Lainie Smith shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Lainie, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Today, and most days, I find INTEGRITY most important. I feel one can have intelligence and not have integrity. One might also have great energy without having integrity. One may even have both intelligence AND energy, and still not have integrity. I feel certain, however, that in one who has Integrity, you will also find Intelligence and Energy.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Introduction
First and foremost, I want to thank you for the opportunity to chat with your readers again. When last we spoke, it was a rather simple chat about my family, my history, and my acting endeavors, and my dreams. While my history and family haven’t changed, my endeavors and dreams have grown. I’ve put myself out there and it has moved me forward. I like that. I’ve taken chances with my writing: I’ve stepped outside of my acting, and I’ve thrown my name into that hat to produce a few short films. Producing was not something I realized I could do but the first project I produced needed what I had to offer, and I jumped in! The energy it took from start to finish was incredible, and while I needed rest after completion, I was still energized! It was my physical being that needed rest, and my brain needed sleep, but I was still running on High, still charged with the energy of it all!
I told myself “I will not do this again” after the first project was complete, I told myself I will not do this again, but then I did — twice more! LOL! What I understand that to mean to me today, is after 3 projects — no project is produced in the same way. Each project has something different to offer, something else or new to learn, therefore each project brings new “treasures” to my life. Treasures that truly bring me so much joy! So, I realize that what I mean to say is that I will NOT do this again… not exactly in the same way. Because with each project, I take away something new, having learned something different. I grow a little every time and that for me, is Beautiful. Case and point, I started a small film company called CLEVER GIRL FILMS — is that not the cutest!!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
It’s always sad to me when bonds are broken between people. In my experience with bonds being broken, I think bonds break from the lack of care a bond requires. It’s easy to say “we bonded”. I feel, the struggle in keeping a bond begins with understanding that a bond can be broken — much like trust. Once it’s broken, it’s a difficult injury to repair. A bond is a fragile connection–not anything actually tangible. Hold it too tightly {with assumption], gripping it as if it “belongs”, smothering it, suffocating it, not allowing the bond to live and grow in truth and love, can and most likely will break it.
I believe our first bond is conception. A mother to an unborn child. The child at birth brings truth to that bond. Mother and child grow from there with love and trust. Imagine that bond not being allowed growth, or no space to thrive or to flourish. Truth is Bonds should be honored by both or all sides, otherwise it only takes one to break it.
If there is actually a way to repair that break, I don’t know what it is — I can only guess that the break is really of the heart and if it was a really strong bond, then perhaps it could be of the soul as well. Either way, it’s a hurtful time. Analogy to breaking a glass. Glass is fragile so handle with care. Maybe you didn’t mean to break–still broken. You want to repair it, perhaps out of love. So, you gather the pieces and repair the glass. As you put it back together, you possibly can understand how things fit, but the fit of that particular glass will not be what it was – it will not be pristine. Maybe that’s okay, maybe not–that’s on the other side of the break. If you’re lucky enough to be able to drink from that glass again, know that the scars from that break will always be there. So, maybe the only true Restoration is to understand we all have scars; lessons learned. #livewithpurpose
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Jeez — At this stage of my life, there is so much to put into ONE KIND THING! Wow. Looking back, I had a great support system, starting with my sister with whom I shared room, until she left for college. It was hard on me when she left; I almost felt like I wasn’t sure who to be if I couldn’t see her every day. But then the day after she left, I realized I now had my very own room! LOL! So, first thing to tell the younger me “GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT”. #patienceisavirtue
After she left, I spent more time following my older brother around, and while he was always “kind” to me, I heard stories through friends of tag-along kid sisters and brothers, but I knew he loved me. As we got older and he had interest in girls, he would come to me for my thoughts, and I loved that. It was powerful. So, second thing to tell my younger self, “GROW TO BE A PERSON WHOSE OPINION MATTERS TO OTHERS”. #itisntacompetition
In the right-now, maybe last thing I would say to my younger self, “Stand up for yourself. Don’t just give away your power.” Most people have their own: leave it to Karma to have its way with the greedy. Work hard, work smart. Know your worth –Understand where you come from. Seek the Joy and most of all, Be kind… you just never know when you’ll need it yourself”. #reciprocate #itsthejourney
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, I love the everyday things I do, or I just don’t do them. I sometimes have to find the fun in a few of the things I do but when I find it, I have no problem repeating redoing reliving it in public. It’s usually with friends and I love my friends, my tribe, my people! I get a kick out of playing dress up or dress down. I’m a strong believer in people being who they are. One of my favorite lines is “No Judgement” but in all honesty, a lot of that does happen. For me tho, it just doesn’t carry much weight. That said, there are of course times when the weight of being judged is hurtful to me or someone I love, and that’s when Who I Am (my public persona) can become something people aren’t used to seeing. I am a Virgo after all, so maybe we leave it at that. LOL #dontjudgeme
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
Again, just ONE story? Oh my gosh, I hope there are so many stories, they could possibly make a few movies out them LOL!!
When it’s all said and done though, of course I would very much appreciate hearing “she was a true friend” “a good soul” “always had a smile” “always kind” “a light in the dark”.
I love so much to laugh with people, with my friends, even with people I don’t know. My Dad used to say “always leave ‘em laughing”.
So, my hope is at the very least, should someone miss me or should a memory of me cross someone’s mind, I hope somehow that memory causes them to smile. They don’t have to say anything- just smile.
#peacebewithyou
“ Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am the thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on Snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle Autumn rain.
As you wake with morning’s hush ,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight,
I am the day transcending night
Do not stand by my grave and cry
I am not there
I did not die.”
-Clare Harner
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lainiesmith.com
- Instagram: @laisniesmith.actor
- Facebook: @LainieSmith
