Gratitude - Day 151

I’m grateful for simplicity.

“Simplicity”, however, is not the first word to come to mind in an attempt to describe my schedule these days, so if I happen to see a sign of it lurking around me, I welcome the reminder with open arms as an invitation to take a deep breath, relax, and settle a bit. My hours here in London are jam-packed leading up to the big opening(s) next (NEXT!) weekend, and so each opportunity to catch my breath is not to be missed; I need it to stay rested, clear my head, keep my concentration, and most of all to remind myself that the process is the jewel which carries the great reward!

So far, all is going well – the opera is nearly staged, meaning for the most part we all know “where to go and when”; now we need let it begin to grow into something organic, which means repeating, refining and, yes, remembering what comes next. I had a fabulous dinner tonight with the EMI/Virgin team to finalize plans for THE RELEASE of “Furore”, and seeing their enthusiasm for this disc only served to make me more nervous and excited for THE LAUNCH!!! Interviews are happening (including the lively, quick 30 minute one conducted with the delightful Dominic McHugh for MusicalCriticism.com over my lunch hour), costumes are being fitted, wigs styled, and my excitement builds with each day.

However, this simple statue of the “Bronze Ballerina” sitting to adjust the ribbon of her pointe shoe, stopped me in my tracks today, and I welcomed the 10 minutes I spent photographing her. It is a beautiful and perfect example of simplicity and gave me a beautiful, simple and welcome boost!