I have been transfixed by stages lately. Last week, I watched three showings of Mamma Mia bathed in joy. Last night, I listened intently to the group Black Violin bend musical genres.
Stages are not limited to theaters. I love watching my children on athletic fields, delighted when hearing others call their names and cheer them on.
Stages don’t require a large audience, either. One person watching you as you are locked in on any given task in any given place, qualifies according to one Englishman’s definition.
It was after all, Shakespeare who wrote, “All the world’s a stage and the men and women merely players.”
This expansive view of a stage is instructive. We are almost always performing in one role or another – actor, musician, athlete, artist, parent, child, student, teacher, son, daughter, citizen, worker, human being etc. In these roles, we are at one time or another also likely being watched – whether that be by one person, ten or a thousand.
The reviews of our performance usually aren’t written in The New York Times although perhaps sometimes they find their way into a passing comment, greeting card, text or personal note. More likely they are simply registered in the audience’s mind – the performer oblivious to the potential impression left.
Hall of Fame baseball player Joe DiMaggio was once asked why he tries so hard, so consistently. He replied, “There is always some kid who may be seeing me for the first time. I owe him my best.”
It is hard to be on your best behavior all the time. Performing almost any role requires effort, focus and energy. Yet knowing that someone may see in us something admirable, beautiful, joyful or inspiring can likewise inspire us to soldier on.
No one’s performance is perfect. Roles are often too demanding for that to ever be possible. But everyday, everywhere people are trying. A vast majority try to do their best – even as they stumble or miss a note. There is something noble and wonderful in recognizing that. If not by a round of applause or a written note, then perhaps with a knowing smile.
Recommendation of the Week: Spend a few minutes this week “people watching.” Notice their effort to nail their performance. If they inspire you, let them know.
Please share this with someone whose performance in one way or another has inspired you lately.