I'm in the process of re-assessing a number of things in my life right now, and one of those is: exactly what do I get out of this hobby of ours?

As a purely selfish being, I do it for personal satisfaction; much in the same way I love giving gifts and doing things for others.  As an actor, and as a director, I love being able to take people out of themselves and transport them to a different time and place.  To entertain and instruct.  To get people to see the other side of somebody's coin.  To walk a mile in someone else's shoes.  To learn empathy, commonality, and sharing.  To laugh a while, or shed a tear or two.  To remind myself and others that we are all human, and to celebrate that fact.

Yes, some of the journeys are difficult, but that doesn't mean that the journey is not worth taking.  I don't do it to socialize, although I do enjoy the fellowship.  I don't do it for self-aggrandizement, although I readily accept a compliment.  I don't do it because I like being in charge, even though I sometimes am.  I do it to celebrate life in all its complexity.

Sorry if I sound maudlin, I just do it 'cause it makes me feels good; sometimes more than others, but there's always a silver lining - you just have to look for it.


Edited by edh915 - 6/06/12 at 11:56am

 Hard to say just why, but I know I really enjoy the challenge, if I knew everything about theatre, acting and directing I would give it up in a heartbeat. And learning new things, not just theatre stuff, but things the shows deal with, people, times, wars, it's all good.

I totally concur with pdavis69. It is what I was meant to do. It is my passion. It is what keeps me sane in what seems to be an ever increasingly chaotic life.