How Michelangelo Perfected David

Legend tells us that when the 29 year old Michelangelo was asked how he sculpted his exquisite David, he replied, “I removed everything that wasn’t David.” For that, Michelangelo had to see the perfection of David within the marble. Did you know that...

The Wire Walker

The Wire Walker doesn’t just jump on the wire and go. The Wire Walker centers himself for what comes next. And next. And after that. The wire walker takes the time to find his footing, to find his balance, to get to his breath, his most intense focus. He taps...

When you reach your end, do what Matisse did – Reinvent

“One January morning in 1941, only a fortnight after his seventy-first birthday, the bearded and bespectacled French artist Henri Matisse was lying in a hospital bed, preparing to die.” * Diagnosed with cancer, the acclaimed painter seemed to be facing his...

Getting Naked: A Business Fable, a book recommendation

Getting Naked: A business fable…about shedding the three fears that sabotage client loyalty. By Patrick Lencioni Getting Naked’s Introduction opens up by saying: “Vulnerability.  It is one of the most undervalued and misunderstood of all human...

Focus is a fresh start

Even though Viola Spolin’s improvisational techniques changed the very nature and practice of theatre, her work is so highly relevant to those outside the theatre – in life and in business. In the words of Viola Spolin:  “The intuitive way of knowing...

Our Voice and its Changes in Tone

These are notes I took from a teacher of mine, Peter, many, many years ago.  I came across them and found so many great thoughts I will share with you. Chopin It’s rumored that whenever Chopin played, he never played forte. But between piano and mezzo he found...

Don't Leave Anything Out – Robin Williams Didn't

What I learned as a student in acting school is to never leave anything out.  The most important skill to have is partnering and that means to be in complete connection with your partner on stage. It is to also be in contact with what is going on in the immediate...

The Provenance of Things – and of People

Recently, I read an article in The New York Times about Aboubakar Fofana, from France & Mali (West Africa), who  revives the ancient dyeing technique using the indigo plant to produce modern textiles.  The green indigo plant dyes a deep, rich blue.  The...

Why Trust Is Worth It

Ze Frank talks about the importance of trust in this mesmerizing video featuring Cirque du Soleil acrobat performers Alya Titarenko and Gael Ouisse.Here is the transcript from the video, so beautifully wrought:Why Trust is Worth It”Alya and Gael have to trust...

If you have to think in martial arts, you're dead.

“If you have to think in martial arts, you’re dead. The 20-30 years of training you’ve had means you’ve internalized all the possible patterns and can direct all your attention to what is happening right now.” This photograph depicts a martial art from India called...