Wednesday, February 29, 2012

All the World's a Stage and You Are the Star

We were talking about life the other day while driving in our car (we do that a lot!). We talked about how our lives often feel like a movie or a play. No matter who you are—whether you were born into a small obscure tribe in a faraway land or into a wealthy family in an urban city—each one of us is the star of our own movie, play, or story. And, each of us will be introduced to characters who will play key roles in our stories.

Most likely, there will be a person who will challenge us in some way. There will also be someone who will give us the chance to practice forgiveness, and someone of whom we will need to ask forgiveness. There will be someone who will inspire us. There will be someone who will teach us and someone who will be taught by us. And most importantly, there will be people who love and serve us, and those who will be loved and served by us. No matter who you are or where you live, you can heroically take center stage in your own play.

In the play, As You Like It, William Shakespeare wrote,
All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts.

We also love another quote that was cut in stone above a doorway in Stirling, Scotland: "What-e'er thou art, act well thy part."

Each of us plays an important role in the lives of others. Whether it be in your family or business relationships, may all of you play your part well. Commit now to be the "character" in another's story who inspires, serves, teaches, and loves.

The Scottish stone carving—"What-e'er thou art, act well thy part"