Blending Creativity and Inspiration: Sherry Hursey and ‘Lilly’s Light’

by Heather on December 21, 2011 · 32 comments

Today’s Guest Expert is Sherry Hursey,
Award Winning Actress and Creator of “Lilly’s Light”

You probably recognize actress and vocalist Sherry Hursey, whose wonderful career includes her role as Al’s fiancée, Ilene, on the long running ABC series Home Improvement, and Kirsten Dunst’s mom in the Universal box office hit, Bring It On. What you may not know is that a few years ago, Sherry followed her heart to create a one hour family musical special, Lilly’s Light, to help bring new awareness to children growing up in foster care.

Lilly’s Light is a musical adventure about a foster mom (“Lilly”) who lives in an enchanted lighthouse with a melting pot of foster kids, a few exotic talking pets, and a cast of zany characters. She guides them all through the challenges of growing up, using joy, love and laughter as her tools. Lilly shows everyone that “Life is full of possibilities”! Inspired by Lilly’s Light, she and her partner, Craig Hamilton, founded “Lilly’s Fostering Hearts” a non-profit org advocating for children in foster care.

Sherry is with us today to share more about her journey to creating Lilly’s Light and to answer your questions about living a successful creative and spirit-filled life.

Watch this video about “Lilly’s Light”:

“Lilly’s Light” is a beautiful example of how to blend creativity and inspiration to give birth to a successful project that both pulls you forward and makes a difference for others. Are there any heart-based projects that you would love to move forward with? Please share your thoughts with us below.

* * *

Sherry Hursey

Sherry Hursey is an actress, vocalist, voice over artist, writer and producer, who’s face and voice are very familiar to television and film audiences worldwide. Ms. Hursey has an extensive list of credits spanning from stage to screen, but may be most recognized for her role as Al’s fiancée, Ilene, on the long running ABC series Home Improvement, or Kirsten Dunst’s mom in the Universal box office hit, Bring It On. Diehard fans still remember her as Paula Carson on Days of Our Lives or Murray’s daughter, on the Mary Tyler Moore Show. Sherry has guest starred in dozens of popular television shows, ranging from Happy Days to The Waltons to Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman to Touched By an Angel to NYPD Blue to Nip/Tuck and CSI. Other favorite credits include, working with James Garner in The Rockford Files-I Love LA, the award winning Friendly Fire with Carol Burnett, Hit and Run, Lyin’ Eyes, Prince of Bel Air and working with the beloved Walter Matthau in Mrs. Lambert Remembers Love. Sherry has also enjoyed working as a voice over artist, allowing her to utilize her diverse voice talents in such movies as: Shrek, Madagascar, Freaky Friday, Polar Express, Astro Boy and Monsters vs Aliens, to name a few.

Aside from her film, tv, and stage career, Ms. Hursey is passionate about music, her spiritual journey and sharing her passions with young people. A few years ago, she spread her wings, wrote, produced and starred in a one hour family musical special, Lilly’s Light, her heart project, now airing on Public Television. Inspired by Lilly’s Light, she and her partner, Craig Hamilton, founded “Lilly’s Fostering Hearts” a non-profit org advocating for children in foster care. www.lillyslight.net

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  • http://www.soulfilledlife.com Heather Gray

    Sherry,
    It’s such a pleasure to host you at the Soul-filled Cafe.  Your work is so full of joy — I cannot think of a better way to wrap up 2011 then with your presence as a guest expert today.

    When you and I spoke together, you had mentioned sharing your journey to creating “Lily’s Light” and how you felt guided to do this project.  I would love if you would share more about that here in the comments.  

    Lots of people are looking for ways to follow their “true callings” or higher purpose, so any guidance you can offer us about how you “plug in” or stay connected to your true guidance would be wonderful to hear about as well.

    Sending you love from the (rainy and wet) east. 

    Thanks again for being here and sharing ‘Lily’s Light’ with us.

    ~Heather

  • http://www.soulfilledlife.com Heather Gray

    Today is also our *final* cafe for 2011.  So if you are stopping by to “celebrate” with us, please leave a comment to say hello and share whatever you are moved to share. 

    Thanks for being here.

  • http://lizschneider.net Liz Schneider

    Lilly’s Light looks like the type of show that I would’ve loved for my kids when they were younger! 

    I am interested in your thoughts on the question that Heather posed. on how you stay connected to your inner guidance (and in my case, especially when the rest of life is demanding attention and action, leaving little energy for the dream).

  • http://www.facebook.com/SherryHursey Sherry Hursey

    Good Morning everyone! I’m happy to be here at the Soul-filled Cafe. The season of Joy is in the air at my house and we are celebrating an early Christmas. I’m looking forward to connecting with you throughout the day!

  • Ashley

    Sherry, it’s nice to see you putting so much energy into helping to improve the lives of others. I’m sure you have a lot of choices, and that’s the one you made. :-)

  • http://lisahines.com/ Lisa Hines

    HI Sherry, What a beautiful and creative way to be a guiding “light” for children.  I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started watching. What unfolded was something fun, playful, and powerful.

    Was the inspiration and creativity behind Lilly’s Light, solely your own, or did you work with a group of people from the inception? 

    Also, it’s apparent you’ve had quite a roll of success in your career. What keeps you motivated to succeed? Is it innate, or do you have “best practices” that help keep you moving forward?

    Thank you.
    Lisa

  • http://www.ashleyabbott.ca/ Ashley

    Oh, and I echo Lisa’s question about what motivates you to succeed in your work, what draws you forward, what gets you through the times of doubt?

  • http://www.facebook.com/SherryHursey Sherry Hursey

    Hello Heather and Liz! How bout I answer you together, starting with how I stay connected and then back to when and how I first felt the shift and the guidance that sparked this incredible journey of love, light and laughter with Lilly’s Light. 

    I have found quite simply that allowing myself to take the time (even a moment) to focus on the presence of the Divine in me and enjoy the things that give me the greatest joy, will instantly open me up to the endless supply of energy available, as it feeds my soul and the universe supports this action. I take a breath, say a prayer of gratitude, play piano and sing a song or hold one of my three long haired doxies, who have been great teachers and examples of total trust and surrender or play with my wise and wonderful angel daughters.

    I was not always able to do this and in looking back over my life, I don’t know how I lived as long burning up soooo much energy both physically and emotionally.
    I had always been a rather high energy girl and was so disconnected to my own needs that I would just GoGoGo until I would literally crash and burn. I was motivated by other people, I think, and pleasing and doing what I “should”. 

    Oops, friends have arrived…..I’ll be back!

  • http://www.facebook.com/SherryHursey Sherry Hursey

    Hi everyone….we just opened a few presents, sang a few songs and the fun continues…..so…..back to your questions….even though I have always been a seeker of truth, I had some strong belief systems that blocked me from feeling all the love that is ALWAYS present. 

    For me, an amazing breakthrough came on the heels of a very dark night of the soul. I had lost a dear friend and surrogate mother, ended a destructive marriage, a long running job had come to a close and I had been working to help create a new tv project (someone else’s vision) that I poured my heart, time and money into that ultimately became an abusive situation. It seemed the more I gave, the worse it got! Boy, was the universe trying to get my attention! 

    One afternoon, I hit a very low point and asked God with deep pain and passion “Why did I go through ALL this?” I received an answer right away. It was clear and simple and boy did it get my attention. I stayed quiet and listened. The voice not only answered me, I was also shown a replay of what I had learned from all the experiences leading up to this moment. The voice said, “So you can do this yourself!” Then the voice said, “Get a pad of paper”, so I did. Everything about the concept of Lilly’s Light and it’s message came through and I wrote and wrote. So much of it, I didn’t even see the significance of until much later. The guidance has continued. There are times when I feel a block, but the gift in it, is the opportunity to recognize what I’m putting in the way, so I can release it. I wish I could put this knowing into words. I hope you can feel it!

    I now operate from the knowing that we create it all and I can look back with such gratitude for what I had to create to grow and learn. First, that I was enough, just by being! I had to create a situation where I felt that I could do nothing right, in order to find that it was already perfect. I hope this helps! 

  • http://www.facebook.com/SherryHursey Sherry Hursey

    Hi Ashley! I have found that my motivation is joy and that whatever I do, it has to be always for the love of it. It seems to free me when I have no other agenda. 

    Once the spark for Lilly’s Light was ignited, as I described to Liz below, I just stepped aside and trusted the guidance. I don’t question what I know. I quiet my mind and when I can’t, I ask what am I holding onto or thinking that is not allowing the peace and the love that is mine to have. 

    Leave no room for doubt. Shut the door to it! 

  • http://www.facebook.com/SherryHursey Sherry Hursey

    Thank you Lisa. The inspiration was truly a divine gift to me. I have always been passionate about children and music! When my two step-daughters (Danielle and Tiara) were little, I realized they only watched animated programs on tv, so I started introducing them to live-action musicals. When the concept of “Lilly’s Light” came to me, I knew it had to be live-action. Danielle and Tiara were part of the creative process. My good friend and co-star Philece Sampler co-wrote the script and we had such a flow together. Everyone involved in the production contributed their expertise. I was so excited that incredible professionals like Wiliam Stout (set designer/illustrator) and Jim Linahon (music producer), wanted to join the team.

  • http://lisahines.com/ Lisa Hines

    Beautifully written Sherry!  I may need to borrow that question for when the mind won’t be still.

  • http://lisahines.com/ Lisa Hines

    Sherry, It sounds like it was a divine gift as all the pieces came together so eloquently. Thank you for sharing.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1562987543 Craig Hamilton

    I met Sherry when we were 14 years old and starting high school then, as now, she is always joy-filled and giving.  For her it’s always about the “little extra” whether its producing Lilly’s Light, helping Foster or Homeless kids through Lilly’s Fostering Hearts, caring for her family, singing, or performing in one of her many many television appearances she always puts that extra accessory on the costume, gives that extra backpack to the homeless student, the extra hour with her kids or her mother. She knows her joy and gives to that joy… singing, acting, producing, family, friends, and faith. She creates wonderful things and they are wonderful because they are an expression of her joyful attitude.

  • http://lisahines.com/ Lisa Hines

    Sherry, Your words of wisdom are so healing for many of us.  I recently had my own dark night of the soul with my father’s premature passing. It was only on December 3rd so I’m still dealing with the stages of grief. However, you share something that has been an insight for me as well which is the overall message of:

    - play more
    - stop struggling to make things happen; rather go with the flow
    - celebrate life
    - go for your dreams

    You’ve embodied this and are continuing to enlighten others. Thank you.

    Blessings,
    Lisa

  • http://www.facebook.com/SherryHursey Sherry Hursey

    To answer the last part of your question, Lisa, I never thought about my passions as work, until I was over 10 years in the entertainment business and realized it was my career. I simply did what I loved to do. I think it was a good thing I was just following my bliss, so to speak. The career journey has taken me on the most wonderful spiritual journey, as well.  I can track my growth and development through the choices I’ve made and the experiences I’ve had. 

    I started out as a dancer from the age of three, cause my mom taught dance. I loved it, probably because of the freedom of expression and the music. I was rather shy back then! Hard to believe now! I was in a ballet company at a young age and found myself wanting to relate even more with the audience, (like waving at them in my tutu) so the first chance I had to audition for the stage as an actress came at 13 when I played my first role as Gretel in “Hansel and Gretel” in Columbia, South Carolina. I even met and received a great compliment from Delbert Mann, the Oscar winning director, who was friends with our small theater director. 

    When we moved out west from South Carolina, I became more involved with music and musical theater, as well. One of my favorite stories is the synchronicity of auditioning and being hired by Delbert Mann, 10 years after Hansel and Gretel, to star with Pearl Bailey in the Live TV version of The Member of The Wedding for NBC. He remembered me and my braids.

    I truly enjoyed the gypsy life, the traveling and the variety of work from stage to film and tv that I’ve had the great gift of experiencing. 

    Shortly before the inspiration for Lilly’s Light came, I felt a strong desire to live from a deeper sense of purpose. I wanted to give of myself wholly. I had one of my usual conversations with God and asked was I living my purpose. I felt such a need to be completely authentic and more aligned with my soul mission. I was soon offered an opportunity to work with children and music! That opportunity shifted my direction! I became a producer and writer and learned about the other side of my business. I cannot tell you how motivated I felt and how much energy I had to give to this new project. I truly got the gift that we can’t ask for something without being willing to receive it and it may not feel comfortable at first, but trust is the key! The desire comes to us for a reason! Learning to walk on the marsh, be comfortable with the unknown, TRUST and SURRENDER. The support from the divine is unlimited! 

  • http://www.facebook.com/SherryHursey Sherry Hursey

    So sorry for your loss Lisa, but I know there is a huge blessing that will come for you!!! Thank you for your loving and kind words. I am grateful that you feel uplifted by my sharing :)

    I totally agree with the tools you listed!!!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/SherryHursey Sherry Hursey

    I am so touched by your words, Craig! I am so grateful to have you in my life now and for the connection we made sooooo many years ago. I am graced by your love!!

  • http://www.ashleyabbott.ca/ Ashley

    Thanks very much for the “leave no room for doubt” line – I’ve written it down! It’s just what I need as I move into 2012.
    (by the way, I’m at http://www.ashleyabbott.ca)

  • http://www.StrongPrayers.com/ Joshua Home Edwards

    It is so wonderful to hear more from the story you share together Sherry and Craig…I feel deeply enriched by your intimacy and the joy you bring to building a better world.  I love learning from your example of consistently being guided by your Spirit and I appreciate how authentic you are as you invite us all into your lives in this way.  May you both have a resplendent holiday season and I hope know that Gina and I are pulling for you and your dreams in the New Year.  

  • http://www.soulfilledlife.com Heather Gray

    I love that the two of you re-connected after knowing each other in high school.  “Destiny”  :)

  • http://www.soulfilledlife.com Heather Gray

    warms my heart to read ~ thank you Joshua for shining your big light here.

  • http://www.facebook.com/SherryHursey Sherry Hursey

    Glad to hear that Ashley. You are guaranteed to have an amazing New Year!! 

  • http://www.facebook.com/SherryHursey Sherry Hursey

    Thanks for the visit sweet Joshua! You are an inspiration, dear one, and you have enriched our lives more than you know!! Peace and Joy!!!

  • http://www.soulfilledlife.com Heather Gray

    Thanks for sharing more of your story with us Sherry. I love reading about more of your creative journey.  You are such an inspiration.

    Thank you!!

  • http://www.soulfilledlife.com Heather Gray

    Wow — this is very supportive to read, Sherry.  Those dark nights of the soul are often what we need to make *real* changes.  I appreciate your sharing about yours. 

    Question — how can someone get involved with “Lily’s Light” if they are interested?   And will it be airing this holiday season?  (I think you mentioned that it usually is shown on PBS during the holidays…I’d love to see it.)

    ~h.

  • http://www.soulfilledlife.com Heather Gray

    What a wonderful message.  Thanks for sharing Lisa.  <3

  • Lisa Harrison

    Growing up is such a journey! Thank you for sharing YOUR journey through Lilly’s Light. Having permission and encouragement to use your imagination and follow your heart, is a tremendously important message. How do you think we can best guide our kids to do this and also the kid inside of us to do the same?
                         Thanks! Love and light,
                                     Lisa

  • http://www.facebook.com/SherryHursey Sherry Hursey

    You are so right, Lisa. I don’t think we ever stop growin! The dream of Lilly’s Light and Lilly’s Fostering Hearts is to ignite a global mission of nurturing and healing the child in all of us! 

    I agree that we need to empower ourselves, as well as our children, to “Stay true to what’s inside of you” as Lilly sings in “Nothing is Beyond Your Heart”.  In Lilly’s Light we remind our audience that everything they need is right inside of them and they have the power to change the way they see things. Along with the tools of imaginative play, song and dance, we hope to inspire children to trust their own inner voice and encourage them to create and manifest beautiful results. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/SherryHursey Sherry Hursey

    Good night precious folks! I had fun here at the Soul-filled Cafe. Thank you Heather for inviting me. I got to see my girls sing in A Christmas Carol tonight and truly feel the magic of the season! Many Blessings to all of you for an enchanted Holiday!!! “And God Bless Us Everyone!” 

  • http://www.facebook.com/SherryHursey Sherry Hursey

    I just saw this question, Heather. I did not share much about the Lilly’s Fostering Hearts non-profit org here, but we are involved in many programs spreading awareness of issues surrounding foster care, supporting foster children through media with Lilly’s Light, etc. We are always enlisting volunteers and anyone with a passion to help the over 500,000 children in foster care in the US. We are planning a new program in January to aid children aging out of the foster system. The best way to contact us, is to email chamiltonlfh@gmail.com. We have recently set up a Lilly’s Fostering Hearts and Lilly’s Light page on Facebook, so please like us on both and feel free to chat with us there.

    I will post re-airings of the one hour Lilly’s Light special to our Facebook page and on the Lillyslight.com website. The movie is available now on Netflix Kids and itunes. We are still focused on producing a half hour series and would love the support! 

    Thanks again for this special time, Heather and for the gift of the Soul-filled Cafe!!!

  • CJPStaff

    Hey Sherry, Goes way back when I met you & your Mom many years ago at Pucci’s Hall of Fame club where I was singing & playing guitar and now I’m a proud Grammy voting member:) . Since you love music as I do you might like to visit the Grammy Museum across from Staples center sometime soon where my Grandfather’s display is there under the Columbia Records 4th floor event. It’s a great museum for both music makers as well as music lovers & their families since it’s interactive.
    If there are any of my original songs that you might like to license for your causes PLEASE don’t hesitate to contact me anytime.
    Hope you & your family have a wonderful Holiday Season plus thanks to Vickers who sent me to your wonderful webpage.
    God bless, Nikki Hornsby

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