I and I

Two posts I saw this week linger on my mind and in my heart. The first is this clip from "The Great Dictator."

"The Great Dictator is a 1940 American political satire comedy-drama film written, directed, produced, scored by and starring Charlie Chaplin, following the tradition of many of his other films. Having been the only Hollywood film-maker to continue to make silent films well into the period of sound films, this was Chaplin's first true sound film.

Chaplin's film advanced a stirring, controversial condemnation of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, fascism, antisemitism, and the Nazis. At the time of its first release, the United States was still formally at peace with Nazi Germany. Chaplin plays both leading roles: a ruthless fascist dictator, and a persecuted Jewish barber.

The Great Dictator was popular with audiences, becoming Chaplin's most commercially successful film. Modern critics have also praised it as a historically significant film and an important work of satire. The Great Dictator was nominated for five Academy Awards - Outstanding Production, Best Actor, Best Writing (Original Screenplay), Best Supporting Actor for Jack Oakie, and Best Music (Original Score).

In his 1964 autobiography, Chaplin stated that he could not have made the film if he had known about the true extent of the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps at the time."

- wikipedia.org

Click here for more on "The Great Dictator" on wikipedia

The second is a reference to this statement/poem, "First They Came."

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out -

Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out -

Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out -

Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak for me."

- Pastor Martin Niemöller

"First they came... is a statement and poem written by Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892-1984) about the cowardice of German intellectuals following the Nazis' rise to power and subsequent purging of their chosen targets, group after group. Many variation and adaptations in the spirit of the original have been published in the English language. It deals with themes of persecution, guilt and responsibility."

- wikipedia.org

Click here for more on "First They Came" on wikipedia.org

I started my music career in a reggae band in Buffalo, NY where I was first introduced to the phrase "I and I." (Used in the Rastafarian religion in place of "you and me" to show that all people are equal under Jah. - UrbanDictionary.com) 

Here's hoping that I and I (we) can focus on remembering that we are all united in our one human family this week - and throughout our times of challenge.

Namaste,

T

#MiraclesHappen

It would be impossible not to notice the conflict and division that surround us this week...

As a new mom, I am also keenly aware of the miracles that surround us as well...

Through conflict and differences, may we discover opportunities for greater understanding and expansion of our perceived capacity to Love. #WereAllInThisTogether

Namaste,
T

If You Can...

If - 

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated, don't give way to hating

And yet don't look too good nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;

If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim,

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster,

And treat those two impostors just the same,
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone.
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

- Rudyard Kipling

This was almost included in last week's blog, but quite sufficiently stands on its own.

We are all capable of this kind of accomplishment. Blessed be our journey.

Namaste,
T

The Artistic Endeavor...

The booklet that accompanies my CD includes a quote from Martha Graham (as recounted by Agnes De Mille). It reads as follows:

"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is not how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. ... No artist is pleased. [There is] no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive..."

The Graham quote comes to mind in the wake of Meryl Streep's acceptance speech at the Golden Globe Awards:

Viola Davis's Introduction, Meryl Streep's Acceptance Speech:

I respect everyone's right to their own opinion. In my own artistic experience, I've come to believe that there is a special gift that comes with having to place yourself in another's shoes and portray their emotions effectively. To be able to step into another's shoes and make that person's point of view accessible, as one must do in an intensive role of dramatic acting, requires a great understanding of humanity.

I remember my favorite teacher of all time - my acting teacher - talking about playing various roles. He was speaking about playing the role of someone whose views may be COMPLETELY different from your own. What if you were playing the role of a psychopath, for example? In that character's mind, they are probably not TRYING to be psychotic. Similarly, a drunk person is not TRYING to act "drunk." They are trying to act normally within the context of their own ability. To portray them effectively, the actor must try to deeply understand their motivations, limitations, frustrations and inspirations. This is the level of human understanding we can expect from a studied, practiced, and gifted practitioner of the dramatic arts.

Regardless of your political views, I am a believer that we can ALL benefit from cultivating a practice of understanding one another better.

Here's hoping we can all step up our game a little in this department and be not afraid to stand up for ourselves and our beliefs in ways that are as brave, articulate, and inspiring to others as was Ms. Streep's speech.

Namaste,
T

2017 - Auld Lang Syne

New Year's Gig

We sing "Auld Lang Syne" every year. It's about time I learned more about it...

"It is sung all over the world, 

evoking a sense of belonging and fellowship, tinged with nostalgia."

- Scotland.org

Click here for "Auld Lang Syne" on Wikipedia

Click here for "The History and Words of Auld Lang Syne" on Scotland.org

Here's wishing everyone a happy, healthy and Blessed new year!

New Year's Gig

Namaste,
T