Just Breathe

Peachtree City, Georgia.  Lush trees, crisp amazing air, space to run.

I'm here for work.  But I can't help but feel I'm here for something more.  In honor of it being Good Friday and Easter approaching, I find myself re-reading Mark this time of year.  This verse spoke to me in a new way:

"Everything he does is wonderful.  He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak." Mark 7:37b NLT

Who can suddenly hear and see?  Me.

My hotel is attached to a public fitness facility.  I love to workout hard.  But noticing they were offering free yoga classes, decided to check it out.  SO!  I hauled myself out of my big plush hotel bed and down to the weight room.  One wall mirrors, one wall floor-to-ceiling windows facing the most beautiful forest!

There were 2 senior ladies there waiting for the rest of their usual morning group.  Oh, boy.  I'd stumbled onto my mom's water aerobics class.  At first, I was a little antsy.  I wanted to sweat!  But soon, I found myself wrapped in the sweet tones of the substitute teacher (ya know, one misses and her friend will step in) reading her notes as she went.  Okay, I thought, I could use this as a meditative/relaxation/breathing yoga.  Something would come of it.

I breathed.  Had I breathed that deeply in months?
I stretched.  Oof, didn't know that was so tight!
I listened.  I listened.  I listened.

You can miss so much when your heart is closed.  You can miss inspiration when your purpose it too set.  These ladies opened their space and their vulnerabilities up to me.  I was gifted in a way they probably couldn't know.  That generous spirit changed my trajectory.

I've been trying to write this book.  Trying to get my creative heart into something tangible.  I might have found my way.  Just breathe.

Being of Impact

So often we feel less than or insignificant.  Do you know that every choice and small act of kindness or generosity has a powerful, God-filled purpose?  Instead of looking at yourself with "human" eyes, look at yourself through God's eyes.  He created you.  He stood in your place.  He loved you before you were made.  He has purpose for every small and seemingly insignificant thing you do.
1 John 3:1 "See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!"

Compassion in Every Circumstance

It's been awhile since I've posted anything.  But I haven't had a whole lot to say in the midst of some big life changes.  But life has settled and my heart is becoming more aware of the beautiful journey.  I'll be writing more often.  Random thoughts, musings, personal discoveries.  I'd love to hear what you have to say as well!

My thought this week:

I have a Nebraska football license plate frame on my car.  Nebraska football hasn't been so great in the past few years.  However, in the last couple of weeks, they've had an upswing!  Since this turn of events, I find people shouting out to me "Go Big Red!" regularly.  Although, I light up and yell it back every single time, I still find it hilarious that this only happens on the upswing.  We are happy to share in our mutual team's success.  People are happy to have something great in common.

What my heart has been musing on is that people are worth celebrating at all times.  We are all blessed with hearts yearning for happiness, for the "win", for connection.  Can we take the time to see the things worth celebrating in others in our every day walk?  Really look at that person who checks you out at Rite Aid, genuinely ask your friend what is going on with them before you launch into your own stories.  Seek to love.

Luke 6:38
Give, and you will receive.  Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap.  The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.

NAACP Awards

http://topics.pe.com/article/07jadh01Vp9W5?q=Los+Angeles

Nomination for Spamalot...

I spoke too soon...

Last I wrote, I had visited my RENT family on the road and was so moved by it. Last week, while shooting in Dallas, I found myself remembering "the good 'ol days" with another former RENTer. Imagine my surprise to (very unexpectedly) find myself back in the show now. Yes, I am currently reprising Joanne in the Rapp/Pascall tour of RENT. Orlando this week. Miami next week.

In the new year, look for me on the small screen in "24" and "The Deep End".

More to come!

Love,

M

VENICE MAGAZINE ARTICLE, SPAM and RENT

http://www.andrew-fish.com/Merle-Dandridge-Venice.pdf

Here's a link to a lovely piece in this month's Venice Magazine

If you haven't heard, my time with SPAMALOT has come to a close in lovely Costa Mesa this past Sunday. Two days later, I had the great privilege of watching my RENT family (most from the New York company) grace the same stage as Spamalot confetti continued to fall during the show. :) This touring company of RENT is amazing. There are small changes in the show, but the heart of the piece is stronger than ever. You MUST see this tour if you haven't already. I cried from the beginning to the end. Sure, part of that was sentimental given that I hadn't seen these people I love so much in so long. But I think it was more that the show was hitting me with fresh eyes. What a gift.

I'm staying in L.A., so stay tuned for upcoming television appearances. I'm already having a great time out here.

Love,

Merle

Live in San Fran and L.A.

Hey Gang!

Thanks for those who came out to our Spamalot/Wicked BC/EFA benefit in San Fran.  The song I sang, drew the composer to come out to San Francisco and put on a show of his original works.  Come out and support!

Friday July 3rd at the Rrazz Room in Hotel Nikko, San Francisco.  The songs of Scott Allen.  You will not be disappointed!

And on the following Tuesday, July 6th, we begin our 9 week run at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles . I cannot wait!  See you soon!

Love,

Merle