Just a simple congratulations and a few words of encouragement. I like to keep things like that. Moments.
Sometimes I need to dig into the reserve when the tank is empty.
After hitting a rough patch this week I came across a card a friend had written to me a while back after opening night of my first play. I remembered how grateful I was to receive the card and how much it had meant to me. A quick flashback of the hug, the smiles, and the support. I might not have remembered what everyone said to me exactly, but I remembered how it felt. How I felt.
I got this. I took everything that came at me and I put it on stage and was able to write a comedic family story with some dramatic moments interlaced between scenes that ended the festival with laughter and applause. Everyone deserves a standing ovation at one point in their life. Everyone. And that’s the time I got mine … and I earned it.
It just takes a brief moment to help remind me of that, to remind me that I had courage once and that I could do it again. I sent my friend a text and thanked her for the card she probably forgot she had written. I wanted her to know that after a couple of years, it still mattered, her words, her support. It still helped me.
Sometimes that happens with a song too. I’ve talked about walk-up songs before, the kind that baseball players have as they’re walking up to the plate. And so to build off of my friend’s card, I busted out some tunes that would continue that I-can-do-it-feel-good vibe, because the momentum was building and I needed to feed off of it. If I hadn’t, the moment would be gone. Sports and life are similar that way, momentum plays a big part in everyone’s success.
So I’m hoping you’re riding your wave and you find old notes, and tunes that get you going in the right direction.
Buen Camino …
Irene Cara — What a Feeling
Kool and The Gang — Celebration
Randy Newman — I Love L.A.
Mary J. Blige — Just Fine
Celia Cruz — Rie y Llora
Groovie Goolies — Monster Mash
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