Image via Flickr by asenat29
Yep, it's the gratitude post! But really and truly, these are things I think about all year -- especially when it's slow or I catch myself complaining. "Gratitude" has become a bit of a buzzword, but the perspective it gives us is invaluable.
So here are the things I am always grateful for, especially this week:
- That my passion aligns with my talent
There was a quote painted on the cinderblock wall by the door of my high school performing arts magnet program that read, "Hard work without talent is a shame, talent without hard work is a tragedy." I get it, and it's a good quote, but I always thought it should say "hard work without talent is TERRIFYING." I am so, so grateful that, beyond the thousands of hours of training and rehearsing and studying and hustling, I have enough talent to do the job well.
- The talent of others
How many actors does it take to screw in a lightbulb? One, but I could have done it better.
That's kinda how we are, right? Even when we're watching another actor give a great performance, we're thinking about how we would have done it. It's not something we should feel bad about, it's natural. But my last few months of work in television and theater have reminded me that there is no greater pleasure as an actor than working with other ridiculously talented actors. To be part of an ensemble, to step out on stage or hear "ACTION!", and to know that someone is going to do something spontaneous and electrifying, and then someone else is going to pick up that ball and do something amazing with it, and on and on until everyone stops, catches their breath, and does it all over again... That's the drug. That's what keeps us coming back.
- Artistic community
Now that the aforementioned work has slowed down a bit, I've been on a mission to feed my creative side. Seeing theater, reading books, listening to music (and the Serial podcast); it's refilling my creative reserves. More than that, it's making me look at my surroundings with an appreciation it's easy to forget about when we're running around getting things done and being places we're supposed to be. This city vibrates with creative energy every day. I know so many people working on so many projects I can't keep them all straight. And I don't just mean actor stuff... I have a friend who decided to learn how to bake bread, so she started experimenting, failed a bunch, and is now churning out gorgeous loaves from her tiny kitchen. And it makes me want to dig through the pantry and see what I might be able to whip up.
So that's my list. And if you're reading this, you're part of the talent and community I'm grateful for. Thank you. Thank you thank you thank you.