#9: Brave folk

Yes I know. I haven't posted in a while. Personal stuff, but now I'm back on track!

So the recent earthquake in Haiti really has me thinking about the human spirit. How people have the ability to overcome incredible or 'impossible' odds and prove to us that phoenixes are real.

Haitians are a very proud people, they're a very artistic people; they have shown us time and time again how strong that a person can be. They've also shown us that no matter where you come from, you can make something of yourself. This does not overshadow the millions of children who die from lack of food or clean drinking water, the women who are beaten and raped or the government that is almost non-existent.

So text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross(http://www.redcross.org/) or you can text UNICEF to 20222 to donate $10 to Unicef (http://www.unicef.org/)

But that's not what this post is about. We've heard lots of sad stuff lately, so I thought I would remind everyone that there is a lot of good stuff too, and that human beings (for all of their shortcomings and imperfections) are really amazing creatures. We have the ability to be compassionate, to love, to heal, to feel, to give aid, to take risks, and create.

Now don't get me wrong, our troops are some of the most heroic risk-takers out there, and yes there are some notable risk-takers that have made history books. But what about people who take risks everyday and go unnoticed? People like police officers, firefighters, EMT's, etc. They take their lives in their hands everyday in order to protect us. Granted some police officers don't deserve a badge, however lets not let a few douchebags shine a poor light on those that do.

Now we all know that I am a HUGE supporter of the arts, particularly the theatre. I don't talk about the risks that the actors take enough. In the words of Patty Duke: "Actors take risks all the time. We put ourselves on the line. It is creative to be able to interpret someone's words and breathe life into them". Lets not forget sacrificing time with family, and living in a crappy apartment surviving off of raman noodles and coffee, shivering under a blanket because you can't afford to turn up your heat beyond 67 in the middle of January. You think I'm kidding? Ask anyone who's been acting. Chances are they've been there or close to it or they've known someone who has been there. In these economic times, with shows closing left and right theres even more uncertainty. When you sign on with a show, you don't know if its going to last 3 years or 3 months. So really, you don't know how long this paycheck is going to last. That my friends is why I whole-heartedly support actors in their pursuit of a career in the theatre. Because we all know that the theatre fulfills whereas the cinema is empty.

While we're on this kick of average-joe risk takers, lets look at you. How many risks have YOU taken in your life? Do you take risks at all? Yes, there's a lot to loose in taking them, but trust me you'll loose so much more if you don't

There are so many other aspects of the human spirit that inspire me. The passion and ability to see hope in the darkest of times; along with the risk-takers, the ones who are willing to sacrifice a lot in order to fulfill their dreams. Those are the sparks of tomorrow. Don't put them out, encourage them.

At least, that's how I see it.
Cheers!