Volume 1, Issue 5

Life isn’t just a dress rehearsal

Do you know who you are? I mean REALLY know who you are – what makes you happy/sad, why people and the silliest things affect you the way they do?

I once heard someone say that life is just a dress rehearsal - preparation for something better than the here and now. If that’s the case, perhaps we should take the time get to know ourselves better by understanding the significance of our experiences and appreciating the roles of the people in our lives.

I’ll use the “Play” analogy to better explain what I mean.

SCRIPT NOTES

The Play is called “Getting to know myself”

Starring – ( Insert your name) as Director and Star of the Play

Supporting Cast

Your spouse/significant other
Parents/siblings
Children
Nosy Neighbor
Always depressed/happy friends
Acquaintances/person who bumps into you on the way to work
Police officer who stops you for speeding
Happy/unhappy client/always bubbly co-worker
Etc. etc.
As Director:

Allow yourself to remember that you can see the big picture. Your job is to guide the Star in a direction that will help him/her realize their hidden talents. You remind the Star that it’s what’s hidden beneath the surface that makes for a great performance.
Allow yourself to remember that the Star’s ego can influence their behavior and attitude and your job is to help keep him/her focused on the bigger picture
As the Star:

You get to interact with a variety of supporting characters whose “soul” purpose is to help you shine. Don’t be fooled though, they can be so convincing in their roles that you sometimes forget that it’s a play and this is just a dress rehearsal.
Remember that you are also the Director – you have more control of how things will unfold than the supporting characters may think.
The challenge - Directing yourself isn’t easy – Don’t get so caught up in the drama that you lose focus and control.

Additional Notes :

The supporting cast will change from Act to Act, their role is vital to fully developing the Star’s Character. Appreciate how well they do their job; they are convinced it’s a real drama.
The supporting characters are Stars in their own dress rehearsal and you are the supporting actor in their play.
Reality Check – Life isn’t a dress rehearsal – it’s the main act.

ACT I - Living your life fully conscious of who you really are.

The End

For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin--real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, and a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.
Alfred D. Souza