I just found out there's no such thing as the Real World
All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. Some of us live epic tragedies, others of us, musical comedies. We break into song, pause to soliloquize, knock down fourth walls, and forget our lines. On most occasions, we choose to stick to the script. We abide by our morals, stand strongly by that which is expected of us, that which we deem appropriate. But once in a while, an unexpected plot twist has us kicking off our character shoes. Thwarted by a change of setting or company, our actions deviate from our psyche. All the while, a director tries in vain to guide us back to the script.
I have a relatively constant personality. Whether you happen upon my character in a lead role or in the chorus, you can expect the same beliefs, the same comments, the same actions. I often find myself frustrated that constancy is not a universal trait. Still, I try to tease out the inborn grace of my interaction partners. Amazingly, one can be the hero in one scene and the villain in the next; he can flawlessly depict the role of a selfless rescuer by day and a disrespectful jerk by night. When it is only the part and costume that bestows credibility, there is no credibility at all.
To be able to enjoy any performance occurring more than five feet away from me, I must sport my oh-so-trendy glasses. The blurry haze surrounding the forms on stage is immediately lifted. The performances that are staged in the theater of the world are no exception. In this case, however, it is metaphorical glasses that lift the veil of untrue actions shrouding the true Self. It is through these lenses that I can see a genuine and compassionate soul imprisoned in the body of a self-declared convict and that a sickeningly sweet voice only coats a selfish inconsiderate scowl.
Maybe we are just actors on a stage. But the best actor is he who wholeheartedly lives the life of his character. The one whose identity cannot be separated into actor and character. The one whose character is so convincing to others because he believes in it himself.
George F. Burns once commented, "Acting is all about honesty. If you can fake that, you've got it made." The truth is, honesty may be the most difficult quality to feign. Paradoxically, it is the easiest to exhibit. All we have to do is commit to our typecast. Contrary to popular belief, typecasting can be a respectable choice. Because to be typecast is to be known and recognized for who you are and what you do. It's when characters are typecast that they pull together the strongest and most convincing performances.
So realize that when you take your final bow for that cheering audience, they are not congratulating your performance. They are congratulating you.
I have a relatively constant personality. Whether you happen upon my character in a lead role or in the chorus, you can expect the same beliefs, the same comments, the same actions. I often find myself frustrated that constancy is not a universal trait. Still, I try to tease out the inborn grace of my interaction partners. Amazingly, one can be the hero in one scene and the villain in the next; he can flawlessly depict the role of a selfless rescuer by day and a disrespectful jerk by night. When it is only the part and costume that bestows credibility, there is no credibility at all.
To be able to enjoy any performance occurring more than five feet away from me, I must sport my oh-so-trendy glasses. The blurry haze surrounding the forms on stage is immediately lifted. The performances that are staged in the theater of the world are no exception. In this case, however, it is metaphorical glasses that lift the veil of untrue actions shrouding the true Self. It is through these lenses that I can see a genuine and compassionate soul imprisoned in the body of a self-declared convict and that a sickeningly sweet voice only coats a selfish inconsiderate scowl.
Maybe we are just actors on a stage. But the best actor is he who wholeheartedly lives the life of his character. The one whose identity cannot be separated into actor and character. The one whose character is so convincing to others because he believes in it himself.
George F. Burns once commented, "Acting is all about honesty. If you can fake that, you've got it made." The truth is, honesty may be the most difficult quality to feign. Paradoxically, it is the easiest to exhibit. All we have to do is commit to our typecast. Contrary to popular belief, typecasting can be a respectable choice. Because to be typecast is to be known and recognized for who you are and what you do. It's when characters are typecast that they pull together the strongest and most convincing performances.
So realize that when you take your final bow for that cheering audience, they are not congratulating your performance. They are congratulating you.
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