Color Your Life Happy

Do you want to reach goals or make changes in your life? Are you willing to do what it takes to bring these about?

I recently had an experience that demonstates what happens when you are willing to do what it takes. 

Last weekend I went to see the musical “The Color Purple” at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles, CA with a group of theater-goers from Santa Ana College. We parked our cars at the college and went by charter bus into L.A. I chose going with this group so I wouldn’t have to drive.

When we made our way to our seats I was disappointed to see that we were in the highest balcony,  jokingly called the “nose bleed” section. Whoever designed that steep slope of a balcony in the Ahmanson Theater must never have had to sit there. I’m not squeamish, but I was beginning to realize that I was not going to enjoy this musical so many miles from the stage, with the actors appearing three inches tall.

It was still 20 minutes before curtain. I was so discontent. A feeling of settling for less than I deserved welled up inside me. Different scenarios and dialogue started playing loudly in my head.

“I refuse to sit in these inadequate seats.”
“Who do you think you are? Everyone else seems to be okay even though they are complaining about how high up these seats are.”
“That’s them. I’m not happy.”
“What are you going to do about it? The musical is about to start.”
“I don’t know, but there’s no way I’m going to enjoy the show in this seat.”
“I wonder if they have any available seats left in the lower levels?”
“Go and see.”
“You’re willing to spend more money on another seat?”
“Yes, I’m willing to buy another seat.”
“I’m going to the box office and buy another seat in Orchestra, or at least Mezzanine.”
“What if they don’t have seats left?”
“If they don’t any available have seats, I’ll just call a friend to pick me up.”
“Hell! I’d rather hang out in the lobby than sit in this seat!”
“You mean you’re willing to make all those folks between you and aisle get up to let you out?”
“Yep. I’m outta here.” 

I rose from my seat and slid my way to the aisle, ” Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me. . .” causing people to pop up like so many Jack-in-the-boxes.

As I approached the ticket booth outside the theater, a lady walked up to me.

“Do you need a ticket for this performance?” she inquired.

“Where is the seat?” I asked, leaning over to verify that it was a better section than I had been in.

“Mezzanine,” she announced.

“Great! Are you trying to sell it or give it away?” I checked.

“You may have it for free because my friend couldn’t come,” she explained.

“Thank you,” I said as she placed the ticket in my outstretched hand.

I felt very satisfied, but now wanted to try to give away my balcony seat if possible.  I began scanning the approaching crowd trying to spot anyone headed to the ticket booth.

Just then a gentleman approached me extending a ticket toward me.

“Would you like a free ticket to today’s performance? My wife couldn’t attend.” he explained

“Where is the seat?” I inquired.  I definitely wasn’t going to settle now.

“Oh, it’s a great seat, ” he insisted practically begging me to accept this free ticket. “It’s in Orchestra.”

“Thanks!” I said, swooping the ticket from his hand.

Now I had three tickets to this performance. I tried to give away my two extra tickets, but found no takers.

It was now less than 10 minutes before curtain, so I gave up trying to give away my extra tickets and dashed to my seat.

I enjoyed the performance immensely in my wonderful seat 11 rows from the stage. I saw every nuance of the performance, telling facial gestures and the lively directing of the orchestra leader. The stirring vocal and dance performances and heartwarming story were made even better by my proximity to the action.

I am positive that I would not have attracted this great seat into my life if I had not first been willing to do whatever it took. 

Please note I didn’t have to take any of the drastic actions that played out in my head. I just had to be willing to do them.

I strongly believe that when you refuse to accept what you don’t want, declare with passion what you do want and are willing to do what it takes to get it, the universe conspires to bring what you want and place it in your hands.

P.S.  I wiped back my tears of joy long enough to ask a passerby to take this photo in front of wall outside Ahmanson Theater, showing characters Celie and Nettie from The Color Purple. They too had learned through the course of the musical how to stop settling for less and attract the joy they deserved into their lives. Have you?