now sometimes nothing happens but right now I’m connected.

So I have every love letter my two characters wrote to each other from 1893 – 1916 till the day he died off Moore Street. Now there is something beautiful in reading and receiving a letter.

So my readers ; my goal for you is to write yourself a letter , telling me something positive about your beautiful self and a small goal you will achieve and send it to yourself. Now don’t be cheap ya hear me. Buy a stamp and send it to your address. When you receive that letter it will give you a beautiful lift. Trust me on this, all about the Lightning Positivity.

What’s he talking about now? So I decided to wake up every morning, say something positive about myself, something I what to achieve, a moment for prayer or reflection. Now at some point throughout the 24hrs in a day. A few minutes of shadow boxing for my fitness and meditation. I know, that’s right meditation and I’ve noticed a difference.

In my own personal life I feel like I’ve found the person who maybe I lost for a period of time, people reflect that when they see me. I’m smiling again because I can’t stop. Now before some smart arse says something of course I’ve been hurt or had a job crushed or chasing an invoice but I don’t let that hinder my own head space and positive vibes. Now enough of all that hippie dippy talk says you. But the blood sucking vampires are just bouncing off me and I love it. All about control and harnessing that natural energy.

So last week I talked about my own goals and what I wanted when I was asked by my mother over coffee for 2016. Now I know and I’ll share them to the universe. I hadn’t a clue but now I know.

To finish writing my children’s book “Johnny Lightning”.
Write & develop two new plays.
To hold a free workshop on motivation & positivity.
Small cameo in a feature film.
To write one new screenplay.
Purchase my first DSLR camera.
Travel to new destinations.
To really enjoy the time I have on this plant with my loved ones, family & friends. Not to forget that message.
Write letters & postcards throughout the year.
Here for family who need a helping hand at the darkest hour.
To do the odd martial arts class throughout the year between my friends martial arts schools throughout the country.
Take Irish Lessons.

That’s my list. That’s my goals. It’s out in the world.

Now write that letter for you and only you. Buy a stamp you cheap arse. Tell a friend about this exercise.

Oh remember the article I wrote on my friend Glenn Gannon and his book “Miracle Man- Homeless to Hollywood” well last week Humans of Dublin & Buzz feed picked up his story. He broke the Internet and it couldn’t happen to a nicer fella. Shine on GG. You’ve gone global.

Shine On Readers.

January 5, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation, Newsletter

THE BEST GIFTS ARE ALWAYS FREE

This Christmas all I ask of my readers is to reach out to friends or family who will be lonely. It costs nothing and can be the most rewarding gift of all.

I worked in the meals & wheels and I’ve seen how the elderly can be left on their own. I was their only point of contact. Made it my business to have the chat with them all and it was the best gift I could ever give and I’m still left with fond memories.

Now don’t get me wrong some of them would test your bloody patience. We all have the Bahumbug friend who hates you & Christmas but don’t give up on them and offer them a hand or just let them rant to someone. Your good deed for the festive holiday.

So before Christmas day find an hour for you. Grab a hot or cold drink and think about visualising your goals for January. We talk about it, think about it but do we actually commit fully to visualising in such detail we believe in the picture we’ve created.

Think about one great moment this year, one achievement, one happy memory that’s three great feelings in one year. Let’s not think or dwell on the negatives and the dark days. Let those happy memories take over your body for now. Fill you with joy of something you achieved.

My own goal is about visualisation and all of us achieving small goals together in whatever career path or life journey.

I just feel something magical right now. There’s something within the energy in the air right now. I want you to tap into that (Ah no he’s talking crazy right now, what’s he on now!!). But there really is a positive energy in the air right now.

Love to all my readers on living another year. That’s another achievement.

Don’t let anyone put you down, laugh at your visons and goals. I believe in you.

Simple exercise, certain people can drain your energy. So I imagine a block of white energy passing through my body with warm colours of blue to protect me. Always helps me visualising colours and forces of energy.

Now you may think this is a lot of hot air and you could be right but it works for me.

Merry Christmas to all of my readers.

Pain will always end, so hold on.

Love always

Shine On

December 22, 2015/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation, Newsletter

BELIEVE IN YOU

I love when I’m on tour throughout Ireland. Seeing different counties in this beautiful country we call home. Each theatre has its own character and soul. Meeting new & old faces. It’s something I’ve always loved as a jobbing actor over the years. I can tell you a few stories that will surely give you a giggle. One time in Cork staying in a B&B the owner came straight into my room while I was having a shower. Singing away to my hearts content she knocked on the bathroom door and proceeded to enter and ask what I would like for breakfast in the morning (Here’s me thinking it was the Princess from the show not an 80yr old woman).

Now some of you might have not heard of an Irish man called Conor McGregor. Some of you might love him and others despise him. I’m personally a fan. I trained in martial arts for 8 years under Master John Darcy (A.I.M.A.A) and Grandmaster Heel Il Cho becoming a National Champion and finishing 3rd in the World Championships. My friend Shane McQuillan’s (World Hapkido Association & Komplete Martial Arts) father Eugene McQuillan brought me to my first class and I fell love with the sport and his passion for martial arts. It thought me Modesty, Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control & Indomitable spirit.

I retired from the sport and watching & attending all competitions, reading books, videos on the sport until April 2013 when I saw a video of an Irish man called Conor McGregor and it was the press conference after his debut fight in an organisation called the UFC. He had such confidence, an unbelievable mindset and focus that he would be a champion and one of the best martial artists on the planet in the UFC.

December 2015 and people are comparing him to the greatest boxer Muhammad Ali due to his sharp tongue, promoting a fight, catch phrases, his way with words and most of all undeniable talent .

In 13 seconds he knocked out his opponent Jose Aldo a champion who was undefeated in the sport for over ten years and regarded as the best pound for pound fighter on the planet.

Lightning Positivity is about the positive outlook we can all have in life. Believing in our own talents, visualising that goal, believing in that goal, believing in ourselves and saying it out loud in the mirror till we believe it.

Conor McGregor earned over $7.5 million over the weekend and about three years ago he was on the dole following a dream that he believed he would fulfil.

But like all goals they start with you. A pen & paper and the ability of learning the skill that is self confidence.

So how ever ridiculous your goal is or sounds. Believe in you. Believe in the goal. I know you have the talent and determination to achieve anything. But you have to start. Conor McGregor’s career didn’t start in Vegas last weekend in a 13 second fight where he became the unified featherweight world champion.

To me that is an unbelievable mindset. We can all be guilty of falling off the tracks with our own goals, dreams and determination.

But look at Conor McGregor. Anything is possible once you stay focused and committed. Make the smallest of changes today. Now write down that goal. But more important, say it out loud. Believe in it. Own it. Embrace it.

Lightning Positivity

You either love or hate Christmas and I love it. So can I ask my readers two questions.

What’s your favourite Christmas song?

What’s your favourite Christmas film?

Please insert in the comment box. Thanks a Thousand.

Shine On

DG x

December 15, 2015/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation

OH NO YOU DIDN’T – OH YES I DID – OH NO YOU DIDN’T – OH YES I DID

Hope sees the invisible

Feels the intangible

And achieves the impossible

Hold on

Pain ends

Tis Pantomime Season in Dublin “Oh Yes It Is” and I have friends involved in every production from The Helix, The Tivoli, The Olympia & The Gaiety Theatre. Now I was invited to the press night of “Little Red Riding Hood” to see my good buddy Joe Conlan perform as the Panto Dame “Granny McGregor” 26 years he’s performing on stage in Pantomime for the people of Dublin.

But also this week I sold an option on one of my screenplays, I didn’t want to sell this because it was a love story and was close to my own heart. But I did eventually and the news was announced last Friday.

Now what’s my point in talking about Pantomime and screenplays in Hollywood and this entire showbiz razzle dazzle. I started out in Pantomime touring Ireland under the guidance of Eurovision winner Shay Healy and award winning director Michael Scott.

Michael rang me and asked would I fancy another tour as a magical elf, dust off the auld cobwebs “Oh No He Didn’t – Oh Yes He Did” and I was over the moon. You see performing to children and telling tales of space adventures and Christmas magic was where I learned my craft as a professional. Playing in Galway’s Town Hall Theatre for the first time was magical. You see in life sometimes we can forget about our grassroots. If playing a Magical Elf or Christmas Character pays for my mortgage for the next 20 years then happy days is right.

But sometimes people’s opinions can have a massive impact on our own judgement. They don’t care about your happiness but they will tell you why you shouldn’t take a job even tho you should.

So let’s take it back to our grassroots this Christmas. Strip it all back. What did we love to do for ourselves? You see you can work in a job Monday – Friday 9-5 but what’s stopping you from coaching, teaching, learning, creating, and doing something that makes you happy outside of your work hours. Something as stupid as it may sound but makes you smile from the inside out.

A friend of mine recently started to knit at night, then the weekend. She cried with laughter at first “Ah I’m not going out tonight, loads of knitting to catch up on” now she was embarrassed at first. But now she is selling her creations at craft fairs and to family and friends. But only for her, now it’s a hobby that makes some money for her but makes her smile throughout the whole process.

With the year coming to the end, do me a favour don’t make any new year’s resolutions. But instead of thinking of all the negative things that have happened and the failures. Think of all the happy memoires you shared this year. Now, I know you can all tell me one. Hold that memory close and next year I want that number to double.

In life we all have pain, but hold on because pain ends.

It may not feel right at this moment but at some point you will learn from those failures. When that happens, for me anyway it’s a double positive.

Anyone who laughs at your positive outlook on your own life, don’t even give them a second thought. Remember at this time of year it’s full of people I like to call “Coffee & Kicks” they just want to pretend to be a friend but knock you down.

So think about your grassroots today, one happy memory from this year and remember that will double next year.

What I love about life, we are all different, all unique and we can achieve anything.

“Oh No You Can’t – Oh Yes I Can”.

Oh Yes I Can.

December 8, 2015/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation

IN LIFE WE ALL GET LOST AT ONE POINT, DON’T PANIC IF YOU DO.

From my first post on #becomplete I told you that I’d always be honest. Who you see on social media is the same person you meet in real life. Do I have flaws? Of course but who doesn’t. I never pretend to be anyone else. I laugh & love in my own little world. Dreaming of all the wonders in the world and the things I want to achieve.

Last week I posted an article about being lost. I’m blessed right now that I have been commissioned as a screenwriter. But working as a playwright brought so many questions?

Did I want this life? This path? Was I happy? Is this what I want to do for the rest of my life? I realised I’m happy and enjoying my journey but in reality I have no idea where my journey will take me. What career path even! But I’ve stopped worrying about the outcome. I’m taking the gigs and enjoying the process. I don’t have the answers. So what I’m really saying is that it’s ok to get lost but still be happy on your day to day journey.

Have you started to make the smallest of changes in your life to alter that journey for nobody except you? Sometimes in life we can fall into careers without knowing it, but you are not happy. Now don’t go telling the husband or wife. That’s it, “Lightning Positivity” I’ve packed in the job and guess what I’m feeling positive about change. The mortgage and bills ah sure what the hell, I’m happy. But take note; let’s start to look at our options. In life we always have options just sometimes we can be blind to them. Yes of course take risks and follow your dreams and heart. But let’s start to make plans and small changes. Then you’ll feel the difference.

On Friday I was honoured to address the Lord Mayor and the relatives from the signatures of the proclamation at the mansion house. I was asked to talk about my play dedicated to The O’Rahilly & Nannie Brown my two unsung heroes from 1916. What was remarkable was that an elderly lady who was 90 ordered a taxi to bring her to the mansion house to hear the speeches.

The taxi man asked would I accompany the lady to the function while I was outside on my phone. It took us 10mins to walk up the stairs of the mansion house. We took our time and I held her arm till I brought her to the house.

Why am I telling you this?

CHANGE FOCUS PASSION DEDICATION MOVEMENT HEART CHANGE

At 90 she had the focus to make sure she was going to be present to the launch of “Buy Back Moore Street” she wanted to be a part of that moment. She could have stayed inside on that wet, windy & miserable night. But she wanted to see change. I thought to myself what a remarkable woman, we all want change but if we don’t take action nothing will happen. She told me as she was leaving that she could die smiling but a lot of work still had to be done.

I was approached at a party recently by a woman who had once worked in the arts. She told me she went on to get married, raise a family and get a job to pay the bills. She said the most horrendous thought to me. That in some crazy notion in her eyes she had FAILED. I was like FAILED from what? She was upset she left the ARTS her once PASSION. To me firstly anyone who raises a child or a family that is one of the most selfless acts on the planet. I called her a HERO but had to explain that life is not a SPRINT but a MARATHON so if you wanted a career in the ARTS or whatever career that there was nothing stopping her. Never kill that creative that’s locked up inside you. All I asked was that she would never and I repeat never call herself a failure again.

We all need a tool or a method to make us laugh or giggle. I come home, turn up some of my favourite songs and just dance and sing around my kitchen like a lunatic. Just for me and nobody else. Music has always been a great tool for me for creative writing but also letting off steam and just doing the most ridiculous dance moves on my kitchen floor. But hey, different strokes for different folks. But find a way that you can let off some steam and just have a giggle. Be that child again in whatever platform.

Life is a marathon not a sprint. It’s ok to get lost but just enjoy the journey and if you are not happy in day to day life try and make those small changes today.

I believe in you. Shine On.

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December 1, 2015/0 Comments/by Alison