The Smile Off Your Face

I had an amazing experience today. It started out normal, but something was special. There was sunshine in the sky after my wonderful night before and I woke up at a reasonable hour. And then I went to the girls' LAX game for state. Sadly, they lost. But they did well. I am proud of them. After coming down from the plateau I ate lunch quickly and then headed to Seattle and had the most fascinating and exuberant experience of my life.

At the Giant Magnet (the new name for the Seattle Children's International Festival) there was a special teenage theater production called The Smile Off Your Face by the Belgian group Ontroerend Goed. (website: http://www.ontroerendgoed.be/smileengfr.php) It was my birthday present. And I was surprised. I was first placed gently in a wheelchair and then politely blindfolded and then my wrists were tied together. I then placed my entire faith in this troupe of Belgian actors and actresses. They played with the senses with a variety of sensory sparks with my ears, touch, and taste. And no, it wasn't perverted in anyway; it was purely beautiful. I realized so much about my life and it really put perspective in the way I live my life. Words cannot fully describe the effect it had on my senses, emotions, and self-perception. My mind has been opened to so many worlds and future possibilities. If anything I feel a sense of sustained hope and acceptance of myself as I am.

I have so many goals. I have so many dreams. I have so many opportunities. But life isn't about chasing them. Life is about experiencing the journey! Life is about going crazy studying, losing sleep, and making senseless decisions and then spontaneously taking a deep breath and going off to watch the view from the top of the Highlands. Life is about the arduous hike up Alpental to climb over the ridge in the ninety-degree weather and see snow. Life is about pushing your body to the point of exhaustion three times over plus one hundred and then to the power of one thousand and just pushing it a bit more. Life is about that first kiss you subtly make and how spectacular it is through every lasting moment. Life is about love, hope, harmony, understanding, silence, music, art, laughter, argument, hands, smiles, family, friends, and most of all acceptance.

As I watched the season finale of Grey's Anatomy:

(big spoiler alert!!!)



It is so beautiful these last five minutes. It made me cry. It made me think. It made me feel thankful for my friends. It made me want to enjoy every moment that I have on this Earth. It made me want to live my life and cherish every friendship, bond, and opportunity. But the music "Off I Go" by Greg Laswell - and the beautiful elevator ending just brought full tears to my eyes. It was so deep and so beautiful. It makes us realize how important it is to live the moment. To love your friends. To love your family. To love yourself. To respect the world.

As Meredith says, "It might all be gone tomorrow." Impermanence is the theme of life.