TBIF (Thank Buddha It's Friday) Archives - Page 4 of 5

TBIF – Lesson from the Stage

September – Time (Photo credit: listentothemountains)

TBIF – Labor Day Weekend

Common thought is this weekend marks the end of something….the end of summer. To kids, the end of summer break. To beachgoers, the end of summer tanning. To winter-phobes, the end of good weather.

But the truth is – it’s not the end of anything. It’s just the cycle of things. Where one season ends, another begins. There is no dividing line that we cross, no hurdle we must clear. Moving through the calendar, day by day, is a flow thing – like blinking our eyes or taking a breath…it happens with or without our permission.

It’s because we fear change, that we grapple with endings. We see them as heavy, anxiety-inducing, worrisome. Because we don’t know what’s on the other side, what’s around the bend.

When I was a musical performer, the closing night of a show always filled me with such melancholy. Partly because of all the hard work that had gone into the production, but mostly because I knew that I was experiencing an ending. The ending of the show – this cast, these costumes, this theatre, those audiences – that whatever was created until that moment would now cease to exist – forever. All the elements that made up this particular production would never, could never, be reproduced again. The never again part is what would get to me – if felt so…final.

What made it feel so sad, is also what made the experience so special. The fact that it was unique, a moment in time, was a wonderful reminder that all of life is that way – a journey and not a final destination. It’s what makes life exciting and thrilling – that something new is soon to begin. As odd as it sounds, it’s the knowledge that we will die that makes life all the more precious – because it is finite, there is an end.

Take this weekend and use your inner Buddha Balboa as a guide – be thankful for the time that has passed and look forward to the days still to come. BBQ, hang with friends, have a swim, play with the kids, cut the grass, or do nothing at all. It’s simply another day on your path. – BB

Prince Pics

It’s Friday friends…TBIF.

Pics of Prince Harry have surfaced. And he’s naked. In Vegas. Need I say more?

There’s a swell of hoopla surrounding this naturally – people seem to enjoy a certain level of scandal. As long as it’s not about them.

We love to make our judgments about the activities of others – as if our opinion should be gospel. But it’s not. We are all the same – and we all make mistakes.

Yes – do I think that Harry didn’t show the best judgment in his partying – especially these days with cell phones, YouTube and Twitter as regular party companions? It’s not an easy world to be private anymore. We have to pick and choose our moments when we can throw caution to the wind…or our clothes, for that matter.

He’s a royal. He comes from a certain blood lineage. This is true. But he’s also a person – just like every single one of us. Young and impetuous.

The spotlight of scrutiny will be Prince Harry’s biggest hangover right now. Let this be a reminder that privacy is king.

Bravery

On this TBIF, let’s talk about bravery.

What does it mean to be brave? The obvious definitions apply here – those who face danger head on, those who forge ahead in the face of fear – the men and women of our military. Yes, those are all true. But let’s do a flip of what we think to be brave in the 9 to 5 world.

A friend of mine decided she had “enough” and resigned from her job yesterday. She’s young, energetic, smart – and she wants more. More than the endless hours, more than the late night and weekend calls, more than a boss who doesn’t appreciate who she is. She’s decided to move on, pursue a number of side passions she’s had, and to try to live a life that doesn’t, in her words, “make her stomach hurt.”

She is brave. Many of us would immediately think that – that she is courageous to leave a well-paying job to go out into the fearful unemployment landscape. Many dream – “I wish I could do that!” as they head home after a long day at the office.

The Buddha Balboa flip here is this – why do we consider leaving a job or situation we are in that makes us feel unhappy, underappreciated and unfulfilled, brave? Because we live in fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of failure. If we were to look at our work culture a little differently, we may see STAYING as being brave in that we are sacrificing ourselves for the benefit of others, with little reward. Bravery, from this viewpoint, doesn’t appear so noble.

Doesn’t it make sense to move forward instead of holding down the fort at all costs – the cost of our hopes and our dreams? What is the true price of this bravery? Too high, my friends, too high. – BB

Illumination

TBIF #3 – Shine Your Light

I just read that Mel Stuart, the director of “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory”, died yesterday. So as I was thinking about this Thank Buddha It’s’ Friday post, it was clear what I should write about.

Although I do not know Mr. Stuart (or even much about his career), I do know that he touched a large number of us. Not in a personal, have a cup of coffee together way, but in an intangible, memory-making way. He steered the ship of an iconic film that will live forever.

Willy Wonka remains to this day a wonderful childhood memory for me. I loved watching it and still find I get delighted should I come across it when channel surfing. It is poetic and dark, uplifting and creative. Many of the references jet-streamed over my head when I was young – in particular this wonderful (altered) Shakespeare quote from the Merchant of Venice – “So shines a good deed in a weary world.” Mr. Wonka, almost inaudibly, mutters these words as Charlie walks away after having done a good “deed” in leaving behind what could have been security for his poor family. Charlie is the light in a corrupt world.

What’s amazing about this film is that the basic principles of right and wrong are cleverly disguised in a colorful, kooky way. Oh, we get the message very clearly, but it’s woven with such thoughtful precision that we aren’t aware of the magic of the final tapestry until it’s revealed in this one line.

The original Shakespearean quote is, “How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.” We are each a small candle that, when lit, can provide enormous light to those in our path. Each good deed, no matter its measure, is illuminating.

Mel Stuart shared his light with us. It is our duty to carry on the torch. – BB