Finding permission to pursue my own dreams, by Josh Radnor

<p>Tuxedo-clad, face covered in makeup, hair slicked and parted in the middle, jumping around a creaky stage, teenage Josh Radnor (now an actor, producer and director) makes a life-changing discovery: He can act. And he loves it. But what to do now? At 16 years old, all Josh knows is that his ambition to act is at odds with everything that surrounds him, and with what he thinks his family expects of him. He can’t imagine the future he is born to live — that is, until a guidance counselor calls him into her office. With a stern order to never stop acting, Josh is seen for the first time. He must borrow courage from that high school guidance counselor until he finds his own courage onstage.</p><p>Sign up for the&nbsp;<a href="http://eepurl.com/gyDGgD" target="_blank">Meditative Story</a>&nbsp;newsletter, to get an episode reminder and a meditation in your inbox each Saturday:</p><p>http://eepurl.com/gyDGgD</p><p>Follow us on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/MeditativeStory" target="_blank">Twitter</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/MeditativeStory/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>:</p><p>https://twitter.com/MeditativeStory</p><p>https://www.instagram.com/MeditativeStory/</p><p>If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the&nbsp;<a href="https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/" target="_blank">U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline</a>&nbsp;at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or&nbsp;<a href="https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/" target="_blank">chat online.</a></p>