Trial by fire; making tough choices

There are times when characters must be tested beyond all comprehension. Since we have the same thing happen during our own lives, it makes the characters very sympathetic. Experiencing someone else going through severe challenges provides a merging point, a place we share and comprehend. We have empathy toward someone not us, and that empathy drives us closer to the characters. Naturally, this works in the rest of life as well, because this is one of the ways we get to know and understand someone else. It's important to share experiences.

It seems to me that the biggest worry about big and difficult trials is about how these things change us. How can we be sure this won't bend us into something terrifying? As an audience, when a character is faced with such a test we are on pins and needles because we can't forecast the results (or, we shouldn't be able to if the author is doing their job). It's both exciting and scary. Story is about tension, and this is a great one.

Probably the hardest trials are the ones our closest friends and family face. It's only natural that we want to shield such close connections, yet nobody can take the test for anyone else. Still, we can be there for them. Drama does this a lot, as it draws from true life. Funny, but it's hard to write only about characters facing trials, without making it about people I know myself. More than likely, we have people in our lives right now who are facing very difficult circumstance and are settling on very touch choices. Watching that is grueling. But, the hopeful goal is to be better after it all washes over. We can encourage as we watch--tough to do in a crowded theater without being shouted down though.

 - M

Want perfection? Be ready for hard work, because you'll need it.

We've all heard the expression that, "Practice makes perfect." There's also an old joke that goes: "How do you get to Carnegie Hall? ... Practice." (Note: Carnegie Hall is one of the finest venues for music in the United States). The thinking is that while talent is certainly a factor, the most important part of being perfect is hard work. Take the time to grind down your skill to a mirror polish and you'll be great. Every aspect of life reflects this point, as we all know people who are fantastic mainly due to their long hours of working at their skill.

In my opinion, one of the greatest pleasures in life is watching someone perform who has untold numbers of hours of practice behind them. Cirque du Soleil is one of those. A few years ago, several of their popular circus shows were broadcast on television. I'm in awe of the perfect tumbling, dazzling agility, and precision physicality of the many performers. For most circuses, there's real fear in the audience as we watch dangerous acts. But, with Cirque du Soleil, that is replaced with dazzling wonder as we forget our fear and thrill at the skill. They are physical art of the highest perfection. It's impossible to describe these shows adequately. You must see them, and happily many are available on video.

I challenge you all to discover something you love doing so much that you'll put in long hours of practice to perfect it. I say love because it's lonely to practice. There may be people around you, but the practice never is about them and only about you. Dig deep within yourself and find the drive to push ahead! Whatever you choose to do, never allow doubt to overcome your desire. You found it worthwhile at the beginning, so why let that worthiness diminish? Set your eyes on the goal and cheer yourself up with visions of the future. You are worth improving, aren't you?

So, get up, get going, and grind hard. Then, thrill at the joy of performing those hard earned skills!

- M

Ode to Dr. Seuss and his immortal wisdom

In 1957, a goofy man created "The Cat in the Hat" and in 830 words turned the world upside down. Reading was never again the same, and teaching children to read became simple and fun. Many years later, in 1990, Dr. Seuss published his magnum opus, "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" With a final bow, this silly little man gave us all the collected wisdom of an entire life, and he did it in 56 pages of more pictures than words! Incredible.

Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel), born March 1904 and died September 1991.

Having grown up in Austria, I didn't have the pleasure of having most of these books as a child. I knew about them, but I didn't really learn to appreciate them until 1990 and I was given "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" That may have been the very first time I saw absolute genius and held it in my hands. This was pure magic, and I cried when I read it. These were words filled with love, hope, and courage for the future. This was a parent's dying words to their young children. It isn't possible to paraphrase this book and make it shorter. It is absolutely perfect. A modern masterpiece.

I hold Dr. Seuss as one of the greatest writers the world has ever seen, if not the absolutely finest in all! Here is someone with a complete mastery over his chosen language. And, he created worlds of goofy landscapes and silly creatures as a satiny bonus. Yes, the level of language is absolutely basic, yet what he did with those few words continues to astonish. I believe writers need to study how Dr. Seuss achieved what he did, or they will lose out on the finest example we have at our disposal.

Dr. Seuss, you are missed, but never forgotten. Your writings will teach and inspire generations long to come. I think it's safe to say, "We love you, Dr. Seuss."

- M

Catching a piece of greatness

I've been watching documentaries recently, about sports stars like: Babe Ruth and the horse Secretariat. One commentator said that when in the presence of greatness, it's like a piece of it breaks off and falls on you. It's why we seek to be around any great things, even if it's only to see. Nothing mystical or magical about it, because it's all about connections. We talk about seeing someone famous, sitting in the same chair as a president, or holding a signed portrait. But, the best is being part of a famous event, starring a famous character; thus being a witness to history.

Babe Ruth

We all want to be touched by greatness, to be the very best at something (no matter what it is). And, when that hasn't happened or isn't possible, we seek out the slightest touch by someone who has greatness already. After all, autographs wouldn't be important to anyone otherwise. But, imagine having a signed copy of the "Star Spangled Banner" or an autographed helmet from Niki Lauda? It matters because of what these people did and do.

Connections are everything to us. We live our lives finding them, maintaining them, and breaking them. We are even known because of our associations, and people will seek us out if we have prized ones. This is such a big part of life that I wonder: if aliens ever came here, would they even comprehend how we are interconnected? It's good to know that we're pretty alien ourselves.

I do recommend checking out some documentaries about great people. They're worth learning about, even if it's just to touch greatness from a distance.

- M

San Andreas frenzy!

There's a new action movie out right now, "San Andreas," featuring the Dwayne "Rock" Johnson. It's about the fault line running through California finally going foom and causing a massive earthquake. The main plot follows our hero, who is part of a helicopter rescue team, and his fight to get his family to safety. It's exciting, action-packed, and full of heroics and courage. It's encouraging, positive, and ultimately uplifting. So, why are critics surprised it's doing well? Do they really think a good hero movie will tank badly?

I love seeing heroes succeeding, and will gladly pay my hard earned money to watch them. That's a common theme here on this blog, and for good reason. We desperately need heroes. We need people driving us toward greatness. We need examples to follow. We need paragons (a great word for you to look up to, if you haven't heard of it before). And, "San Andreas" provides a hero to emulate. And, it's clear that the viewing public agrees. As of June 1st, 2015, it's made $54 million and has only been out a single week! Impressive, most impressive.

In the end, I'm just glad to see a movie with heroes we want to emulate. I want more! Give me new myths, new villains, and new heroes to challenge those baddies! I'll never have enough, and I always beg for another helping.

- M

Love, the great emotion of poets, artists, and the common hopeless romantic.

When I was ending my years as a teenager and becoming a young man, I went through a time of incredible yearning for a loving companion. I knew she was "Somewhere Out There"--a great song by the way, and one I listened to a lot at the time--but the longing was so strong it was overpowering. I listened to love songs constantly, weeping into my headphones, and my parents didn't have any idea. Probably they are reading these words now and had no clue I went through such times. But, I wasn't alone. People all over the world long for enduring love that breaks all boundaries.

Because of that time, I have a powerful romantic streak. It takes work, but oh wow is it ever worth it. My glorious wife is a treasure I couldn't have imagined back then. She surpasses any hopes and dreams I might have had, and has shown me depths of love I can't begin to describe. Love like that changes you continually, unshakably, and permanently. If I could give any blessing, it would be love.

So, of course there is unending lyricism about love. It can't ever be completely described. And so, we write songs, wax poetic, and buy flowers in hopes of getting close. That longing has produced a dazzling variety of work, and some of the finest artistic talent in their respective fields. It's like the search for love is the muse the Greeks wrote about--you know, those fun loving folks who divinely inspire creativity.

Love changes the world you live in, breathe in, and create in.

- M

Oh, the pain!

A funny thing happened today. I was taking something out of the oven, hand nicely covered with a stove glove, and the heat went straight through and burnt the dickens out of my palm. It scalded me enough that my skin went all shiny and slick. Now, I imagine you are all wincing at least a bit with sympathetic pain. Why is that?

I suppose the easy answer is that we've all felt something similar. But, we feel sympathetic pain even when it's totally unknown to us. Actually, witnessing someone in intense pain is one of the most difficult things to bear. Sadly, I know a lot about that, having watched my wife watching me (both knees are now bionic, yay!). I saw the pain reflected in her eyes, and it tore my heart out. I'd have done anything to prevent it. Sympathetic pain is incredibly powerful.

Men will understand this one, and that's seeing someone take a low hit. I cringe at the very thought. And women certainly flinch at the thought of child birth. It doesn't matter if one is a happy occasion and the other isn't. They're both painful and we sympathize.

Stories dealing with pain are pretty common really. Adventure stories, survival stories, and all kinds of other ones are loaded with pain and suffering, yet we keep going back for more. A recent movie, which made all kinds of money, was "127 Hours" -- about a guy who cut his own arm off to survive. Yeesh. Try to get that image out of your head!

- M