This column appeared in the 3.1.06 edition of the Tribune & Georgian newspaper.
Inspiration is a unique and ephemeral thing. It emanates from people and experiences both expectedly and without warning. It transcends age, socio-economics, gender and ethnicity. And it can offer both anticipated and unimaginable results. The nature of this unique human convention makes the youthful dream and their elders take risks. Inspiration causes children to imagine future exploits of bravery and glorious proficiency in all manner of arts and athletics. It brings adults dreams of new beginnings, new inventions, and is the progenitor of opportunities, spiritual and material.
Inspiration is present in the remarkable achievements of athletes for whom the physical becomes secondary to the mental and emotional. I see it in the growing dreams of children whose lives become focused on that which they are learning to love passionately: the play, the dance and the ball field. The Olympics always seem to be replete with these inspirational moments and stories: consider Tanith Belbin (who gave up her Canadian citizenship to a first-ever ice dancing medal for the U.S.); also consider the unexpected giant slalom gold medal by Julia Mancuso, America’s first alpine skiing gold since 1984. After Mancuso skied to victory, her mother captured the essence of her daughter’s inspiration: “Just watch her. She’s been getting ready for this since she was three.”
This week, I had a couple of personal brushes with inspiration in action. A budding athlete I know has discovered his passion for baseball. While only five, his potential is clearly evident, especially to this grandfather. Whether playing catcher, shortstop or raking the ball off the tee all the way to the fence, he has found magic in the game his dad, uncle and grandpa dearly love. (We are all still coping with that interlaced NY on his new cap and jersey – will the baseball Gods forgive?) All those nights watching the Braves and visiting the ballpark, coupled with possessing the perfect nickname for an infielder (DP for David Paul), might have contributed to his newly realized inspiration. Whatever the source, after game one this week, the newest Yankee to wear #1 opted to spend an additional hour at the park, hitting and fielding, and then later slammed shots into the garden in his backyard for two more hours after he arrived home.
Example number two arrived in an email from a self-confessed proud mom. Last summer, her daughter was Edwina Spoonapple, advice-giver extraordinaire from Paw-Paw, Michigan, in “Dear Edwina, Jr.,” the inaugural Camden Summer Theatre youth musical. After that experience, which the young actress handled with aplomb and maturity beyond her years, the stage became her oyster. Voice lessons, auditions and a new part in Stage Aurora’s production of “Grease” have honed her passion to white heat. So this weekend, consider a visit to FCCJ’s North Campus to see “Grease,” with St. Marys’ Dowling Payne as Patti Simcox, really obnoxious cheerleader, yearbook editor and prom decorator. According to her mom, “she has loved being obnoxious.” She also added “this experience has been great for Dowling…she’s learned valuable life lessons along the way.” Call (904) 765-7372 for tickets or visit www.stageaurora.com. Dowling is in shows on 3.4 & 3.11 at 8 p.m. and the 3.5 matinee at 3 p.m.
There it is. Inspiration: authoring dreams and invigorating effort.
Opportunities for this week and the future: get a new coiffure for “Hairspray” at TUC through 3.5, don’t miss consummate pianist Emanuel Ax with JSO at TUC 3.2-4; enjoy The Florida Ballet’s repertory showcase “Spectrum,” at Florida Theatre, 3.4; make plans to experience Cirque du Soleil’s “Delirium” at the Veteran’s Memorial Arena on April 6&7.
2.25.06
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