Is personal tragedy really such a bad thing?
by Alex Syiek (Writer/Performer)
A friend of mine reminded me of an Oscar Wilde quote the other week:
"There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it."
It's the 'artist's struggle', isn't it?
An actor goes to hundreds of auditions. Shut down, time and time again. Early mornings, he's rushing to the cattle call, just to find that the "room where it happens" has no time for him.
A writer dreams up hundreds of ideas. Draft after draft, submission after submission. Every time he fixes one problem with - the script, the book, the copy - another problem arises.
It's a tragedy, ain't it?
Those same artists - the actor - he gets his dream role - the writer - he gets his book on the New York Times Best Seller List. But what then?
What does the actor strive for once he has done the thing he wanted most? What does the writer follow the book of his dreams with?
It's a tragedy.
We're never satisfied, and then, when we should be, we worry, we wonder, we wile away our hours thinking about how things could have gone "more" in our favor. About how being great again will be too difficult. Because we are selfish, insecure bastards.
Well, this selfish, insecure bastard (two thumbs towards me) been getting a bit of what I want lately. And I have to say, it's actually not-half-bad. Not tragic, at least, I should say. I had my thoughts about "what if I did this differently?" or "why did I say that stupid thing to that person?" And it is pushing me towards the "following the book of my dreams" situation mentioned above. But honestly, I love that. Always have. I constantly need a fire under my ass. I like a warm, warm ass.
I rewatched one of my favorite movies the other night, Whiplash. While J.K. Simmons' character in the film is indeed terrifying and manipulative, I can't help but fall in love with him every time I watch it. He tells Miles Teller's character at one point that Charlie Parker wouldn't be Charlie Parker is someone told him that he did a "good job." He had to be pushed. Artists have to be pushed. To be the best that can be.
Whether you call 'not getting what you want/getting exactly what you want' a tragedy or not, there will always be something you can strive for. Something to work your ass off getting, or topping yourself. Become one of the greats. Embrace the tragedy, folks. It's here, there, and everywhere.
Amen!
Posted by: David Davila | Friday, August 12, 2016 at 08:37 AM