1 AM Breakdown, 2 AM Clarity

Sometimes, life is hard.
There will always be someone you miss.  And it doesn't matter how far away they are or how long they will be gone; it will always ache.
Happy memories will make you cry.
Sometimes you will be lost at sea, and the days will plow into you like waves, one after another, pummeling you into the sand.  And sometimes there will be no waves at all, and time will pass too slowly, and you will sit staring at the flat horizon all around with no idea which way to go.
The world changes.  So will you.

And it's scary.
But it's the good kind of scary.

So go on as many adventures as you can.
Read books.
Love everyone.  Unconditionally.  Yes, even that person.
Bear in mind that ice cream and music feed the soul.
And always remember that life is beautiful.
Not just in your Instagram pictures.  Not even just in your memory.  Celebrate life as it happens.
Even the hard stuff, because there is peace and joy on the way.  I promise.

The Mirror Up To Nature

"The purpose of playing...both at the first and now, was and is, to hold as 'twere themirror up to nature: to show virtue her feature, scorn her own image, and the very age and body of the time his form and pressure." Hamlet, Act III, scene ii

Those of you who recognize the "little candle" quote in the description of this blog may have guessed that I love Billy Shakespeare. (And for those of you who don't recognize it, it's from The Merchant of Venice, which is definitely worth a read.) I'm also an acting major, and while I know quite a few actors who aren't big fans of the Bard, a knowledge of and appreciation for his work kind of comes with the territory. Even if you find Shakespeare tedious or difficult to understand, I'm sure you've come across at least a few short quotes that showcase not only his gorgeous writing, but his unparalleled ability to understand the human condition.

This quote from Hamlet is special to me because it talks about the relationship between life and art. I am very passionate about the purpose that art serves in our world; through art, and, in this quote, specifically through theatre, society's flaws can be presented to an audience so that they can be recognized and hopefully even resolved. I believe in the significance of art and the power of artists. We are here to change the world for the better.

And so... this blog. It's just my own little way to share my thoughts and feelings as I wade into the wide world and try, like the little candle, to share what light I have with those who need it most.