As I walked into the Fine Arts building, I was struck at the number of people that wanted to say "hi" to me and hug me.
No matter where I go, I am blessed to find love and acceptance. It will never cease to amaze and humble me.
There have been myriad tiers in my life, like the rings of a wise tree named Terrance. :-) In each of these tiers, I have discovered acceptance, love, awareness and when the time came to leave and venture to another tier, I was a changed and better man. I am weird about these tiers sometimes. I miss them, I wonder if I will be back there again. Recently, I have discovered to take them for what they were: experiences in this grand web called connection. And just when you think a former connection is lost, POOF, there he/she is again.
To all my decade plus tiers: Disney, Orlando, Dallas, NYC, community theatre, AMDA, Choirs, Pier 1, professional musical theatre, I thank you for changing me. You helped make me see the me I can be. Wherever I go, I sing, you walk with me.
I was ridiculed relentlessly as a child and adolescent for being different and I STRONGLY feel that one of my callings is to issue this bold invitation to others:
BE YOURSELF, however odd, different, silly, or childlike that may be. During the talk backs of my children's show, I said the following words: I used to be chastised for being odd and wanted to be ANYONE else other than me, but now I am being PAID to be that oddity, to be that comical whirlwind of ME. Learn to be yourself, love yourself. It is that simple and that PRECIOUS!
It is freeing to write that I have NEVER loved a time in my life more than I do right now, this moment. Life is good, sometimes hard, but I am learning and loving and trying anew.
I will conclude this passage with a quote that is SO TRUE and something that we all can and should (rarely use that word) think when we encounter new tiers, new connections and enter into those unions with no expectations. Sometimes our fear can smother the very lesson we are so fervently seeking.
The final line, "It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant." All I can say is TEARS for my TIERS.
To all my tiers, whether you were a reason, a season, or a lifetime, you are forever a part of me. :-)
Much love, acceptance, joy, and revelry on this beginning of my week,
Dustin Ashley Beam
A Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime
People come into your life for a reason, a season, or
a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you
will know what to do for each person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON . . . It is
usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have
come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you
with guidance and support, to aid you physically,
emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a
godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason
you need them to be.
Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an
inconvenient time, this person will say or do something
to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realise is that our need has been met, our
desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you
sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.
When people come into your life for a SEASON . . .
Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount
of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things
you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional
foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the
person, and put what you have learned to use in all
other relationships and areas of your life. It is said
that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Author Unknown
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