The Vs. Studio Blog

“Reason shows us there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.” -Seneca, Letters To A Stoic

“Every being in the universe is an expression of the Tao. It springs into existence, unconscious, perfect, free, takes on a physical body, lets circumstances complete it. That is why every being spontaneously honors the Tao.” – Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, Stephen Mitchell translation

Having an attitude of gratitude isn’t selective. It’s not something we reserve only for the good times. It’s for ALL times. For everything that happens to us.

A good mantra to practice is “Thanks for everything.”

The author Stephen Mitchell in his translation of the Tao Te Ching–which by the way is phenomenal, a must read–relates a wonderful Japanese story told in Zenkei Shibayama Roshi’s “A Flower Does Not Talk.”…

A hundred and fifty years ago there lived a woman named Sono, whose devotion and purity of heart were respected far and wide. Ony day a fellow Buddhist, having made a long trip to see her, asked “What can I do to put my heart at rest?” She said, “Every morning and every evening, and whenever anything happens to you, keep on saying, “Thanks for everything. I have no complaint whatsoever.” The man did as he was instructed, for a whole year, but his heart was still not at peace. He returned to Sono, crestfallen. “I’ve said your prayer over and over, and yet nothing in my life has changed; I’m still the same selfish person as before. What should I do now?” Sono immediately said, “Thanks for everything. I have no complaint whatsoever.” On hearing these words, the man was able to open his spiritual eye, and returned home with great joy.

“At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: “I have to go to work — as a human being. What do I have to complain of, if I’m going to do what I was born for — the things I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?” -Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

“It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through.” -Zig Ziglar

One of the many reasons I love Meditations is that it was never intended for publication. It’s a collection of Marcus Aurelius’ journal entries, his innermost thoughts, written to himself as he navigated the world. As you read it, you can almost feel him willing himself to act in the face of huge obstacles. The journal was later found, published and passed down for future generations. And we’re the lucky beneficiaries.

If Marcus, Emperor of Rome and most powerful person in the world had trouble getting out of bed, we should forgive ourselves when we don’t feel like doing it either. It’s our character, our commitments, our discipline, our habits, our desire to make art and make change in the world that gets us to overcome our laziness.

Rise and Shine. We’ve got work to do.

“The world is violent and mercurial–it will have its way with you. We are saved by love–love for each other and the love that we pour into the art we feel compelled to share: being a parent; being a writer; being a painter; being a friend. We live in a perpetually burning building, and what we must save from it, all the time, is love.” -Tennessee Williams

Just like love is best when thought of as a verb, an action, something you do or give to someone else, “willing the good of the other” as St. Thomas Aquinas wrote, so is art.

Art is doing something that might not work for the benefit of others.

And the best art always comes from deep love.

If you doubt that your art can make a difference, consider just one example…

When the Continental Army were struggling to survive a long, brutal winter at Valley Forge, George Washington decided to stage a play, Cato by Joseph Addison, to lift their spirits.

You can’t predict what effect your art will have. But you can listen to your heart and have the courage to manifest what’s inside.

We need your art. Now, tomorrow and thereafter.

What are you waiting for?

“Be careful, however, lest this reading of many authors and books of every sort may tend to make you discursive and unsteady. You must linger among a limited number of master-thinkers, and digest their works, if you would derive ideas which shall win firm hold in your mind. Everywhere means nowhere.” -Seneca, Letters From A Stoic

I gotta get away from this day-to-day running around. Everybody knows this is nowhere.” -Neil Young from his song, Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere

When you’re tempted to reach for something new, think about returning to something old. Something that once inspired you. See what another pass at it does to you today. Does it still hold up? Does it resonate even deeper?

The best things, the timeless classics, have that rare ability to still feel fresh every time out. They affect us in different and unexpected ways depending on where we are in our lives.

We don’t need a bigger library. We just need the right library.

We don’t need to be everywhere. We just need to be right here.

“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.