I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge, That myth is more potent than history. I believe that dreams are more powerful than facts, That hope always triumphs over experience That laughter is the only cure for grief And I believe that love is stronger than death.
As I have said in the beginning of 2009, this is MY YEAR and I’m making a conscious effort to attract positive things my way.
One of the simple things that give me immense consolation is watching plays; musicals in particular and I’ve been fortunate to see at least one a month. The most recent one which has really prompted me to write this review is, obviously, Spelling Bee.
Everything about it was fun for me, and it certainly did prove that laughter is the best medicine (I was suffering from an unbearable migraine that day until the time I settled in my seat in the back of the auditorium).
We booked ourselves the lousiest seats in the auditorium, but even that did not deter my enjoyment of the lines. It was an uncanny beginning because a lady stranger walked up to my husband and me right before the show started offering us properties for sale. I found it odd, (but since my husband and I are certified queer magnets, it was nothing worth puzzling over) until I realized that she was one of the leads in the show, working her way through the audience and onto the stage!
Then, the show started with an adorable soundtrack and masterfully portrayed kids. Added to this entertaining mix is the witty dialogue that made me shake off my migraine from all the chortling and laughter. You can’t be a passive audience in this play for sure. Another thing that delighted me were the additional ‘surprise’ spellers that were called out from the audience, and among them were celebrity guests: Sitti and Miguel Mendoza (from Pinoy Idol). They were willing and game participants among a dynamic and well-versed cast of expert spellers.
I love that it is a show about kids and their very real and important angsts about failure, and achievement. I love that it was played authentically by characters who have obviously studied or worked with children. I love that the words chosen in the bee were a punchline in themselves. I would watch it again if I could. It was the best money I spent so far this year.
There is something liberating about being in a state of utter exhaustion. It’s like being intoxicated with alcohol. You don’t care what people think, you take charge, you just DO. You end up doing things the untired version of yourself wouldnt normally do.
Now I’ve come to understand why the characters in Grey’s Anatomy behave the way they do.
It just makes me wonder about these thoughts and feelings that surfaced yesterday. Perhaps they are not a figment after all. Perhaps I was just too busy, too chicken, too cerebral to notice them and being tired allows them all to come out freely.
Lately the universe is orchestrating happy coincidences my way. By some stroke of fate, I’ve come to meet inspiring, and truly excellent educators who are at personal crossroads and I think that hearing about their discernment is helping me distill my own experiences.
One striking realization from a directress I met today, was her rock solid faith and how it naturally governs her professional life and principles. Having a clear and unwavering view of God really does make professional life simpler. Easier is never practical nor realistic, because work is work, but then, it is deeply meaningful when viewed in the context of a greater, and compelling truth.
As I observe the state of the world today, I see that change is an urgent, imminent reality. And what makes it so imminent is the fact that it takes the collective majority to make that change. From the environment, which is headed for a screeching disaster, to my own home, where politics seems to be ridden with ugly realities that force upon us all a radical call to change the common mindset. I find myself looking for inspiration and hope in the changing landscape of American politics, specifically from the man of the hour, President Obama.
But what I think got him elected is not so much his ideals, his platform, or even the very impressive way he handled his campaign. I think what won him the day was the American people who wanted to have their country back, needing to rally behind someone who can pave the way for things to be right once again. Facing financial meltdown and wars that cannot conceivably be won has propelled them to look for someone to manage change, and not just on a topical level.
For someone as allergic and freakishly afraid of change such as myself, I have come to realize that it doesn’t happen in a vacuum; that events occur with such synchronicity to make such a change possible. (I actually have Black Swan, the impact of the highly improbable on my to read list to try and make sense of paradigm shifts.)
My husband & I were talking the other night and his insightful refresher on world history made me realize the events and lessons from history resonate with me on a deeply personal level. When I think about my life right now, I realize that I often forget how my resistance to change has caused more anguish than the ensuing wisdom in store.
2008 was the most trying time of my life to date, both personally and professionally, and it came to the point where I began to question fundamental truths about myself. Of course the answer is never absolutely clear but some things are immune to change because they are rooted at the very core of who we are. There are just times when shit hits the fan and tend to make you question everything, including what you know to be your non-negotiables. Now I realize that when one loses sight of that, everything will spiral into a never-ending tangle of messy emotions and petty wonderings. It was precisely this moment that I understood why finding one’s purpose in life feels like such an impossible quest for the young. If the core is hazy, then everything is conflicted and fleeting.
Therefore, here I am again, realizing that things happen for a reason and having gone through a major upheaval made me realize that the real solution wasn’t a major change from the core, but acceptance that small, painful changes are necessary to reveal the beauty of the core. It’s funny I can’t shake this line so apropos from a sitcom (Scrubs) where the lead says: “Nothing worth having ever comes easy.”
I feel a little like Master Oogway (of Kung Fu Panda), emanating with his inner zen, while everyone demanded answers, he just had nothing but absolute trust that circumstances will fall into place. Of course I’m no Master but at least when friends check on me, I can say: “Steady lang.”
Pebble in a Pond 