Chris Burkmenn's Blog

In life I think back on my journey, and I think about the things that truly matter along the road thus far. I remember people along the way that have encouraged me and supported me. I think most of us in life would agree that encouragement is so important. Most us crave the cheerleaders in life that root for us along the way. Many of us have our parents that have been a source of encouragement, our siblings can often offer support. Hopefully each of you have had a teacher or boss that have encouraged you as well. Looking back on my life I have had some great support in chasing my dreams. I remember I was in the 8th grade at Mascoutah Middle School when I auditioned to host our talent show. I was truly nervous and I had some people that told me I’d never get it. I remember walking into the audition and being so nervous, filled with doubt and fear that it would be impossible to get. I remember auditioning for two grade school teachers, Mrs. Furgeson and Mrs. Bower, I remember wal...

When I think of life and I think of the struggles that each of face everyday, I often feel discouraged. I am not sure why but lately has been more tough than ever before. I’ve had multiple conversations with my friends and they are full of encouragement, and there advice truly hold weight in my heart and in my mind. There is one place however that I need to address more attention and focus to and that it my spirit. What excites me, what motivates me, and what drives me? Much of my focus can tend to be on myself and I work really hard at putting it on others. In life I am learning that it is such a balance. We must commit energy to others, but we must also make time for ourselves. I often burn myself before I realize this notion and every time I do I think next time it will be different I will catch myself before I burn. I am still working on it, but I believe I am learning through it all. What has been inspiring me as of late is the story of Joseph and also the story of Peter ...

Falling back: Harold Lloyd in Safety Last   Photo: Rex I often put pressure on myself to get somewhere, using my own strength to reach these places that "I need to get to." I put a lot of effort into working hard and pressing on. It sometimes becomes a bit much. You can burn out quickly if you are constantly working and rarely enjoying the meaningful parts of life. I was having a conversation with a friend the other day. We were talking about how we work so hard and sometimes it feels as though you are running in circles trying to get somewhere.  We were chatting about how when the most life defining moments happen, they are often accomplished with using no force. It's as though the opportunity had been waiting for us forever and we just needed to wait for that perfect timing. I am learning in life that it's all about timing (and I know what you're thinking reading this yes you are exactly right it's all about timing.) Honestly, we often say it, but...

In a time where social media is at the tip of our fingers. A culture that has been groomed to broadcast their successes, dreams, and experiences; we are given a glimpse into the lives of our peers.  So easily scrolling through someone meeting their favorite celebrity, reaching the finish line(race, cancer, graduation,) achieving a dream(music, acting, modeling.) As friends we share in each others achievements and grieve in their setbacks. We are the first to wish a congratulations, liking a photo, sharing a post. We respond, "That is incredible." Supporting them as a good friend should.  What we don't realize is that while we are seeing our friends broadcast their lives, we don't know the full story. We don't understand what went into those achievements, and sometimes we gain resentment for them. We don't know what people go through in their walk of life. We can't take everything posted on Facebook as their complete success. Perception is everyt...

So often we go through life and have ourselves almost convinced that God has somehow forgotten about us. We confuse our finances with the notion that God is neglecting us. As if we had done something wrong to deserve a setback. I was at McDonalds this evening drinking a Diet Dr. Pepper and watching the people around me. I saw this woman sobbing and apologizing to her husband for how sorry she was. How she wished she could have changed their current situation. She had major dental work done today and was still in shock with the bill. She was standing at the Coke station and telling her husband that this was not what she had wanted, and that she would have rather gone on a trip. She seemed so convinced that this situation was bigger than God and that he had forgotten about her. That she was alone with no one looking out for her. I wanted to touch her hand and let her know that God had not forgotten about her. I overheard her apologizing to the cashier saying, "I am sorry I am so...

To get places you must have transportation in order to arrive at your destination. You can travel by car, train, plane, boat, bike, and etc... Some of the vehicles can get you where you are going a little faster, but they all have the ability to get you there. Transportation can occasionally allow you to get where you are going a little quicker than walking/running. When most of us want to get somewhere we usually think of the fastest way possible. Whether it be taking a short cut driving, flying a plane, or even a helicopter. Why is that? It's because we want to arrive as fast as possible, and we usually are in a hurry. Rushing just as quick as we can. Resenting any obstacle in our path along the way. Throwing our hands up in the air when we are cut off driving on the road. Because it set us back from getting to where we are ultimately are trying to get. Those things often serve as a distraction. Taking our attention off of the destination and onto the tiny situation that is...

Ever since I was a young boy I have been a big dreamer. Always believing that nothing could stop me. That there was not a goal to big. Nothing that could not be reached. Starting when I first saw the show on Nickelodean, Kenan and Kel. I believed that I could be an actor. And I knew that one day I would be on that show. Several of you know, that I used to pretend I was Carson Daly hosting TRL in the mirror when I was a kid. To be honest, Sometimes I still do. My dreams have always been so much bigger than myself, and at the time I thought I alone could reach them. Until one day I gave the Lord everything that I had. Every desire, goal, ambition, and my whole heart. Making Jesus my Lord and savior. He has taught me so much through my walk, teaching me patience and trust. Many other things he has taught me, and without him I wouldn't be anywhere near these goals. He is my all, he is my everything. He is the reason that I get up in the morning. If it had not been for Jesus ...

When you think of a story, the first thing you think of is a book. When you think of books, you may think of some of the greatest stories ever told. The Bible, Pride and Prejudice, To Kill a Mockingbird, Gone with the Wind, Night, The Book Thief, and The Hunger Games. The one thing about these books, they all have stories to tell. They are filled with adventure, Love, Set back, Set up, Tragedies, Death, and Pain. The stories in these books are all worth telling. From the beginning to end they paint the picture of what the author is trying to convey. Stories can also be found in songs, and some of the greatest story tellers ever are songwriters. Our generation has been blessed with epic songs that will go on to be timeless. Taylor Swift, love her or hate her, has been blessed with the extraordinary talent of making you a part of the story. Her songs can make you smile, make you angry, and possibly even make you cry. Other greats Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton, James Taylor, and C...

In life things will come against you, and the results will not always be what you hoped for. Being rejected for a role, Losing a job, a Car repair, or failing a class. These are just a few of the examples that life tends to throw us. Many times it's hard to accept. How do I proceed? How did I end up here? I am good person, how could God let this happen? So many questions with very few answers. It can be discouraging when all we see is what before us. The obstacles of life, and we often overlook the promises God has spoken over our lives. I can forget that God has told me so often in the Bible. One of my favorites is Psalm 23: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff t...

As an actor and a person, one of the hardest things to do is move on. Moving forward has always been a challenge of mine because I don't always adapt well to change. I think that I love change, but then when it gets here I do everything I can to avoid it. I have talked about this in past posts, but a reminder never hurts. That being said, this week I am moving into a new apartment. A new apartment with a new roommate. I have been packing boxes this evening and going through things that bring a smile to my face from the past. It amazing the things that you accumulate from different seasons in your life. It's even hard to decide what to keep and what to get rid of, especially when you are moving. In my current apartment I never really quite settled. I was never quite comfortable so there were a lot things that I never took out of the boxes. Since moving to Nashville, I have moved 8 times in about 4 years. I am quite ready to not have to move again for a little while. My ...

In life I am learning the dreams that are inside of me will not be achieved without the hard work it takes to get there. For each of us that will look different, and neither road will be easier. We all must overcome something to get where we are going in our life journey. You may be working a dead end job that may seem as though it will last for ever. Someone beside you may come from a family that is financially secure, but has to overcome obstacles of being discounted their entire life.  Others may be required to set their pride aside for the sake of their job. It may be assisting someone, working for free, and the list can go on. We all must walkthrough less than ideal circumstances, but the reward shall be greater than anything we had ever hoped. For the heart of a servant shall be greatly rewarded. When we seek nothing for the work we do, but just to be a light in the dark. Be the great example the world needs, and not in your own strength. Rely on the Lord, and you w...

In life I can tend to take things for granted, and one of those being my health. Something that seems to always be there in my life. Something that I don't always thank the Lord for. Most days it as though it's expected as the routine in my life. I get up in the morning and just assume that everything will go my way through the day. That I will be able to go as quickly as possible at my serving job, and be at my maximum activity level in my working out. Also composing myself to settle down for the evening to sleep. Today I was at my job in Cool Springs where I work as a server. I was going through the normal routine, when I was going much quicker on the job than I should have. When I was filling the ice tea urns, and my co worker noticed that the tea was much lighter than it should have been. Thinking to myself, I wonder what is going on. Before even wasting another moment, I quickly grabbed the basket which holds the filter and tea package. The basket was full of boili...

Image available at mattdelarosby.com  Have you ever visited the doctor and the office has been so swamped with people. Feeling as though you have been waiting for hours to see the doctor. Seating in this white room and looking through the same magazine 15 times. Even though you have already looked through it once, you are so bored you think you might have skipped something that might be worth reading. Then you sit growing very anxious to get over with this waiting, so that you can see the doctor. You begin to get frustrated because you can't help but think, what is taking so long. Tapping your leg with the overgrowing thoughts in your mind. Finally having your name called and getting up to be taken back to see the doctor. Lately my life has felt as though I am in waiting. So many things have required me to wait: Paychecks, Goals, and living situations. All things that I am unable to control, but are something that I need in order to proceed. Today I was driving when it al...

As I live I learn that my life is a work in progress. There are times when I wish that I was further than I am, but that leaves room to grow. If I was where I wanted to be right now where would I go from there. How could God work in my life to show me his amazing grace and compassion to get me there. As an actor you are constantly searching for that defining role. Something that will bring the dream to life. Most of us spend our whole life chasing it. We are all constantly on the journey to arriving who we are to be. We all have the opportunity in front of us. Each decision we make is shaping us into that person. Don't fear about making the right or the wrong decision because there is no rule book. There are guidelines and that is Bible. It's kind of like if you were a car, and you came with an instruction manual.  Giving you the understanding of how your car works, and what you need to do to take care of it. If you don't obey the rules you will still run, but you w...

Walking in the journey of my life, I am learning through everything the Lord wants to keep me humble. No matter how much success I may think I am experiencing, He constantly reminds me that nothing I have ever been given was earned in my own strength. I have walked through so pretty amazing opportunities the last 4 years of my life. Starting by stepping out in faith by moving to Nashville, and then most recently leaving my full time job to pursue my dreams of working in the industry. To make ends meet I serve at Logan's Roadhouse. It has been such an extreme blessing, and gives me the opportunity to be very flexible with working in the industry. I am able to have someone cover my shifts or request off if I know a terrific opportunity is coming. That is a true benefit of being a server. It also is a ministry in it's own right, I get to the hands and feet to Jesus. I consider it a great honor. I learn daily that no matter what I go through, people don't care. They wan...

Along the journey of your dreams, you will gain little victories that will make it worth every bit of the struggles. For me I had one the other day. Since I have moved to Nashville I have been trying to start a show of my own. The vision for what I wanted to do has stayed true, but small things have changed along the way. I was asked last month to start a webisode with Aud Co Nashville as I have discussed in past posts. The last one we taped was great content, but the video quality was nothing I could use to add to my reel. This past Tuesday September 17th we shot our second "The Chris Burkmenn Experience" with Jenn Bostic. The results blew my mind. Jenn always brings the energy everywhere that she goes. She had just arrived back to the states from the UK. What an amazing trooper she is! Jenn wasn't feeling very well, but she came and helped me anyway. She marched through her performance with flying colors, and met with everyone in a meet and greet with a big smil...

As I lay awake in bed with so many racing thoughts in my mind, the only logical thing I could thing to do was write. Lately life has been so crazy, and it's not even always that exciting. I have had so many decisions that need to be made in my life and sometimes I just don't want to make them. In my acting journey I started a new project which came out of nowhere. I work for AudCo Nashville, and we have been trying to get audience to our CMT tapings for quite sometime. People love to meet entertainers. They want to meet artists that have stories to tell, and songs to be heard. They don't really care if there famous, but they love the possibility that they could. Through that need we were able to create a webisode, and I was asked to host it. Which is so funny because in the past when I had great ideas they always seemed to fail, but this was my co-worker Mistys idea. She said that I should host a show and stream it on the internet. I thought WOW! What an incredible ...