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

Hot Water

He knows not his own strength that hath not met adversity.

Ben Johnson
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Hello Val
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The quotation above is very similar to the one I have heard from various sources all claiming to have made it up: "A man is like a tea bag. He doesn't know how strong he is until he gets into hot water." As far as I know it came originally from Kay Kyser, the band leader.

Some of the things I consider adversities are things that don't work right, things you have to wait too long to find out if they work and things that don't work at all. Certain computer systems and human relationships fall under those categories.

Not having enough money is another awful depressing attack on one's sense of right and wrong. After careful planning and budgeting, with all things factored in you still come up $17. 24 short at the end of the month.

Illness is a big one. Nothing is more detrimental to a happy life than having to compensate for a body that doesn't work right. It's expensive to take care of and if there is pain involved we are forced to focus on the wrong things.

Lost opportunities rank up there with the adversities of a struggling life. Along with them come regrets, those dirty rags in the drawer you somehow can't throw out.

Another adversity is the lack of advantages and resources. He gets the job or he gets the girl because he has a cell phone and you don't.

Being misunderstood, minimized, underestimated, scorned, scoffed at, ignored and criticized by some self satisfied moron, are back door adversities that sneak up on one from behind.

Having your wallet or your idea stolen, hearing someone else being praised for your work, being blamed for things that aren't your fault, being unprepared for the thing you are suddenly called upon to do. are more adversities to fight with.

Plans that go awry, people who don't show up when they are expected, being trapped someplace with no escape, make life over difficult.

For me today adversity is the continuing memory of betrayal, deception that went on every day for twenty days under my feet where I could hear it, a broken heart, with a healing process that is taking too long to work.

How strong am I?
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DB - The Vagabond
Never give up.
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