Sometimes our lives are filled with Sophoclean drama.
We often star as the complete diva in these tragedies - author, actor, stage hand, promoter and ticket taker.
Of course, these theatricals are wholly constructed affairs, dependent upon idea, opinion, boredom, blame, control and other aversions to reality.
Might we drop the histrionics, no matter how well performed, and simply relax with the truth of life?
Perhaps we could walk off the stage and join the audience - chat with folks, make some friends.
Of course, we'd have to give up being the center of attention . . .
Nice post. Life ain't always easy and it's impossible to be friends with each and everyone. There's always someone who don't like you. But that's just life. But we can respect everyone.
Take care, my brother in Dharma.
Posted by: Uku | March 04, 2010 at 02:16 AM
A powerful lesson indeed, my friend!
Posted by: Jon | March 04, 2010 at 04:35 AM
Barry -
To paraphrase Nansen, I wonder if everyday drama, void of theatricality but rich in human complexity, is not the Way. To be present for it, to participate in it, but also to see through it: are those actions possible?
Thanks for your thoughtful post.
Posted by: Shiju Ben Howard | March 04, 2010 at 06:08 AM
well said
Posted by: pete | March 04, 2010 at 06:24 AM
You mean I'm not the center of the universe! Damn! ;D
Posted by: Steve | March 04, 2010 at 08:02 AM
Hey Steve, you couldn't possibly be the center of the Universe because I am!
Posted by: Suzanne | March 04, 2010 at 08:30 AM
Whew... thanks for the clarification Suzanne! OK so I must be in some kind of orbit around you. :p
Posted by: Steve | March 04, 2010 at 12:13 PM
As an experienced stagehand, I can assure you there are no histrionics in my life!
ahem... uh...
Posted by: John Small | March 04, 2010 at 02:01 PM
@Steve & Suzanne: We are all the center of the Universe at least 1/6billionth of the time... So move over!
Posted by: Genju | March 04, 2010 at 02:51 PM
Excellent post! I've been observing my tendency to histrionics lately - internal as well as little waves I spread around. Simply + relax. Marvelous words and reminder.
thanks,
jill
Posted by: jill i | March 04, 2010 at 03:29 PM
I notice that little narrator voice in my head, whispering stage directions, trying to do a voice-over on my unfolding life. Trouble is, the script he is working from is full of tired old routines from previous acts, full of stock responses to past situations. To do this thing right, it's best to ad lib. After all, we are really just making all this up as we go along.
Posted by: David Clark | March 04, 2010 at 04:01 PM
barry- i posted your blog on my facebook... a student had this to say
Mr. Mansfield, is Mr. Briggs against taking the spot light at all? Or is he against living in it?
Posted by: pete | March 04, 2010 at 05:52 PM
I am my drama
Posted by: Lauren Crane | March 04, 2010 at 06:25 PM
Thanks, everyone, for your wonderful and often funny comments.
Ben, thank you for connecting this post with Nanchuan - if we clearly perceive the theatricality of it all, then we'll surely get an Oscar. And also a Golden Globe!
John, I was definitely thinking of you as I wrote this - and your upcoming union meeting.
Pete - you can tell your student that anytime someone is "hogging" the spotlight, they might want to examine what they're "up to."
Thanks, again!
Posted by: Barry Briggs | March 05, 2010 at 06:31 AM