This Isn't a Dress Rehearsal

When you perform . . . you are out of yourself---larger and more patent, more beautiful. You are for minutes heroic. This is power. This is glory on earth. And it is yours, nightly.

---Agnes de Mille

You've probably heard the expression "life's not a dress rehearsal."

Unfortunately, many of us unconsciously act as if it were. Like an actress just going through the motions in order to conserve her creative energy and focus for opening night, we hold back. Perhaps you save the pretty china for when company comes; perhaps you're like me and rarely dress up when you're home alone. If we're not playing to an audience, does it really matter?

I think that's a good question to ask ourselves as we examine the quality of our real life journey. It does take more effort to set an inviting table, but it enhances our enjoyment of eating. We all feel better when we take those few extra minutes to fix our hair and put on a little make up, but what's more, we act different. Every actress knows the magic power of props and costumes to create special moods both onstage and off.

Now none of us can be expected to perform every minute of our lives. But a lot of us might tap into the power, excitement, and glory of Real Life more frequently if we cast ourselves as the leading ladies in our own lives.