Spotlights

The Things Spotlights Show Us:

An how it's not always something we like

We're all actors on a stage these days whether we like it or not. From the every day actions we do without thinking; things like brushing our teeth, going to work, the coffees most of us drink and the morning rituals we all follow. Everyone has their schedule and it's what helps us all follow through the steps we need to get the energy to get through the day. The problem with being such a methodical actor is that we there's the matter of the spotlight to consider. It's that bright, vibrant, light that is often difficult to avoid; shining down on all the things about ourselves we'd rather hide -- and it always seems most present at the absolute worst of times.

The problem with seeing the worst of what you are is that you're forced to, then, become aware of it. It's a very common place event, but it can go all manner of ways. Some of handle the process remarkably well, braving the horror show of all our abilities with a sense of balanced understanding. There are those of us though who lose all sense of coordination in these moment, who get blinded by the bright light and then promptly bitter by the fangs of the beast we just couldn't see. Then, still, there's those who are content to remain staring into the light, using the stage for all it can be used for, but never really understanding just who they're acting for -- or why.

We're being who have the potential for limitless kindness to other while, at the same time, perpetrating unscrupulous evils onto our own hearts and minds. It's this latter kind of thinking to which we need to be mindful. It's the vicious and terrible thoughts that lurk in the passive and idle mind that stand the potential to do the most harm; the worth we hold to others, second guessing the good we do for the world, the matters of right and wrong, and the impossible pressure to stand up -- in the light -- and do the things that we want to do with a clear and level headed conscience.

The problem comes in over complicating these matters and letting them get bogged down in an endless sea of caution tape and procrastination due to a lack of validating facts. When standing in the spotlight, you will always be the most sound judge of all the unspeakable things you're capable of doing, but does that mean you should hold yourself accountable to them forever? In a sense. Knowing the wrongs we've done is the only real way to transition them into a right, but to hold onto them, to let them become an infectious wound to the soul, is when they're no longer a benefit. 

We're quite capable of countless impossibilities, and this isn't a bad thing. Yes, some of who and what we are comes with the capability for selfishness and greed, but is that bad? We all have things that we want from the world; hopes, dreams, aspirations, but is everyone who has them so willing to run out and trample mindlessly through the fields to have them? No. There's a level of restraint that, at least most of us, apply to it with a very real sense of moral obligation. This same sort of mentality can be applied to all the things we think in those dark moments, as well as the light.

It all becomes about keeping your balance when the light gets blinding and remembering your position on the stage. Your acting doesn't require your sight, just the dedication to the cause of honesty and general perseverance. The light may shine brightly, sometimes too much so, but what's the harm in exposing yourself to the world? If you're not welcomed for all the ways that you are, what's the need to be welcomed at all? Is this to advocate a sense of uncompromising arrogance? Absolutely not. Again, it all becomes about the balance. Understanding the full potential of your capabilities and accepting the positive quirks as well as the nasty demons is absolutely vital to ever going anywhere.

If you don't know what the car can handle, you'll always run the risk of getting stuck somewhere on your way up one of the hills, so why gamble on it? Understand what you can do, decide what you want to do, and make some real, honest, attempt, to do it. Try to go about it rightly, fairly, to those around you; but try for yourself too. Be honest with what you want and how you feel, understand it won't be for everyone -- but nothing ever is or will be either. Do your best to do right by your fellows and pursue the things you want with everything you have to give; be mindful of the toes you might step on, and the dreams of others who might come along with you. You might not always want the same things, but you all have the same rights to chase them wild into the night.

The only sound piece of advice when the light gets blinding is as follows can be summed up in a much wiser man than I. "No reason to get excited, the thief, he kindly spoke. There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke." So, no matter how anxious and nervous you may find yourself when staring into the bright lights on the stage just breathe and relax. Everything will find a way to work itself into something if you just give yourself the time to see it through -- and leaping wildly into the clawed arms of a large, rabid, jungle cat just makes no sense at all. Let your eyes adjust first to what's in front of you, see it, in the light, for what it is, and decide then how to act.

Happy Birthday, by the way -- thanks for all the moments.