Sunset Over Manhattan

I've been so busy over the past bunch of monthes that I haven't had as much time for long walks.  This is kind of a shame, because I love long walks, but also awesome because I'm pursuing all kinds of interesting things like teaching, martial arts, and oh, right, that almost full-time yoga teacher school that I will be finished with in four weeks.  Holy cow.  

One thing yoga has really been confirming for me, is to take time and enjoy the little moments in the present.  This is something I already knew, and, if I didn't, it's all over the internet, and in every self-help book that's ever been published.  But, seriously, take a second, look around you, and be in the moment.  I'm learning a lot more of the psychology and science of this concept in my classes, because it's not just an intrinsic portion of yoga, it's essential and one of the goals along the journey.  It's so healthy to do this- to just experience what is happening instead of being wrapped up in your mind.

Actors have this problem basically all of the time.  It's possibly the number one problem I see for actors, and I'm becoming obsessed with how, through the body and voice, to teach my students how to break free of this.  My hypotheses are plentiful, and I'm learning that the answers are different for each individual person, but that certain exercises work for more than others.

This brings me to my next thing- it's not just actors who can benefit from this- working on the body, the voice, and the mind.  Everyone can.  What do I want to do about this?  Not sure yet.  We'll see.

In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy my beautiful, long walks, like this one over the Manhattan Bridge.  The view of the sun setting over the financial district.  The vibrant glow of bright spray paint and metal in its rays.  The small flowers along the side of the path.  

 

The little things.  Life.

Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Where Is the Wonder? Where's the Awe?

Where is the wonder? Where's the awe?
Where are the sleepless nights I used to live for?
Before the years take me
I wish to see the lost in me.

Some lyrics from my favourite band Nightwish's song, "I Want My Tears Back".

In case you didn't know, yes, I listen to metal, and yes, metal bands have the most incredibly wonderful names. Seriously.  Night.  Wish.  One of my coworkers was having a delightful time poking fun at the name the other day and, well, he was absolutely correct.  It's a hilarious, yet totally awesome name.  I wish for night.  It makes so much sense when you listen to their music.

Welp, there it is.

Anyway, I've been contemplating these lyrics... "I wish to see the lost in me".  Woah.  The first bunch of times I heard the song, I was pretty certain that the lyric was "lust," not "lost," because it's an angry breakup song and that, gramatically makes more sense.  But, they are Finnish, and have thick accents, so "lost" sounded like "lust," and what I thought was a lyric about hoping to have more sex is actually quite a bit deeper.

The more you think about it, honestly, the deeper it gets.  The lost in me.  What's lost in me?  Who am I in there that I don't know?  What is inside me that's lost?  What have I lost?  Is something lost?
WHAT IS HAPPENING.  WHO AM I.

"It's like I feel these chains, like, holding me down, you know?  It's like all emotional and hard and stuff.  So, like, totally not cool, ya know?  It's all like eating me up inside and stuff.  I feel like a My Chemical Romance album.  Dude. Like seriously.  I might even actually cry like right now.  Woah.  I feel no wonder, man.  I'm all, like, lost inside and stuff.  Like, I'm not awed.  And I'm getting, like, old."~ some emo guy

Why did I lose my wonder?  Why can I not feel awe?  What happened to me that I don't stay up all night pursing activities I love any more?  What are these activities?  Am I getting old?

It's  a metal lyric.  It's a lyric in a metal song.  And look at what it's done.  Look how deep it is.  It's such poetry. Woah, I'm such a goth kid.  Really, though, guys, think about it.  What is lost in you?  What did you used to have that you now don't?  What did you used to be that you now aren't?  That's some heavy soul searching right there.

My new life goal- try not to lose anything.
Don't lose anything.
  Don't lose the wonder.
Don't lose the awe.

 Be fascinated and impressed.  Thrive on excitement, and new experiences.  Find something original and beautiful in each rising day.  Stay up when I'm motivated, and get done what I want to.  Discover time to engage in what makes me feel most alive.  Lose nothing.

Because, the years will take me.  They take us all.

 

However, it's our fault if we lose anything along the way.  Not anyone else's fault- just ours.  No one can take away from you what you don't let them.

Namaste kiddos.

Love,
Emily

Early Spring

Spring sprung really early this year- these photographs were taken in Columbus Park in Chinatown in early February!  The pink blossoms were already blooming.  I had the pleasure of sitting in the park with a bun and a coffee.

I'm looking at this as a good omen for the upcoming year.  Beautiful things will come earlier than expected, and last... forever.  That's it.  That's what will happen.

Happy Spring!!  Happy Easter to those celebrating it today!

Thanks for reading!


~Emily