La mise-en-scène: doesn't this scene look staged? Walking through the villages of France sometimes makes you feel as if you've stepped back in time, to post war Europe… until you see the modern cars at the end of the lane. Photo taken two weeks ago, in the town of Camaret.
I am excited to announce our first debate here at French Word-A-Day… and that's about as French as this edition will get! Read on, in today's story.
la mise-en-scène (meez-on-sen) noun, feminine
: the "putting on stage", stage setting
Six years ago, almost to the day, I learned a life-changing concept: one that returns to me this morning, as a flood of emotions float upward to the underbelly of my skin, electrifying the surface. When God created sensitivity, he gave an extra dose of it to me! Strike a line through that last sentence or, rather, that last word–for I am not alone: artists, writers, musicians, plumbers, preachers–and even highfalutin Frenchmen, can feel the same way and, I suspect, do.
I dread this space that I am in, but recognize it as the engine behind the words that sometimes flow out of the fingertips, onto a blank screen: oh, the ills of Inspiration! Hold on a minute… isn't that the ego talking? He who likes to convince us that it is the Self's HARD WORK–and pain!–that bring forth art. What a crock!
As thoughts continue to dart back-n-forth, I raise my arm to catch one of them, watching in amazement as it almost drives a hole (the sheer force of faith, landing) through my tattered catcher's glove. I look into my glove, beyond the steam, and read the message:
"One can change her mind. P.S.: Lighten up a bit!"
I am reminded to pull that chain in my brain and so flush out a rush of ravaging thoughts, such as this one that just crept in: "Easier said than done." The minute I pull that chain, reflux happens; determined, I pull the chain again (sort of off topic, but if you say that last bit–pull the chain again–with an English accent, it kind of rhymes… at least in *my* mind. Whatever.) And there, dear reader, goes the mind: Hither and thither, but whither? Whither???
Back to the "life-changing concept", which the subject in today's photo reminds me of: "la mise-en-scène". I thought this might make a good topic for debate. One thing I struggle with is remembering my "part" in this film that is Life. So here's a question for you:
If life is a stage, are you the director or the actor? Which part makes you feel more at peace? Tell us your answer in the comments box.
Story Archives
Care to read another essay? I posted this one "The Car Accident: or How to Meet Your French Neighbor" over at Twitter and Facebook, yesterday.
In the town of Camaret there are not cabarets, but the shutters close their eyes and blush anyway.
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Yours, mine and the thoughts of my loved ones are the only ones I read and relish. Thank you for a wonderful blog. Yes,I am, and have to be, the director of my future. However, looking back, I seem to have been a mere actor!
With every ‘act’ in the performance of my life that I yield to Him, G-d grants me some direction.
My allowance of authority and the maturity to have wisdom for how to ‘direct’ runs in exact conjunction with how well I am able to *receive* direction (as an actor?) both from G-d, and from those whom He has put in authority over me.
Great question, Kristin. Your writing is so beautifully poetic. And it’s fun to see all us ‘churchies’ out today– never realized there were that many. And I gotta get the Esther study; LOVE Esther! Thought I’d done all the Beth Moores!
Oh, wow, Kristin. I think you and I have been sharing the same line of thought. I married my husband, and thought I was directing my life by picking the person I chose to spend my life with. He met all of my tiny little desires and still makes me wonderfully happy today. We thought we were directing our lives by deciding when we were ready to have children, and we planned a fantastic life for them – French immersion school, tennis lessons, everything they could want that we could finally provide thanks to our choices in higher education. When my first son’s Asperger Syndrome/autism was discovered, I realized that I am really an actor. I have been cast to work in settings that I never imagined I would enter (therapists’ and specialists’ offices) and in positions I never imagined (apologizing for something he said in an outburst, trying to stand bravely when people who didn’t know him or his diagnosis blamed his words or actions on my assumed poor parenting).
I have talked to Jesus Christ about my acting roles in my child’s exciting settings plenty of times. (Are you sure I have the talent to take on this role? I think I need more coaching! I’m feeling intimidated by the A-list mommy actors that seem to be everywhere in sight today!) After many such conversations with JC, one thing that I know is that I am surviving and thriving in my unexpected settings because I make an active, daily choice to allow Him to direct all of my scenes. Whenever I try directing, the scenes come out all wrong and I end up depressed. When I keep my focus on following His direction, though, I manage to find the humor in my situations and to appreciate the true gifts my life brings me and my family. Many people have even told me I’m uplifting to them, so I’m trying to limit my guest directing days as much as possible.
Thanks for sharing your life on the French stage with me!
Anita
The true artist wears many hats. I like to think of myself more in the vein of writer/director/benefactor/producer.I think of my children as the actors.
I have spent too much time in the audience, watching, supporting and not doing. People who know me would not agree with my words and I can hear them in my mind as I write. I guess it’s a result of becoming aware of the passage of the seasons of my life. So now I make much more of my time and I enjoy the acting role and looking for more parts to play, always hoping for better results, even applause, from me of course, watching enthusiastically from my favourite seat.
Ian
Back home very late after an extended w/end, so here are the few lines I promised to send you.
I know it’s an old cliché but yes, the world may be considered as a theatre – a theatre of love (Kashmiri proverb), often a theatre displaying hatred, anarchy, misery, a theatre of the absurd, but also a theatre of hope, of dreams, of virtues. It is a vast stage where ‘actors’ are thrown in with or without a script, with or without much preparation. They evolve as they can, with or without outside direction. There are unique moments, obscure scenes, big turning points, funny intervals, misunderstandings, breathtaking performances… Some scenes are tragically repeating themselves, although continuously changing. Organised chaos?
Anyway, apart from the roles of ‘actor’ and ‘director’, there are many other roles to suit everyone’s talent, experience, appreciation, inclination… We can also be mere spectators, critics, outsiders. Some of us prefer building their own ‘masterpiece’ according to their personal inspiration, beliefs and talents, taking greater pride and joy within their own little world, ‘away from the madding crowd’. Feeling comfortable and in full control? Not easy when we find ourselves in a position we didn’t plan, an accident or illness threatening our life, our beloved ones’. We never seem to be fully prepared!
Whatever the “mise-en-scene” around me, I never thought of living my life as an ‘actor’ or a ‘director’, a follower or a guru. It’s essential for each of us to find our own place in life (as a friend, a good neighbour, a parent …), and to do our very best for ourselves, others and the environment. As we go along, head towards the sky, eyes towards the horizon, heart towards the others, and feet stuck to the ground, there is no need to ‘act’. To be able to face every day’s problems within the right perspectives, it is vital to take the time to stop, breathe & relax. To me, life feels more worthwhile -and comfortable- that way, and so, more enjoyable.
In periods of unplanned turmoil, expected (or unexpected) nightmares… whatever the level of disturbance, pain or sorrow, I found that my value of life suddenly increases. My sense of survival seems to intensify my inner strength. Love and care from a few people around me (neither ‘actors’, nor ‘directors’) are such an unforgettable experience!
We are given a whole lifetime to listen, understand, learn, experiment and pass on our knowledge, to care and help, to give & be generous, to create love and beauty in our own way, … and enjoy it all.
If life is a stage, are you the director or the actor? Which part makes you feel more at peace? This is a response to my fav. Blog host Kristin @ French Word- A- Day. The word was la mise-en-scene = the putting on the stage, stage setting.
Je pense, j’y suis les deux. My life has many times been like a movie. I just hope I am soon to have more french subtitles. I think we have free will, therefore I can be,or at least feel as if I am the director. Although if you believe in energetics, control is an illusion. Heck, for that matter life is an illusion. But as long as I’m alive and in this body I’ll live it with my cup full to over flowing. I like to be in the present and in a state of flow, so I think I’m more at peace with being the actor. After all aren’t we all players on the stage of life. I think Willy Shakespeare coined that phrase. However, every so often I feel in a take charge mode to make something key happen, and illusion or not I bring ‘it,’ whatever ‘it’ is into being or manifest what I truly need. Both actors and directors are powerful channels for energy and transformation. They just approach it a bit differently. Vous pouvez voir ma page dáccueil.
Neither a director or an actor, but an enthusiastic “understudy”. Even after all these years I look at my life sometimes and wonder when I will start “living” it. I still have dreams to fulfill and although I sometimes “drop” the script or forget the “lines”, I’m ever hopeful that I’ll have my chance to shine!
If life is a stage, am i the director or the actor? Which part makes me feel at peace? Well, to this i would say, this is how i flow through each day: I start each day with meditation( preferably 30 minutes.) At the end of my meditation i always ask “Who do i serve today, Lord?” (service is to me the meaning of life) I do not anticipate, i just go on with prayers for family, friends, and safety for one and all as we go about our day. I must say there hasn’t ever been a day in which i haven’t been totally clear to whom i am in service. So am i the director or the actor? Well, i choose to see God as the director, and i am the dutiful servant acting out his will. Some days are so trippy, and the flow i receive from on high is so well lighted ,that i am ever amazed! God is great! i am always humbled to find what surprises each day has in store for this little actor. Which part makes me feel at peace? Because meditation brings me closer to God, when i don’t find time for meditation and prayer, i find my day is less peaceful. So i must say i receive my peace from God, not by being the director, nor by being the actor, simply by being.
I think there is a director and we are the actors but we are able to improv our scenes (which sometimes gets us in trouble). We have to go on auditions – go after the parts we want to play and sometimes the director has a role particularly for us and seeks us out. It may be the lead or a supporting role or even just a bit part- it is up to bring our passion. There are times we are waiting for a call back that never comes. Our brush with stardom may only be for a season or perhaps we will be more of a character actor, as long as we stay true to our craft (our heart) we’ll find our way.
Kristen, as much as I love learning about France, you bring so much more to us and I thank you.
Amicalement,
Melanie
Neither – I am a process that is intertwined with the processes of others, the planet, the universe and God. I have some agency over my own intentions and actions (the part that one might call a director), but very little over the outcomes (this part is more like being an actor).
The more that I can see and accept the process view, the more free I am to enjoy life as it comes at me, AND to shape the life that I experience through my own intentions and actions!
Yes, very beautiful..