Focus
by Tommy
Einstein is quoted as saying that
“We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about.”
I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. I’ve always found myself happiest when engaged in something that takes up my full attention. I love having things planned and having things on the horizon. Whether this is something short like a day with friends or something long-term like a show doesn’t matter. I love focussing on something and devoting all my attention to it.
In 2010 I was cast in a production of “RENT”. As our opening drew closer, I found myself spending almost all my free time at our rehearsal space beside the quays. I loved coming to rehearsals and throwing myself into the role of “Mark”, the geeky and shy documentary film-maker. I especially loved “What You Own”, one of the songs I got to sing, a driving duet with tumultuous guitar riffs and pounding drums. I also found the words in the opening verse to be particularly applicable to me, in regard to how I spent life.
Don’t breath too deep
Don’t think all day
Dive into work
Drive the other way
That drip of hurt
That pint of shame
Goes away
Just play the game
I’ve always stopped myself over-analyzing things, not spending too much time dissecting something minute or worrying over things. Instead, I take my mind off those things by “diving into” whatever demanded my attention, even if they were something like exams.
I think it’s food for thought, how well can you shut down exterior distractions and focus solely on something ‘in the now’?
Photo: A very blurry Tommy sings “What You Own” in CentreSTAGE Youth Theatre’s production of RENT, April 2010.