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Gabrielle Miller - Secrets Revealed
Interviewed by Barbara Goodman
With a whole new experience ahead, Gabrielle Miller opens her heart to reveal her passions and her love for the world.
Q and A with Gabrielle Miller
Q: Six very busy years with two of Canada's most popular sitcoms Corner Gas and Robson Arms. Now that they're over, what's next?
Gabrielle: What a great chapter of my life, an amazing ride. And although I enjoyed it very much, I'm happy that it's time to move on. It feels like it all happened the way it should for me. Since we wrapped, my husband and I bought a house near my family in the Kootenays, BC. We've been able to do lots of 'normal' family things like hanging out and making dinners together. There wasn't a lot of time to spend good chunks with my family between the two shows. I'm excited to find new projects; to tell a different story, and have a different experience.
Q: Is there anything in particular?
Gabrielle: I've never been attached to a particular idea. It's inside, a personal feeling. When I read a script and it moves me or I relate to it, that's what matters. I'll know right away when I find it. I really love what I've done, now I'm ready for something different.
Q: Have you done much in LA?
Gabrielle: Not much. I lived in Los Angeles on and off over the years. But here's the funny thing about being Canadian: I'd go to LA, get settled and then get called to do a job in Vancouver. So I ended up coming home a lot to work, which is where I want to be anyway near my family and friends.
Q: You mention your family and friends endearingly. It seems like they're your juice.
Gabrielle:Yes, my family and friends are my juice. They're very important to me. I have a fairly large family � there are six kids.
Q: Where do you fall in line?
Gabrielle: I'm the second eldest. But, I fit the stereotypes of the eldest because Shanti, my older sister, has a developmental disability as well as cerebral palsy. Then I have two younger brothers and two sisters.
Q: I understand Shanti was the first to have a microboard in BC.
Gabrielle: Yes she was, since '88, '89 (Gabrielle says proudly). It gives her independence and she feels that she's able to contribute to the world, not just be a part of it. And that's the objective of the microboard; it's a small group of family and friends that create a non-profit society, to empower people with disabilities to lead fulfilling and independent lives. Shanti enjoys talking about her microboard to help others. She travels to seminars across Canada and North America to speak about what it has done for her life � what could have happened, what did happen and how it changed the landscape of our family. She melts peoples' fear of possibly doing or saying the wrong thing by easing their misconceptions and misunderstandings. Most people don't have any experience in this area so it's hard to understand. The contribution Shanti makes is so great because it's about being yourself and she does that so well. She's the perfect model for all of us. We'll go somewhere and she'll announce to everyone that she's in a wheelchair and has cerebral palsy, then introduces herself and me. She puts people immediately at ease.
Q: Not only are you a part of Shanti's microboard, but you donate a lot of your time to a number of non-profits including World Vision. What inspired you to align with them?
Gabrielle: It was something I felt very deeply. I love my work, and feel blessed to be doing something that is creative and fulfills me. But it wasn't enough. I wanted to be more connected and more proactive in raising awareness in the world; to be part of something bigger. I told a girlfriend about my dream to work with World Vision and to travel with them in the off season. Unknown to me, she phoned them on my behalf, and a few weeks later called to let me know World Vision wanted to work with me, and wondered when would I be ready to go to Mali! It's changed my life in more ways then I imagined. Experiencing the incredible beauty and generosity of the people, spending time with the children and making such good friends has created a deep connection to Africa for me. My visits to Africa have been such a lesson in the resilience of the human spirit, of how incredibly strong and amazing it is. Spiritually, I've never experienced generosity from people the way I did in Africa. People who have so very, very little opened their arms, hearts, homes and spirits to us � everything. It's pretty incredible. It's so wrong that there's such a huge gap between the 'haves' and 'have nots' � it's hard to describe and very emotional. Experiencing the depth of their poverty and their living conditions really did something to my soul.
Q: It seems that those who have little are more open to giving.
Gabrielle: I've witnessed that virtue in many places, including my neighbourhood where people are struggling with major issues like mental health, addictions and poverty. One of the things I do is say, "Hi." They're always kind, smile back and ask how my day is. There are different ways of giving; acknowledging everyone with a little kindness is just another. The world is pretty beautiful at the bottom of it all. It's sad we don't have solutions for the overwhelming issues of poverty in the world. Hopefully, things will change sooner rather than later for people living in substandard situations. It's heartbreaking. This is one of the main reasons I wanted to work with World Vision. I can help make change and see it first hand. On my initial visit to Mali, I experienced the opening of a well. This was the very first time this village had access to clean water. The closest well was kilometres away. The children were unable to go to school because they had to walk with their moms to bring water back to their village. It took all day. A clean water well has quite a ripple effect: not only does it help that village, it helps surrounding villages. Villagers don't have to travel so far, children can go to school, and illness is reduced � many things are affected by having clean water. All things we take for granted in Canada. What an amazing sight when the well started gushing water. A celebration, singing, dancing. Such happiness and tears of joy, including mine. I felt so humbled and extremely honoured to be participating in and witnessing this joyous moment. It was absolutely unforgettable!
Q: How do you connect to your spirituality, Gabrielle?
Gabrielle: That's been a big part of my life since I was a little girl. I have a really strong spiritual base that I still hold within me. I grew up meditating with my father every morning. Now I do it differently with walks in nature and quiet time with myself.
Q: Is there anything you feel you've missed out on or would like to change?
Gabrielle: No. If anything was different, then I wouldn't be who or where I am now. Sometimes, I think it would have been fun to have studied more by going to university. But, if I'd done that then maybe I wouldn't have found acting at such a young age and then I wouldn't be where I am today. I truly don't have any regrets.
Q: Pivotal moments in your life you'd like to share?
Gabrielle: Career-wise was when my Mom and I had a housecleaning business together called 'Have Broom Will Travel'. I was 17. The pivotal moment came when I was cleaning the bathroom of two girls I went to school with after they had a party. They were downstairs making pancakes while I was cleaning. The advice my mother gave at the time inspired me to concentrate on my acting and is a big reason I'm where I am today.
Q: What's the perfect day for Gabrielle?
Gabrielle: I've been having so many lately. It's been great. A perfect day includes spending time with my family; having a morning free where my husband and I can just hang out and go for a walk in our neighbourhood, or do something creative. I love going to the theatre or an art gallery. I've had such a busy six years between the two shows that it's a luxury to be able to relax, make a nice dinner and share it with family or friends. Simple yet perfect.
Q: Your biggest indulgence?
Gabrielle: My favourite thing is sitting in my infrared sauna with one of my favourite magazines. I love doing that. Sweating makes me feel good.
Q: Any regular routines to take care of you?
Gabrielle: Taking time in nature and getting plenty of fresh air; that's really important for my soul. And w'lking on the beach with a girlfriend. I enjoy pilates. I�ve been boxing for quite a few years on and off. And now I workout with Kettle bells a lot � it�s awesome and keeps me fit.
Q: How do you envision Gabrielle at 70?
Gabrielle: I'd love to be surrounded by a big family. I hope I'm still active, working and loving it. And I'd like to live near the ocean.
Q: What's the best advice you could give a friend?
Gabrielle: The same advice I hope they would give me, or I'd give myself: not to be too hard on yourself. I'm harder on myself than anybody else. We all should love ourselves the way we love others.
Q:How are you hard on yourself?
Gabrielle: I tend to drive myself too hard. Since the shows have ended, I've made a conscious effort to relax, to do the things I need to do for me so that I can continue to do what I love. It's important to take time to regroup and centre yourself if you've had an intense time, whatever your experience. If all your focus has been funnelled into a particular area, when that ends you have to allow it to move out of you so you can find your strength and inspiration, because now it's going to be different. It's hard to get to a place where you�re feeling joy and excitement when you're tired and drained from life.
Q: What advice would you share with women to inspire them to follow their dreams?
Gabrielle: Nurture what makes you unique. Protect it and be proud of it. Don't be afraid of what moves you to do what you feel passionate about it. You don't have to play it safe all the time. There�s a reason why you're feeling that way and it's important to follow it. Also, it's okay to have bumps along the road. Things aren't always easy, but in the end if you're doing it for the right reasons, it's definitely worth it.
Q: What makes Gabrielle unique?
Gabrielle: I think I have a big heart. I think I'm smart. I'm happy. And I think I'm awkward. I'm shy and feel I put my foot in my mouth a lot. I don't know if these make me unique, but these are things I feel about myself.
Q: What's helped develop your inner confidence?
Gabrielle: You know, that's funny, since I didn't have an easy childhood. I was so incredibly, painfully shy. With a big family, we struggled financially and also moved around a lot. Because of our situation and starting new schools so often, I was pushed into overcoming my fears. Overcoming isn't the right word, because it's a constant in life. Every step I've taken, especially the big ones, have been scary. I've learned that the growth and the goodness come from stepping into and through your fear. The payoff is SO big.
Q: Do you have mentors that embody this for you?
Gabrielle: Currently, I find Barack Obama inspirational. His election has brought a sense of hope worldwide. We were in Africa for his inauguration and there were celebrations everywhere. My first crush was Gandhi. When I was little, my father brought me to the movie, and bought me his books. It doesn't have to be somebody in the public eye. It's wonderful that they use their recognition to inspire and move people in a positive direction. But sometimes we get lost in thinking that other people's lives are so different or more magical. The people who inspire me the most are everyday people handling the stresses of life. Doing the things that take a lot of strength. Bringing up their kids and being loving. I'm inspired daily, often by people closest to me. We tend not to see those around us who are inspiring. It's really about all of us living in our humanness and respecting one another.
Q: Gabrielle, if you had a magic wand what would you love to create?
Gabrielle: I'd reach into everyone's heart and find the empathy switch. I think that understanding and feeling connected to our fellow human beings is a big part of life. I think with all the distractions that go along with being in this world, we get lost and that's a huge part of the problems in the world today.
Thank you so much Gabrielle for sharing the inner, soulful secrets of who you are, how you approach your life and your passion to participate fully in the world.