Acting and Reacting

There's an old saying in the theatre: "There is no acting, only reacting."

That means that the truest acting means reacting to what actually is occurring on stage at that moment -- not what you rehearsed, but what is happening. The audience can tell, even if they can't articulate, the difference between being in the moment and being removed. The actors we remember understand the importance of presence.

Are you present in your own life? How often do you just enjoy the present moment and react to it? It's difficult to do. If we're in a meeting at work we're thinking about going home and when we're at home we're thinking about a project at work. The stars are the people who can concentrate on the present moment just a little better than the rest of us.

Today, try to focus fully on one of your tasks for ten minutes. Whether it's a job at work or dusting the furniture at home, don't let anything distract you. If you concentrate fully, you will be amazed at how much you can accomplish in a short period of time.

Don't act: React!