This weekend William and I saw Every Little Step, a splendid documentary about the casting process for the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line. I loved it and I cried. Sobbed, in fact. William asked if I wanted to leave. I think it’s hard for men to understand “good tears.” These were super-tears. I was blubbering all over myself because the way those incredible dancers wanted those roles (“I really need this job. God, I need this job…”) awakened in me how much I want what I want in life, which is to get my message out in a huge and wonderful way.
I know there’s the theological argument about the Buddhists’ “Desire is the root of all suffering” and the 12 Steps’ “Praying only for knowledge of God’s will for me and the power to carry that out,” versus the incredible surge of life I felt in that theater. I knew in my very cells that I am going to go for my dreams with every ounce of physical vitality and spiritual stamina I can summon until that dream manifests in all its fullness.
And what if it doesn’t? That’s out of my hands. I’m in the action business. God is in the outcomes business. I just know that today I’m showing up for my “audition” (i.e., the day at hand) and giving it all I’ve got.
Now, I get a great deal of inspiration out of Broadway musicals. If you’ve read “Your Charmed Life” for any time at all you know that. I think in lyrics. They move me. Other people are moved in other ways, and whatever moves you—nature, art, ritual—please: get some today. It’s important. And if, like me, musical theater makes you happy as can be, check out what happened when Julie Andrews as Maria von Trapp was piped into a Belgium train station:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkBepgH00GM. Warning: If you’re not where you can get up and dance—well, you’ll probably get up and dance anyway. (Thanks to Patti Breitman for sending me this clip.)
Last minute reminder: If you’re in NYC, please come to the launch (a little talk by me, followed by a book signing) for Living a Charmed Life: Your Guide to Finding Magic in Every Moment of Every Day, tonight, Monday, May 4, 7:30 pm, at Barnes & Noble, 65th & Broadway. Oh gosh: I’ll be on Broadway! And I can’t even carry a tune….
posted May 4, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Wow! How inspiring! Your words today were very meaningful to me. I hope to become as sure of my purpose as you are and I hope to be as dedicated to that purpose. Sound Of Music is one of my favorites. I would have loved to have been in that train station.
posted May 4, 2009 at 5:45 pm
I’m not a big fan of You Tube for many reasons. But that was delightful! If only You Tube could be filled with all postive and inspiring clips. I can dream! And I agree, whatever moves us, we need to have some of it each and every day!
posted May 5, 2009 at 10:25 am
“I know there’s the theological argument about the Buddhists’ “Desire is the root of all suffering” and the 12 Steps’ “Praying only for knowledge of God’s will for me and the power to carry that out,” versus the incredible surge of life I felt in that theater. I knew in my very cells that I am going to go for my dreams with every ounce of physical vitality and spiritual stamina I can summon until that dream manifests in all its fullness.”
I have come to understand that *desire* (i.e. I want to be a movie star, a doctor, a millionaire, to get even etc) is ego driven while Dreams are born. Dreams make our hearts race, and fly, and skip a beat with joy and excitement… Dreams say, “ I am going to be a …” and then WE do the Work. Sometimes…. make that, We never see the full manifestation of our dreams (or desires) because once we put them in motion – for good or for ill – they go on for generations. Thank you Victoria, for touching our lives with your dream!
posted May 5, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Electricity
from Billy Elliot, the Musical
I can’t really explain it, I haven’t got the words
It’s a feeling that you can’t control
I suppose it’s like forgetting, losing who you are
And at the same time something makes you whole
It’s like that there’s a music, playing in your ear
And I’m listening, and I’m listening, and then I disappear
And then I feel a change, like a fire deep inside
Something bursting me wide open, impossible to hide
And suddenly I’m flying, flying like a bird
Like Electricity, electricity
Sparks inside of me, and I’m free, I’m free
It’s a bit like being angry; it’s a bit like being scared
Confused and all mixed up and mad as hell
It’s like when you’ve been crying
And you’re empty and you’re full
I don’t know what it is, it’s hard to tell
It’s like that there’s some music, playing in your ear
But the music is impossible, impossible to hear
But then I feel it move me
Like a burning deep inside
Something bursting me wide open
Impossible to hide
And suddenly I’m flying
Flying like a bird
Like Electricity, electricity
Sparks inside of me
And I’m free, I’m free
Electricity sparks inside of me
And I’m free, I’m free
Oh, I’m free
posted May 5, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Living a Charmed Life arrived in the mail yesterday and I read it ALL last night! Another wonderful book! Thanks so much–and I’m eating a salad as I write this!
posted May 5, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Cully — I think you’ve nailed it: “Desires are ego driven while Dreams are born.” This is beautiful. This thing I want decimates my ego time and again, but I come back. I guess that means it’s a born Dream. Thank you. Bless you. And the lyrics are great — I haven’t seen Billy Eliot yet but everybody says it’s great.
posted May 6, 2009 at 12:15 am
So many things inspire me, I couldn’t name them all here, but music and lyrics are definitely on the list!