To do the work you love, you’ve got to unlock a few doors. UNLOCKED Stories are honest conversations with people who chose a path and made it happen.
A note from Ellen: Do you ever feel like you have “too many” passions or “too many” great ideas and it’s impossible to choose “just one,” especially when it comes to your career? I can completely relate to that feeling. So can my friend Elizabeth Rainer, the multi-talented woman who is sharing her story with us today.
Elizabeth is an actress, artist, photographer, chef, creative retreat leader, blogger, and the founder of Little Box of Joy, a new company where you can order a “mystery box” full of enchanting surprises and have it delivered to your doorstep. (So sweet!)
During our conversation, Elizabeth described her career to me as a “patchwork quilt.”
A collection of various passions and skills, all lovingly stitched together to create her very own “dream career.”
As you read along, I invite you to ask yourself, “What are my biggest passions? What do I love to do? How could I stitch several passions together to create a beautiful ‘quilt’ that feels just right for me?”
Your career really can be any kind of “quilt” that you want it to be…
What do you do?
[Elizabeth]: I am an actress, artist, photographer, chef, and creative retreat leader..
That’s a long, beautiful string of “job titles.” Tell us about your acting work, first.
[Elizabeth]: The theater company that I work for is called Living Voices.
Through Living Voices, I perform one-woman educational outreach programs across the country. Each show combines live theatre with archival film footage. The programs range in topics from Anne Frank and the Holocaust, to the women’s suffrage movement, to immigration through Ellis Island at the turn of the century.
I feel proud of this educational work and grateful that I can teach through my acting.
In addition to acting, you also do photography and other forms of visual art. Tell us more about that.
[Elizabeth]: Every day, I post a photograph on my blog, Little Cup of Beauty. I enjoy going out into the world and finding beauty even in the most tattered or unusual places. The practice of looking at the world through the lens of beauty has enriched my life.
Two or three times a year, I also co-lead an event called the Radiant Life Retreat with my dear friend, Heidi Rose Robbins. We gather circles of women together for several days of rest, play, music, art, food, ritual, and astrology. It’s such a unique experience—so peaceful and restorative—and so much fun! It’s like summer camp for grown-ups. I can’t wait for the upcoming retreat in March in Ojai, California!
You’ve been able to create a career that blends all of your passions in interesting ways. If there’s a “theme” or a “purpose” that ties all of your various projects together, what would it be?
[Elizabeth]: That theme would probably be… “transformation.” I try to create an experience of transformation with everything that I do.
When I am onstage, performing in one of my shows, my hope is that each person in the audience walks away from the performance feeling educated, inspired, and transformed in some way.
Off the stage, I love creating art, ceremony, ritual, making things sacred and unlocking beauty. At the retreats that I co-lead with my friend Heidi, I provide food and music and I love creating a nourishing atmosphere where people can experience that feeling of transformation, too.
When an experience touches your heart and “changes” you, in a positive way, that is pure magic. I love creating those types of experiences, onstage, offstage, at retreats, through food, all kinds of ways!
Your job sounds so magical! But, just between you and me and the Internet, are there any aspects of your profession that you don’t like?
[Elizabeth]: I have to do quite a bit of traveling for my job. Sometimes I will be “on the road” for three or four weeks at a time.
While I love to explore new places, being away from home for such long periods of time can be tiring. I definitely love flying home to my own nest. (My husband is always happy to see me walk through the door.)
How do you begin your day? What’s your favorite morning ritual?
[Elizabeth]: I love starting my day with a big mug of hot tea with cream. My favorite is Harney & Sons Earl Grey Supreme with a touch of Paris. It is a yummy combination. I use loose tea and make a whole pot.
When you’re having a difficult or stressful day, how do you get through it?
[Elizabeth]: When I am really stressed out, I might call a friend or lay on the floor.
But the thing that has consistently helped me through the years has been to go on a walk. Walking calms me down and smoothes out all my crinkles.
If I am upset or need to work something out, the best remedy is to put on my walking shoes and step out into the day.
What has been the most challenging moment of your career thus far?
[Elizabeth]: Early in my acting career, I got cast in a Broadway show. I felt like I had finally “made it”. I was so happy. But then, due to a personal conflict, I was let go and I lost the part. I was stunned. It was hard for me to understand what had happened.
How did you get through that “locked door” moment?
[Elizabeth]: I cried a lot, took long walks and talked with friends. I was also writing in a journal every day during that time. I was writing what Julia Cameron calls “the morning pages.” That daily writing practice helped me to throw my pain onto the page.
Not long after that, I moved across the country and began a new chapter. I was able to dust myself off and continue with the work I love.
Do you ever fantasize about having a totally different career? What would you do, in your fantasy-world?
[Elizabeth]: The nice thing about my life now is that I get to combine all the little snippets of things that I like into one big ol’ crazy quilt of a career.
But… I will say this: I once played Peter Pan and had the enormous fun of being able to fly in the production. I do fantasize about really being able to fly!
Who are your personal heroes and role models?
[Elizabeth]: Juliette Binoche, Cate Blanchett, Helen Mirren, Vivian Maier, Deborah Madison, Kate Bush, Paula Moderson Becker, Paul Klee, Joseph Campbell and my truly wonderful mom.
What’s the next project that you’re unveiling for the world?
[Elizabeth]: I am currently working on my new project called Little Box of Joy which blends art, ritual, and sacred celebration… with snail mail!
Basically, I am offering a mystery box full of surprises that gets tailored to you and shipped to your doorstep.
You can check it out here.
Last but not least: what is your biggest piece of advice for anyone who wants to do amazing work in the world, stay motivated, and unlock major doors?
[Elizabeth]: Everything that I am doing now required me to face tremendous fear of failure or rejection.
One of my motivations has always been the mantra “TRUST IN LOVE.”
Every time I start to worry that the sky is falling, I ask myself, “What do I love most?”
I try to follow what I love most.
This brings me back on track and reminds me that I have so much to be grateful for.
Unlock Yourself
Three questions to think about, write about—or talk about with a friend.
1. Elizabeth has lots of passions and skills: acting, photography, music, cooking, leading retreats and rituals. Rather than choosing “just one” pursuit to focus on, full time, she has figured out a way to swirl several passions together.
What are 5 – 6 of your biggest passions or skills? If you could wave a magic wand and swirl them all together to create your fantasy job or career, what would that look like?
2. Elizabeth says that “taking a walk” is her favorite way to de-stress and clear her mind.
What’s your favorite de-stressing activity? Could you make some time for it today?
3. Elizabeth’s latest project is a side-business called Little Box of Joy. You can order a mystery box full of delightful surprises and Elizabeth ships it to you!
Do you enjoy writing letters, mailing gifts, or doing “random acts of kindness” for people, just to brighten their day? What’s your favorite way to “make someone’s day”? Is there a way that you could turn that passion into a business or side-business? What would that look like?
For more UNLOCKED interviews, click over here.
Know somebody that ought to be spotlighted? Write to me here.
See you next time for another inspiring conversation!