DaMon came over to our house tonight to watch the Tony Awards (which, according to wikipedia, recognizes achievement in live American theater). His long-time buddy Colman Domingo was performing jn the awards ceremony as part of the nominated best musical "Passing Strange." We both commented to each other how we've never really watched the Tony Awards before (I don't really watch the Oscars either) but it was exciting to see someone we actually knew on stage! Colman is pictured below in the open white shirt.
DaMon shared with me Colman's long journey of dedicated work over twenty years to make it to this particular shining moment in his life. He shared how it took every ounce of Colman's being to keep strong to his dream. I met Colman for the first time a few months ago in New York and we went to eat at this obscure Chinese restaurant with their friend Anika Noni Rose, a Tony Award winner herself for Carolina, or Change and also one of the Dreamgirls (alongside Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson). The Colman that I'm familiar with is the one who's already brilliant and successful.It's easy to watch these shows and see performers nominated and winning these high symbols of achievement. My usual thought has been, "Of course they're up there. They're obviously talented and skilled." But tonight, here was someone I knew who was talented and skilled. But he was on the Tony Awards because he had put his heart and soul day after day for over twenty years to hone his brilliance to become the person who truly deserved to be on the Tony Awards. It made me pause to think how I've taken for granted the many roads less traveled that so many people have taken to be the success that they are.
Some people have dreams of fame, fortune and riches beyond their wildest dreams. Others have dreams of creating a planet where the earth is clean, our economic livelihoods are sustainable, and notions of differences are celebrated. Others may have even more modest dreams, like finding the ideal romantic partner.
How we manifest our dreams is where the rubber hits the road. But I believe it's not our job to figure out the question of HOW we get to our dreams. Our biggest job is to uncover the WHAT, meaning "What do I really really really want?" and to HOLD THE VISION in our hearts with the active FAITH of knowing that what we want is already ours. And then rather than getting caught up in the details of how do I get from here to there, we ask ourselves the simple question, "What's my next step?" I would also add that we be open to possibilities of even greater things than we have imagined.
The Universe unfolds divinely to conspire towards our highest good. There are spiritual laws always at work in the Universe. When what you want comes from your heart and it feels really good, then everything begins to align together to bring you that good. Even if it looks like it's not going your way, when you hold the vision with active faith, be in a place of joyous expectation and witness how good shows up.
And so I congratulate Colman and all the other Tony Awards nominees for following their hearts passion and being the gifts that they are to the world. Keep on keeping on!
