Tap legends honored in Uptown play
May 12th
The Black Ensemble Theater keeps theatergoers entertained with musicals in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. Now the group is bringing the story of tap’s greatest duo, the Nicholas Brothers, to the main stage. Marissa Mitchell has more on the play that’s generating a lot of buzz and taking some attendees back down memory lane. May 2010–M
Just say ‘thank you’
Apr 25th
http://jeanoram.com
“You look great in that dress!”
“Oh, this old thing?”
“You did a great job on that project!”
“It was OK. I messed up.”
“Congratulations!”
“Ah, it’s no big deal.”
Please, stop the nonsense. Just say ‘thank you.’
True, we can’t trust the authenticity of every compliment. But the fact that someone thinks enough to recognize what you’ve done warrants simple recognition—those two words. They carry a lot of weight. Growing up we were always told to say them. Why? It’s the polite thing to do, right? But somewhere between playing with Easy Bake Ovens and surfing the web on our smartphones, we’ve given the gesture double meaning.
Saying ‘Thank You’ = Showing Appreciation
Saying ‘Thank You’ = Being a Tad Bit Arrogant
I’m always struck by the difficulty some people have with accepting compliments. Getting those words out (especially when many people are looking) can be a real feat for me too. “It couldn’t have been that wonderful. They just can’t think of anything else to say.” “Will I come off a little pretentious?” “Does this person really mean it?”
The real question: why are we so quick to think the worst? To take it a step further, why are we so sure we aren’t worth it?
Life is too short to spend it worrying about things you will never know and people you will never change. All you can do is control how you react. And that first reaction shouldn’t be dressed up in doubt and distrust. As cliché as it sounds, everyone is special. There’s no denying that. Take pleasure and pride in who you are. Care enough about what you do to simply say, “thank you.” Get comfortable enough in your skin to feel beautiful, no matter who notices. Be flattered without relishing in it. You deserve acknowledgement.
So, as you go through your day, don’t sweat the “why” and the “who” behind compliments. Say ‘thank you,’ mean it and keep it moving.—M
From vision board to ‘Oprah’
Apr 23rd
You will see a good shot of me at 1:38. I’m sitting on the front row and wearing a pink top!
“If you want your life to be more rewarding, you have to change the way you think.” Oprah Winfrey, O Magazine
Imagine living out something you’ve dreamt about for years. What does it feel like? What does it sound like? Better yet, what does it really look like? If you’ve had an experience like that, chances are, you can’t remember all the details! At least that’s the case for me and my trip to the Oprah show.
I spent most of my time pinching myself….literally. There were a barrage of questions racing through my head–”Marissa, are you really here?” “Is that Oprah?” “Did Elton John just smile at me?” “Why can’t I see Russell Crowe’s face?” “Does the show have to end?” “Did that really just happen to me?” “Can I do it again?” “Will they catch me if I sneak in line for the next taping?” LOL.
Thank goodness for video because I can’t remember much of the details. But I DO remember the lessons. 1. Everything is possible. 2. Dreams are as real as you make them. 3. “Rise and rise again, until lambs become lions.”
Two years ago I put a picture of Oprah on my annual vision board (a picture collage containing things I want to manifest in my life). I said to myself, “I’m going to the Oprah Winfrey Show.” And, on April 16, 2010, I DID!–M
When your passion makes you cry
Apr 23rd
www.rasidi.net
Passions come from the soul. They shape our every move. Miracles don’t just happen in our lives. Everything starts with passion.
When we follow our passions, we can become inundated by negative messages and obtacles that block our way. Some of us end up surrendering to the pressure, giving up our dreams and accepting mediocrity. But dreams become reality for the passion chaser who discovers that longings are designed to strengthen, not weaken their possessors. Like a stream that gushes over rocks before plummeting down a ravishing waterfall, our flows of diligence and tenaciousness will one day meet their glorious ends.
But can you coast the waves?
My mentor told me a couple of years ago that he “loved” his line of work.
With wide-eyed enthusiasm, I blurted out, “Me, too!” He leaned forward and gazed into my eyes before asking, ”You say you have a passion, but have you felt your passion?”
I couldn’t come up with answer. In fact, I had never been asked that question before. He told me to think about it… “the time will come when you’ll figure it out.” Today I can proudly say I got it. That’s why I’m sharing this with you.
I’m a scribe. I’m a gabber. I’m a messenger. I’ve always been well aware of my calling. As I amass more responsibility and followers on this journey, I realize my passion warrants all my devotedness and even affliction in its formation. Right now I’m writing as folds of skin sag beneath my eyes and my fingers drag across the keyboard. Why? I must nourish my passion. I want to feel the warmth and comfort of my velvety pillow, but right now, my heart says write. So, that’s what I “feel” like doing…writing.
Passion ushers in countless revelations as it unveils our true companions, bolsters exciting ideas, and most importantly, divulges our inner complexities. Yes, I’ve bathed my passion. It’s drenched in salty teardrops and the sweat of my brow. However tucked in the dreariness lies euphoria– the epiphany that I know and “feel” my passion…and it is all my own.
Don’t fear watering your desires. One day you will reap the harvest and indulge in the fruits of your labor. Sometimes your tears help your passion grow. After all, challenges show us who we really are.
Smile through the tears, fatigue and uncertainty. Light shines at the opening of every tunnel…if you only dare to tread ahead.–M
Waiting for your light to turn green
Apr 23rd
www.ght.org.uk/news/category/WHO
We hate waiting in lines. Standing still makes us honk horns uncontrollably, conjure up ways to skip ahead and, in some instances, exit a scene altogether. Quite frankly, there’s too much to do, too much to say. We don’t have the time.
So, what happens when you wait? Well, the light turns green; someone moves over. The end or opportunity manifests. It’s a GO!
Like it or not, waiting precedes our lives’ breakthroughs. Right now you might be waiting for your chance to fly. And if you are, then you are perched on the threshold of miraculous change! But, as we well know, that realization often gets lost in the commotion. So how do you stave off fear, doubt and mediocrity? How do you avoid malicious attacks from coarsening your heart to stone? Well, you begin by working while you wait. Enjoy where you are. Learn all you can no matter the detour or build-up. Reinvigorate your passions.
In times of struggle–particularly during this economic downturn–it’s immensely important for you to grab hold of faith, courage and determination. Steep yourself in your creative juices. Re-invent your image. Develop your craft to a level of undeniable excellence. The beauty of being down is that you are in position to reach tremendous latitudes–if only you get up.
Behind every destination lies a journey. The journey is your power. Some people never see the end because they get out of line too soon. Some people never realize their full potential because they are too busy swerving in other cars’ lanes. Some people reach their destination only to realize they are out of gas. What will you do while you wait?
After reading Dennis Kimbro’s “What Makes Great Great,” I realized that honing your character and craft makes ALL the difference in the end. While you wait, don’t worry about getting bigger, focus on getting BETTER. Every great person–creatively or professionally speaking–is considered a master of his or her craft. Every great person waited in line for his or her turn. But once great people press the accelerator, they barrell past others with awe-inspiring intensity that places them in a class of their own.
Waiting doesn’t have to be a setback. In fact, if you change your perception, waiting can be one of the greatest launching pads of your life. While you wait, get better. Develop eagle-eye precision. Pray for the vision. See the vision. Get the vision. The creator directs the signal. Waiting isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Who knows, you could be next in line for your miracle–M
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