“All Things With A Passion!”
Going back through my blog, cleaning it up a bit, I came across the You-Tube video of Chris Bliss juggling - and the competing video of the juggler with a “professional” routine. Apparently, the juggling world was upset and outraged at the popularity of Chris Bliss’ simple routine. (Here it is again in case you missed it: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4776181634656145640 ) Now, I understand that Chris Bliss’ routine may not be the pinnacle of juggling complexity. And comparing the two videos, his is relatively slick while the other guy’s has a “home video” quality. Nonetheless, there is something compelling about Chris Bliss’ passion and mastery of his comparatively easy routine that makes it hypnotic. It seems to me the moral of the story is that we make things way harder than necessary. It isn’t important that you run faster, higher, stronger then the next guy. What matters is that you have such love for what you do that you are fully present in the moment that you’re doing it. THAT is the one little difference that makes all the difference! THAT is what makes a consummate performer like Yo-Yo Ma at the top of his field. When I saw Yo-Yo perform live a couple of years ago, he electrified the whole auditorium. And it wasn’t about his technical brilliance, which he certainly has, it was about taking “performance” to a whole new level. He and his cello literally breathed and sang as one. It is an evening I’ll not soon forget.
With The Olympics just around the corner, I wonder how many of those superbly disciplined athletes will remember to put all the preparation and training behind them and just revel in their excellence? The competition for which women gymnasts will be members of the U.S. team is currently going on - mere teenagers! Which is a whole other story… yet I can’t help but be reminded of the book and movie “The Way of the Peaceful Warrior.” The main character is a gymnast and at the end learns that it isn’t about winning competitions - it’s about loving what you do and being fully present in the moment that you are doing it. “It is the journey that makes us happy, not the destination.”
“All Things With Exuberance!”
mary!
