"I don't save anything for the walk back up the hill."
My friend was referring to the very large grassy hill behind the outdoor stage where cast members would walk back toward the building where we ate, costumed, and many of us slept. We were performing that summer with a large cast of families from all over the United States and beyond. My friend was in a leading role and instead of coming for the short two weeks of many of the cast members, myself included, he was there all summer. He was a very talented actor and had had starred in film before I met him - I actually recognized him from his previous role in a prominent movie before I actually learned his name.
In our current production, I was an enthusiastic dancer and member of what we called the "family cast," while he basically carried the weight of the entire production. Still, I found myself exhausted by the summer heat and humidity even in my role, without all of the energy I knew he was expending. Still, every night he brought the audience to laughter and tears and conversion with unwearied dedication.
We asked him his secret. Answer? "I don't save anything for the walk back up the hill." Meaning, he literally gave everything he had to every performance. He didn't hold anything back, even knowing he had that long, hard, hot climb at the end of it. And when the time came, he always had the energy he needed.
A revelation came to me as I was running today (again, I know, another running story =). I let myself go yesterday and "didn't save anything" for the rest of the day - I ran hard and fast and freely, and as a result had more energy and felt totally free. Today, however, I found myself holding back, as if I feared that my energy had a limited supply and if I let it go today, I would somehow come to the end of it. I thought about my acting friend, and how he didn't save anything, yet he always had what he needed. He changed lives every night because he was willing to give everything every time. I realized today that it is often the fear of not having enough that uses all our energy, whereas if we would simply stop worrying and give it all, our needs would be supplied. I certainly need to learn this lesson. If I stopped stressing and started living, "life" would come in a whole new way.
So, as you prepare for YFF and whatever else comes your way, try letting go and fully committing. Don't save anything for the climb back up the hill.
Thank you Emily, your posts have really kept me going the past few days. They've been inspiring and exactly what i needed to hear. That is a beautiful lesson, thank you so much Emily.
Today has been good, I've been so grateful for the little things in life, trying to find inspiration in everything. God is so good. I'm doing well at keeping my commitments, at least the gratitudes and the journaling... but Emily just inspired me with the importance of exercise, I really want to bring that more into my life everyday, it was always a time for me to think and completely be myself. i love it.
"His rage passes description-the sort of rage that is only seen when rich folk that have more than they can enjoy suddenly lose something that they have long had but have never before used or wanted"
Ahh, Tolkien, you just made my day! What a great analogy! Anyways, hope you all are enjoying the last 6 days before YFF!! Woohoo!
P.S Emily, you are awesome! I feel so lucky to be able to work with you for this camp!
"I don't save anything for the walk back up the hill."
ReplyDeleteMy friend was referring to the very large grassy hill behind the outdoor stage where cast members would walk back toward the building where we ate, costumed, and many of us slept. We were performing that summer with a large cast of families from all over the United States and beyond. My friend was in a leading role and instead of coming for the short two weeks of many of the cast members, myself included, he was there all summer. He was a very talented actor and had had starred in film before I met him - I actually recognized him from his previous role in a prominent movie before I actually learned his name.
In our current production, I was an enthusiastic dancer and member of what we called the "family cast," while he basically carried the weight of the entire production. Still, I found myself exhausted by the summer heat and humidity even in my role, without all of the energy I knew he was expending. Still, every night he brought the audience to laughter and tears and conversion with unwearied dedication.
We asked him his secret. Answer? "I don't save anything for the walk back up the hill." Meaning, he literally gave everything he had to every performance. He didn't hold anything back, even knowing he had that long, hard, hot climb at the end of it. And when the time came, he always had the energy he needed.
A revelation came to me as I was running today (again, I know, another running story =). I let myself go yesterday and "didn't save anything" for the rest of the day - I ran hard and fast and freely, and as a result had more energy and felt totally free. Today, however, I found myself holding back, as if I feared that my energy had a limited supply and if I let it go today, I would somehow come to the end of it. I thought about my acting friend, and how he didn't save anything, yet he always had what he needed. He changed lives every night because he was willing to give everything every time. I realized today that it is often the fear of not having enough that uses all our energy, whereas if we would simply stop worrying and give it all, our needs would be supplied. I certainly need to learn this lesson. If I stopped stressing and started living, "life" would come in a whole new way.
So, as you prepare for YFF and whatever else comes your way, try letting go and fully committing. Don't save anything for the climb back up the hill.
Thank you Emily, your posts have really kept me going the past few days. They've been inspiring and exactly what i needed to hear. That is a beautiful lesson, thank you so much Emily.
ReplyDeleteToday has been good, I've been so grateful for the little things in life, trying to find inspiration in everything. God is so good. I'm doing well at keeping my commitments, at least the gratitudes and the journaling... but Emily just inspired me with the importance of exercise, I really want to bring that more into my life everyday, it was always a time for me to think and completely be myself. i love it.
Great quote from the Hobbit:
ReplyDelete"His rage passes description-the sort of rage that is only seen when rich folk that have more than they can enjoy suddenly lose something that they have long had but have never before used or wanted"
Ahh, Tolkien, you just made my day! What a great analogy! Anyways, hope you all are enjoying the last 6 days before YFF!! Woohoo!
P.S Emily, you are awesome! I feel so lucky to be able to work with you for this camp!