Bits And Pieces

In small proportions we just beauties see,
And in short measures, life may perfect be.

Ben Johnson
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Hello Beth
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"Every Little Movement Has a Meaning All Its Own" (Otto Harbach).

One of the things a good actor will do is to break down his part into small pieces in order to understand how they fit into the drama. They can be called anything,but usually they're known as "units and objectives." Each unit is connected to an objective which motivates it, and each objective is connected to the main desire or purpose of the character in the play. His goal. Sort of like life.

Let's say you need a loaf of bread. And let's say that means going to the market and buying one.
Unit 1. See if you have enough money.
Unit 2. Put on your coat.
Unit 3. Turn off the necessary lights.
Unit 4. Open the door and go out.
Unit 5 Close the door and lock it.
Unit 6. Walk to the store. (Including simple units of crossing streets, etc.)
Unit 7. Enter the market.
Unit 8. Search for the bread.
Unit 9. Take it to the cashier.
Unit 10. Pay for it.
Unit 11. Take the bread.
Unit 12. Leave the store.
Unit 13. Walk home.
Unit 14. Unlock the door and open it.
Unit 15. Put the bread down.
Unit 16. Close the door.
Unit 17. Turn on the lights.
Unit 18. Take off your coat.

Overall objective: To have a loaf of bread.

(I don't know why this is underlined. Please ignore it.)

Our whole lives are spelled out in simple units tied to objectives. There is a good side and a bad side to that.

The bad side is that we can become so involved in the simple units of our daily lives that they become more important than the objectives we are really living for. Our lives become fragmented and we cease to hold on to the dreams and hopes we once had.

The good side is that as we go through life we can become so much more enriched if we take the time to enjoy the units along the way. Our path is full of interesting thngs to be observed and enjoyed.

The grander our objectives, our hopes, dreams and goals, the better our lives. And the more we see our units in small portions ansd short measures the happier we will be attaining or goals.

DB - Vagabond Journeys
Never Give Up