Getting Past the Anticipation and Into the Dance of Life

Planning is good and all, but life can’t be planned. Theater, live music, and public speaking seem to share the dynamic we’re talking about here. If you’ve ever done the aforementioned activities, you’ll resonate with the nerves and anticipation ahead of time. 

Then, it starts.

Once the performance begins, the dance of reality becomes the new normal. Generally the nurse go away and the performer just does his/her best to make the next best decision. 

Separate of a two year period in middle school, I’ve never played in a band. I’ve definitely never done theater. But, I have done some public speaking. 

Far and away, the worst part is the lead up. As an introvert, I plan and rehearse in my head what I’d like to say, but once the talk starts the performance becomes what it becomes (and it’s rarely exactly what was planned). 

All this can be a reminder that life is this way, too. We’re just moving from current moment to current moment. That truth, like on stage, is much safer than the unrealistic feeling of pseudo-control and anticipation.

If the uncertainty of life is tripping you up, just get you hands around the moment and play. That’s all there is anyway.