Sunday, August 10, 2014

The Play's the Thing

Is my life like a play? Is there a plot riddled with conflict to keep the story line interesting? Is there a cast of characters who come and go as one scene changes to the next? And the biggest question is... Am I some diva on the stage trying to tell the director how to do his job?

I am discovering that to be truly happy, sometimes we have to let go of our attachment to a specific outcome. I thought I was so smart; I thought I knew what was best for me, but when life took some unexpected twists and turns this last year, I realized that sometimes we just have to release our expectations, and just enjoy the unexpected plot twists that come our way.

I shared this quote from LiveLifeHappy.com on Facebook this last week:


Since last winter, I had struggled with one setback after another. It seemed my life was not going according to my plan, in any way, shape, or form. I was so discouraged as I watched my life seemingly fall apart as I tried to deliver the old lines I had rehearsed, but it just wasn't working.

Once I let go of the way I thought this drama should be played out, there was room for new actors, new plot developments, new scenes, and frankly, I never could have predicted how delightful those changes would be. 

If you would have told me that this summer I would meet some of the most extraordinary people of my life...that I was going to come out of retirement to teach second graders...that I would be happily dating and having wonderful adventures with my "girls" and my kids, I probably would have scoffed at you. My life went from melodrama to comedy when I released my expectations, and I decided to accept this new way of normal.

Living in the now, perfecting my improv skills, has allowed so much more happiness into my life. If all the world's a stage, I would like to thank those of you who have been the best supporting actors and actresses I could have asked for in this epic adventure of life. 

The show must go on...and while I know the part I play is a small one on the Broadway stage of life, in my particular scenes, I will play my part wholeheartedly and with enthusiasm. It's time for me to scrap the script. I've been ad-libbing for months now, and I have to say, I'm happier and have more peace in my life without that old script to which I was clinging. One of the biggest changes I've had to make is relinquishing my perceived role as director. I am not in charge at all; I see that now. I am part of something so much bigger than myself, and I'm as excited as any audience member to see how this thing's going to end. 

4 comments:

  1. Now, Now..... You know how you love it when your students end their papers with, "The End!" Don't wait for the ending, enjoy the Acts, Scenes, Intermissions and Treats!!!! Just sayin' ....

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    1. Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not rushing for the last scene of the final act! I like the way you think...intermissions and TREATS!

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  2. I just finished reading from Sep 22 back to this point--and I just needed to tell you that it was in Shipman, many years ago, that I put on the refrigerator, "The most constant thing in life is change"--little did I know that after my divorce and the subsequent ideal marriage, I would be widowed three times and marry a Utahn. I am so happy that he agrees to sharing our time between Virginia and Utah. We share our kids and our mission and our dreams and our homes. I have had a section of my heart labeled 'happy' all my life, and I constantly nurture it. Thanks for sharing your happy changes with whoever reads your precious blog. At 75, I am still trying to manage my 24 hours a day to get more out of each one!

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    1. MOM! I just found this while browsing my blog this morning. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, and for leaving me a comment. You are my hero of happy! I remind myself all the time, "If Mom can do it, you can, too." Thank you, Ma.

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