The Muse is Upon Me!

Last Saturday, February 18, 2012, I returned to performing for the first time in at least 6 years. I was in school plays throughout my childhood, and in my early adult years, I performed poetry and dramatic readings in coffee houses and other venues, plus the occasional karaoke night. When I worked at Build-A-Bear Workshop in 2002, I was almost always the one in the big bear mascot suit for special events, dancing out in front of the store and posing for pictures (best. job. ever!). Aside from that, performing has always been an intermittent hobby for me, something I really love doing when I can bring myself to overcome my kneejerk shyness, self-consciousness, and introverted nature.

My return to the stage was not a huge spectacle. I played a bit part in the Florida Renaissance Festival's pirate show, which mostly consisted of screaming, running away, and diving behind a tent when a firefight breaks out. I will likely reprise this role again a couple of times before the faire finishes it's run. The hubby and I are part of the pirate re-enactment group, but due to erratic work schedules, do not perform in every show. It has been a real learning experience for me, as I have always experienced the faire from a patron's perspective. It has also taught me a lot about my own ability to push aside the negative, self-loathing thoughts about myself that nag at me and put myself "out there." As the Divine is present in all things, this of course has been a "spiritual" experience for me, for lack of a better term. While I have had an academic knowledge of the Muses for quite some time, I have not had much of a connection with them beyond acknowlegement. Before the shows last weekend, I offered up a praise to them, Thalia in particular, as the show is comical, and asked for their blessing and influence. I prayed for inspiration and confidence to lose myself in the magic of performing, and to focus only on the good aspects of myself, during the show and always.

Overall, it was rather exhilirating, and the audiences seemed to really enjoy themselves. This story is a great example of how the Divine is within all things and in all moments. That is a part of my worldview that I always find comforting. I can find the joy, the transcendance, the purpose and the beauty in even the most mundane things simply by choosing to recognize it.

Below, you will see a picture of me in costume. YARR!