The Vs. Studio Blog

“Objective judgment, now at this very moment. Unselfish action, now at this very moment. Willing acceptance—now at this very moment—of all external events. That’s all you need.” -Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

Pierre Hadot in his book, “The Inner Citadel” discusses in detail the three most important disciplines of Stoicism. They are Perception, Action and Will. Here’s a cheat sheet…

Perceive things as they actually are. Not as you want them to be. Maintain absolute objectivity of thought.

Act based on your clear perceptions and in accordance with nature. Remember that we were made for others, not ourselves.

Will your actions into being regardless of obstacles. Focus on what you can control and ignore the rest.

“Secret of life is to stay hydrated. The brain can’t think if it ain’t hydrated, s’a natural fact. Drink up. They say eight glasses a day, eight ounces each. I say why stop there? No such thing as too much of a good thing. It’s a good thing, it’s a good thing. It’s not, it’s not, don’t do it.” -“Dom The Bartender” from the play Cops And Friends Of Cops by Ron Klier

Let’s face it, when embarking on our passion project we will have plenty of down days. Where it’s a slog. Before we decide to bail on our project though because “we’re not feeling it” or it’s “just not fun anymore” and we think we’ve made a mistake, we should first check-in with ourselves. Mentally and physically. Ask ourselves some very basic questions like…

Did I get enough sleep last night?

Did I drink enough water today?

How’s my food intake? Has my diet been pretty clean?

What’s my caffeine and alcohol intake been like recently?

Am I getting enough exercise? Including yoga or stretching?

When’s the last time I went for a walk, got some fresh air, felt the sun and wind on my face?

What’s my news and social media intake been like recently?

When’s the last time I had a good laugh or cry or thought and felt something deeply? See this Jim Valvano clip.

When’s the last time I had a really good conversation with someone?

Have I read any good books, seen any good movies, listened to any really good music, consumed any great art recently? Have I been inspired?

(Depending on if you have one) What’s my spiritual practice been like?

When’s the last time I felt or expressed gratitude?

Have I helped anyone recently?

When’s the last time I enjoyed quiet for an extended period of time?

These questions–and no doubt, you’ll have your own questions–are not meant to make us feel bad about our shortcomings. Far from it. They’re just opportunities for us to check in and recalibrate. That way, we can stay the course on our passion project. Not give up based on short-term feelings.

It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep, plenty of water and a long walk can do for our mood and outlook.

“We are our choices.” -Sartre

First off, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Here’s to clean slates, making art and brighter days ahead. I hope this year is everything you want it to be.

For those of you who believe in resolutions, I’m rooting for you. Here’s a past New Yorker article that sheds light on why we make and have trouble keeping them. Also, the single best book I’ve ever read on habits (I’ve recommended before) is James Clear’s “Atomic Habits.” He goes in depth on the science of habits, why they’re so important, and how to make and stick to them (hint: link your identity to your habits).

Easily, my favorite book of 2020 was Andre Gregory’s “This Is Not My Memoir.”  I’ve long been a huge fan of his.  “Vanya on 42nd Street”, Louis Malle’s brilliant film detailing Gregory’s fourteen-year odyssey with Chekov’s “Uncle Vanya” (my anchor play for 2021) is a must watch. As is “My Dinner With Andre” also directed by Louis Malle, which basically captures one long, riveting conversation between Gregory and his friend and playwright, Wallace Shawn.

Gregory is a legendary theatre director who values process above all else. His book is a page turner, filled with remarkable stories and at times, brutal candor about his shortcomings. One section which particularly struck a chord was about his early directing failures. Gregory was fired from multiple theatres in his twenties, including one that he founded!

How many of us, if in the same situation, would take these firings as a sign that directing was just “not in the cards?” That the “universe was trying to tell us something.”  But Gregory didn’t.  He treated them as learning experiences. How to get better. What not to do. Steps on the road to figuring out what he was trying to say and why. In addition to tenacity which Gregory says is his greatest gift, I would argue that he bounced back each time because had first decided on a life in the theatre.  No matter what. Once he decided that, then he interpreted everything that happened to him through this lens. I’m not suggesting these failures weren’t hard on him.  They were brutal. But he didn’t let them stop him. That led to him forming another theatre company, The Manhattan Project, which then led to his breakthrough production of “Alice In Wonderland.” And many more triumphs.

If you’re thinking about doing something, don’t wait for a sign or someone to tell you that you should do it. That’s it a good idea. Just listen to your heart and decide. Start. Take action. Then you can interpret everything that happens the way YOU want. Through your own decision lens.

“A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.” -Franklin D. Roosevelt

This is my final post of 2020. #263. 5 days a week. Monday thru Friday. 52 weeks. I’m proud I never missed a day. (Includes 3 bonus posts…My attempt at a monthly newsletter highlighting some favorite things– “Fellow Traveler”–came up a little short.)

Thank you everyone for reading, for commenting, for sharing these posts with others, and for encouraging me. What started out as just a daily commitment I made to myself on December 31, 2019, has turned in to so much more. And that’s all because of YOU. Know that I am very grateful.

I also must give thanks to Seth Godin. Hearing him repeatedly extol the virtues of writing a daily blog made we want to try. Check his out Here. It’s excellent. And he’s been doing it 7 days a week for over a decade. Talk about discipline and commitment!

I hope this blog has helped you in some small way. I didn’t know if I would continue past this year. But I love doing it and am keeping it rolling. So you’ll be hearing from me again tomorrow, Friday. The first day of…

2021.

Whoa. We’re so close.

It can’t get here soon enough. I know.

But before you say “Hasta La Vista Baby” to 2020, take a moment to congratulate yourself on your grit and your resiliency. Realize that you’re much stronger than you were a year ago. Remember any thoughts, any lessons, any consistent practices you want to carry forward. And if there’s something you’ve been thinking about doing, now’s the time. Memento Mori.

I, and the rest of the world, can’t wait to see what you do. What art you make. What passion you manifest.

You’re ready. Get after it.

Earlier this year I wrote a post entitled “Look Forward To Look Back.” It was about asking yourself questions of how you want to feel in the year ahead.

Consider this post its companion piece.

Tim Ferriss advises that instead of setting resolutions for the new year, we should do a Past Year Review. The process basically entails reviewing your calendar or how you spent your time over the past twelve months. Ask yourself what people, activities and commitments triggered peak positive or negative emotions. Don’t judge. Don’t worry about what you should have liked or felt. Just be honest with yourself.

For the upcoming year ahead– and this is key–ensure you schedule more of the good and avoid the bad. That’s it. By taking action now, committing ahead of time to doing those things that give you joy, you’re set up for a successful year ahead.

The review and the schedule is all the resolution you need.

“How long must you wait until you demand the best of yourself?” -Epictetus

What hard decision have you been deliberately putting off?

Consider the rock-climber who comes up against a section of slick granite that offers no ledges or cracks to grasp. You have two choices: abandon the climb or risk a move like “the pendulum.”

Just like it sounds, the pendulum works this way: Reach high above your head, fasten a loop with a metal nut and slide the rope through the loop. Then climb down a few feet, dangle on the end of the rope into empty space and try to swing across the sheer section. It takes nerve. It takes guts. You have to lean out into empty space and vault yourself across the face of the cliff. If your lunge to a safe spot fails, you swing back and try again.

Once you’ve crossed through the pendulum, you pull the rope all the way through the loop and from then on, there’s no turning back. The loop is now out of your reach and the rope coiled at your feet. You only have one direction you can go.

Up.

“And you ask ‘what if I fall?’ Oh but my darling, what if you fly?’ -Erin Hanson

Just like mood always follows action, how always follows why.

How you do something is far less important than why you do something. You’ll figure out your how. Strengthen your why. Fortify it. Because that’s what will get tested by life and circumstance. Repeatedly.

Ensure that you have a hunger and burning desire to do the thing inside your head. No matter what.

The how will take care of itself.

When you decide to manifest your passion project–especially if it involves collaboration like producing a play or making a film or starting a business–you create the space for two sacred things to emerge.

Meaningful Work.

Meaningful Community.

What wonderful gifts to give yourself and more importantly, to others!

“You know what it’s like around here? I have watched television. I have seen Brochures. It is impossible to not All the Time be thinking about how other people have Lives, Jack. Other people talk to people. [There’s people out there that all they do is Talk to one another] and there’s me.” -from the play On An Average Day by John Kolvenbach

Loneliness is pervasive and running rampant right now. It’s the Holidays and we’ve been living through an unprecedented time of isolation.

Know someone who might be feeling this way? Reach out to them. A quick text or better yet a phone call checking in on them, saying hello. It will make such a huge difference.

Do it. Do it now. You’ll be glad you did.

When you do something you’re absolutely passionate about…

Best case: People love it in all the ways you hoped for and then some.

Worst case: They don’t like it. It’s not for them. BUT, they might appreciate and feel (even if they don’t express it and chances are they won’t) that a whole lotta love, care and attention went into what you were trying to make.

Worst case isn’t so bad, is it?

Go make your art.