Notes from Steve

I have this small table of "Karens" (*) in my head, judging everything, always constantly calling for the manager.  This is probably more information about me than you wanted to know, but I'm working on it.  My goal is to change my inner voices to "nice and kind".  

My mentors - Quint and Liz - have said before (I'm paraphrasing**) that the whole onstage/offstage behavior should be onstage all the time because it allows for us (in offstage areas) to be less than nice.  I tell the story of Dr. Palit in Colorado on the Ride the Rockies bike ride*** in Buena Vista, Colorado, saying "hi" to everyone on the street. I said, "What are you doing?  We're not in the hospital; you don't have to do 5/10," and he said, "I can't help it - it's just part of who I am".  He was right, and I was wrong.  We need to demonstrate this onstage behavior all the time.   

When I think of who I want to take over the table in my head - a couple of people come to mind.  Mrs. Wilson - the woman who lived across the street from my folks when I was 3-6 years old.  I'd go over and pound on the piano and tell her I was playing soap opera music, and she was patient and kind … I loved her.  And Selma Lee, who used to live in the Meadows - she was (for me) the epitome of polite speak.  She had so much grace and gratitude for everything.  I really enjoyed talking to her.  

There were a lot of others who walked the talk constantly - they were kind and didn't have a bad word for anything or anyone.  This is what we need in the world today.  

*Sorry to people named Karen.
**or making it up - I think they said it.
It was a really hard ride.  Don't do it unless you are prepared.  I almost died.