existence

Shakespeare a Day 15

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Othello and Desdemona, by Alexandre-Marie Colin

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“That death’s unnatural that kills for loving.” – Othello, the Moor of Venice

Love, such a short and simple word, and so much goes into it.  Most things we do during our days on Earth we do for Love – for love of someone, of something, for love of money, for love of success, for love of the planet, of its people, for love of material things … Whether that Love is right or wrong, in our minds, we do it just for Love.  Crimes of passion are said to be committed out of Love – love that has sickened and crossed the line towards death.  Even the denial of oneself for the pleasing of the loved one, is out of love.  All is done in the name of Love.  Love is pure, a higher essence; in our humanity, or twisted humanity, we corrupt it.

Today, think of it – what do you love?  why do you love?

Shakespeare a Day 14

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The Death of Desdemona, by Eugène Ferdinand Vi...

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“Had all his hairs been lives, my great revenge had stomach for them all.” – Othello, The Moor of Venice

This line is full of emotion, vengeance and anger – both strong and powerful emotions that can take over the best of our humanity.  It only takes a moment for those emotions to undo the best in us.  As humans, we experience a ray of feelings and emotions that can shape our behavior; the real power rests in how we deal with them.

My favorite authors are the ones that can tell a good story but also let me feel the emotions through the words in the page.

Shakespeare a Day 13

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Prospero and Miranda from a painting by Willia...

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“O Wonder!  How many goodly creatures are there here!  How beauteous mankind is!  O brave new world, that has such people in’t.” – The Tempest

We are wonders of creation.  We are capable of the most sublime and beautiful art, but also of the most hideous acts of cruelty.  This is what differentiate us and set us apart from other creatures here on Earth.  Yes, we can be “goodly creatures” and “beauteous” – and it would certainly take a new world order.

Shakespeare a Day 12

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"Falstaff and Mistress Quickly from 'The ...

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“Lust is but a bloody fire, kindled with unchaste desire, fed in heart, whose flames aspire as thoughts do blow them, higher and higher.  – The Merry Wives of Windsor

Whether we are talking about love, lust, or something else, what is in our thoughts feed our hearts.  If you think it much, it is deposited in your heart and becomes part of you, of what you believe, of who you are.  It shapes you, your immediate surroundings, and eventually your reality.

Shakespeare a Day 10

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Puck and the Fairies (from Midsummer Night’s D...

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“Lord, what fools these mortals be.” – A Midsummer Night’s Dream

One just ought to look around; but as fools as we might be, we are also capable of greatness, of beauty, of art, of soulful awe, of kind deeds, of self-less sacrifices, of loving deeds, of creativity.  And that is how we cannot deny our divine traces.

Shakespeare a Day 8

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“He hath a heart as sound as a bell and his tongue is the clapper; for what his heart thinks his tongue speaks.” – Much Ado About Nothing

Love it!  Our bells ring of love, hate, joy, sadness, passion, hurt, envy, anger, awe, spirit …  What ever melody we play inside, notes play on the outside.  Might as well become instruments for good, praise, and the highest Love.  In the end, the music we send out vibrates back to us.

Shakespeare a Day 7

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Malvolio and the Countess

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“But be not afraid of greatness; some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon ’em.”  (Twelfth Night, or What You Will)

This one is a very popular line and we have heard it a lot.  What I like about it is that it makes greatness accessible to all.  Despite our doubts and fears, we all have greatness in us – if we could only let it thru, let it shine.  We are works of art by a Creator of all things (my personal belief) and most times, we forget about that. 

We mesmerize while observing works of art at a Museum, while reading a poem, or a brilliant piece; however, we don’t do the same when we look in a mirror.  Why is that?  It puzzles me too.  Maybe it is because in failing to recognize this greatness we protect ourselves from being afraid of it, from letting it out – from stepping up to the plate and becoming great.

Shakespeare a Day 6

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Portia

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“The quality of mercy is not strain’d, it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven, upon the place beneath: it is twice bless’d; it blesseth him that gives and him that takes.” (The Merchant of Venice)

Mercy – The definition of mercy according to the American Heritage Dictionary

  • Compassionate treatment of an offender, enemy, etc; clemency.
  • A disposition to be kind and forgiving.
  • A fortunate occurrence.

Are we merciful with ourselves or do we beat ourselves up with self-criticism about our lives and work?  Whether we are the ones who take or give, mercy knows no difference.  However, it is up to us to look inside and understand the part that takes and the part that gives, and upon that understanding we might be able then, to be more merciful to ourselves.  It is then, that Creativity  will flow.

Shakespeare a Day 5

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Shylock After the Trial, describing Act II, Sc...

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“If you prick us, do we not bleed?  If you tickle us, do we not laugh?  If you poison us, do we not die?  And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?”  (The Merchant of Venice)

I love this one a lot; it is full of emotion and force.  My interpretation out of context – Many things happen to us throughout our lifetime, sometimes not so good things.  Life is short or life is long, we never know until it is taken from us and we have to move on to other pastures.  However, we can learn to pick our battles, to react to what truly matters.  Many times, we lose precious time fighting or worrying about silly things,or about aggravations that do not deserve our time and concern.  I have learned to value my time on this planet, and to pick my battles.

Shakespeare a Day 3

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President George W. Bush and President-elect B...

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“Men at some time are masters of their fates; the fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.”  ( Julius Caesar)

Many times, we tend to take the easy road and blame others instead of taking responsibility for our actions.  Nobody likes to feel guilty, ashamed, a failure …  it is normal to want to feel good, even when feeling good will deny reality and will become an excuse to blame others.

We are masters of our fates … I truly believe that; however, I also believe in a higher purpose – the one designed for our spiritual and soul’s growth.  I believe that we are not underlings, subordinates, inferior, unless we allow ourselves to feel that way.

Obama’s State of the Union speech last night resonates to that truth.  As a nation we have to realize that each one of us has a life to live responsibly, and to show for, and many roles to play in it – father, mother, writer, daughter, son …  Each one of us has a responsibility to this nation, to the world, to the planet, to our jobs, our family, friends, and loved ones.  Blaming others and playing underlings roles is not the way the United States of America came to be.