Acting Without the Drama

December 26, 2008.  It never fails.  After the gifts are opened, the cranky comes out.

The kids start fussing; we start getting pissy because the kids are fussing; the kids fuss more because we’re pissy.  It’s a lovely downward spiral into the post-Christmas funk.

I wonder if maybe we just don’t know how to handle the good.  There is such joy and warmth and love on Christmas morning.  My eyes welled up as my littlest one jumped for joy, running from present to present.

I have to admit, even the funk part can be kind of funny.  My middle son shoved aside my youngest’s baby crib in an effort to get to his remote-controlled whatever-the-heck-it-is.  She got so mad she was vibrating.  She shoved her hands onto her hips and yelled, “That’s IT!!!”  Pretty cute.

But the other part?  The total crash after too much anticipation, too much receiving, too much sugar?  I could do without that.

The only thing that I’ve found that counters the slow sinking into the cranky is service.

If I’m reeling from too much receiving, I need to give a little.  It’s a really simple thing, actually.  I think there needs to be balance in our lives.  When we get too much, we somehow feel it.  We get out of whack.  If we don’t do anything to tip the scales a bit in the other direction, we suffer for it.

This applies to our craft, as well.  If you find that all you’re doing is going to acting class, auditioning and occasionally acting in something, find a way to balance it out.  Go see plays.  Go see movies.  Watch TV (I know, you probably do this already, but there’s a point).  Do it not just for entertainment’s sake, but to watch the performances.  What works?  What doesn’t?  What would we do differently if we were doing the part (even if the actor was brilliant, our performance should be unique).  Take the time to simply receive the magic of someone else’s performance.

Of course, if you’re on the other end of the spectrum, watching but never doing, find a way to get out there and act.  If you’ve been reading my blog or listening to my podcasts, you already know how I feel about that.

For me, today, I would like to find some ways to serve.  I’ve been given a lot this season, and I would like to find some balance.

Rate it: 1 2 3 4 5 (2 ratings)	Email it