Jim Carrey on Doing, Having, and Being Enough

Jim Carrey made his name as a comic actor. His antics and exaggerated expressions earned him loads of fans, movies, and money.

But now, he’s stepped away from his Hollywood life.

No more glitzy balls or awards ceremonies. No more glamour. No more living in the public eye.

In an interview, he shared how he came to realize some personal truths. He said,

“I’ve done enough.
I have enough.
I am enough.
Now, I just like putting paint onto canvas.”

Given the option of how to spend his time, he’s choosing a personal pursuit.

He could easily keep acting. He could do commercials and ads around the globe for obscene money. He could sip champagne on a private yacht.

But at the end of the day, what is most satisfying and rewarding? What leaves us feeling more fulfilled?

Meaningful Work Can Be the Best Part of the Day

A personal pursuit (be it art, music, woodworking, or any other) feeds us on a deeper level. It lets us grow and evolve.

A personal pursuit allows us to improve over time. We get to feel our progress and explore new angles.

And it doesn’t have to consume every minute.

We can step away for months or years, and come back whenever we like, like a family home that always has a light on.

Priorities Change Over Time

As we move through life, the veils of the material world will fall away.

Our bodies change. Our motivations change. What used to matter more will come to matter less.

At one time, fame and fortune were the holy grail to Jim Carrey. He worked hard for them.

Eventually, he had enough.

And what felt more right was time spent alone, working on something that mattered to him.

Not to bring more glory, but just to enjoy spending the time.

Hi, I’m Allen Mathews.

I started as a folk guitarist, then fell in love with classical guitar in my 20’s. Despite a lot of practice and schooling, I still couldn’t get my music to flow well. I struggled with excess tension. My music sounded forced. And my hands and body were often sore. I got frustrated, and couldn’t see the way forward. Then, over the next decade, I studied with two other stellar teachers – one focused on the technical movements, and one on the musical (he was a concert pianist). In time, I came to discover a new set of formulas and movements. These brought new life and vitality to my practice. Now I help guitarists find more comfort and flow in their music, so they play more beautifully.
Click here for a sample formula.

Great advise here. I find I am taking more time with the pieces than I would have in the past as I am focusing on the technique you have taught me. It is slower going at first but has fewer frustrations, is easier and sounds better in the end.

~ Karen Richardson

-Karen Richardson

Those videos on practicing the piece were just awesome, Allen! I've always thought that learning songs might be something completely different than practicing exercises, but the way you teach it makes it much easier than I thought. I'm positive that joining the Woodshed has been the best investment I've ever done for learning the classical guitar. Thank you so much for these lessons.

~ Ulysses Alexandre Alves

-Ulysses Alexandre Alves

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