You are the main character in a play. You have the lead role. You have just finished Act I. In this act, your character experiences difficult setbacks- trials that test patience and endurance. Trials that shake the faith of the faithful. Trials that make you scream for help.
Now it is time for a new act. It is the beginning of Act II. You come out on the stage looking defeated. You sit down. You begin to think about Act I. It consumes you. You are so discouraged by the events in Act I, that you refuse to move. You give up. Act I was just too tough, you tell yourself. You begin to spend all of your energy- energy that was going to be used in Act II, thinking about and worrying about Act I.
The director whispers from behind the curtain, “What are you doing? Act I is over. This is Act II. Get up. It is time to begin.” The director wants you to move forward. He even sends another actor over to you. The other actor extends a hand. You refuse.
You are stuck in the act. You do not attempt to begin the new. You have lost sight of the bigger picture.
“But wait a minute!” yells the director. “Things begin to turn around in this new act. Your character’s life changes. Lessons are learned and joy is found. Trust me, things will get better. You have no idea what I have in store for you. Act I is not the end. It is a stepping stone. The play is not over. I did not intend for it to end after Act I.”
When times are tough, we are not alone. Our Director is with us. He is rooting for us. He is trying to tell us to get up. He is trying to tell us that there is so much more in store for us. He wants to show us the way. Are we listening or have we made up our minds to sit down before the next act begins- the act in which we experience joy again?
Life in made up of many acts. Some are filled with joy and others sorrow. We do not know what our Director has in store for us. When we spend all of our time living in the past, we miss out on the act that we are currently in. Don’t get stuck in an act. Experience it, embrace it, appreciate it, grieve it, learn from it, and recognize that a new act has begun.
the only time is Now – and the next now 🙂
great post xo
Thanks Cat xo
🙂 🙂
xo
There’s no intermission.
So true 🙂
Excellent post Kristin, on with the show!
Thanks, Tina. I hope that you have a good weekend.
Very creative! Thanks for sharing!
you are welcome.
Excellent and Creative Post, I feel.
However, life isn’t simple. Our lives are constantly changing, often to the good, and sometimes our perceptions of change challenge us, and make us feel bereft. In such situations, it’s difficult to keep on that path of self-knowledge and self-actualization.
This is true, Ivsrao. Life is not simple and self-actualuzation difficilt. I feel that we can learn and grow our entire lives. Thank you. I enjoy reading your comments.
Excellent post!! I have to come to your blog more often. You are correct on this. Move on from the past and allow that baggage to remain lost. So true 🙂
It’s so easy for people to forget this. I love the example you used! It’s a wonderful example and I know it’s going to stick with me for a while. I’ll be sure to share it with friends if they get stuck like this. 😀
I am glad that it helps. 🙂
“We do not know what our Director has in store for us.” So true… I often say “We have to get our cues” and then follow them.
Thanks!
Tomas
Tomas, You are welcome. Have a great day!