I can’t possibly know everything. Yet I catch myself pretending I do all the time. One thing I’ve never quite understood is people’s (read: my own) lack of curiosity when they encounter contradictory information. We tend to get a bit too set in our ways, don’t you think? Of course it’s one thing to argueContinue reading “Tell Me More”
Tag Archives: empathy
Slow, Slow Start
A lot of what I write here takes the form of permission slips: “Forgive yourself for…” “Allow yourself to be…” (I think it’s pretty clear that I’m often writing these “slips” for myself. Is that self-absorbed? Maybe. But I also believe that what’s true for me can be true for others. For me, making artContinue reading “Slow, Slow Start”
Be a Goldfish
Has anyone been watching Ted Lasso? It’s a fantastic show. The protagonist has many quotable lines, but my favourite is “Be a goldfish.” There comes a point where you have to let go of that harmful event from your past. Goldfish are known to have limited memory spans and forget things quickly… So, be aContinue reading “Be a Goldfish”
Necessary Confrontation
Confrontation can be necessary in defining our own boundaries. It can be hard. It can be incredibly uncomfortable and awkward. But leaning in to difficult (and curiosity-based) conversations opens the door to learning so much about ourselves. How can we possibly know our limitations and those of others without… talking?
Only Enthusiasm
There are people who are very intrigued by the work you’re putting out there. Sure, there may be some who have voiced disapproval, but if they can’t engage in honest conversation about how your work confuses or somehow hurts them then they don’t deserve your focus. Those you allow directly behind or beside you whileContinue reading “Only Enthusiasm”
Why Theatre Rocks and Facebook Sucks
I’m always skeptical of any piece of art that posits some sort of fundamental truth. Theatre is effective in its complexity. It presents contradictory characters with various perspectives and experiences. It’s a playground of multiple ideologies, demonstrating possible conflicts and inviting audiences to empathize with different points of view. That in itself is a truthfulContinue reading “Why Theatre Rocks and Facebook Sucks”
Stubborn Routines
Stick to your routine even (especially?) when it pisses people off. I’m drawn to what Glennon Doyle writes in Untamed: “Every time you’re given a choice between disappointing someone else and disappointing yourself, your duty is to disappoint that someone else. Your job, throughout your entire life, is to disappoint as many people as itContinue reading “Stubborn Routines”
Strength Required
Art is rejuvenating. Every day of this pandemic we seek solace in books, television, digital theatre… we are depending on art to ground us. But sometimes it takes strength to lean in and listen to all of what the work is trying to say. Art is often political. It’s often chock-full of raw emotions. AndContinue reading “Strength Required”
luke brown 