drama.

A girl torn between 2 handsome men, who does she love?
A tangled web of secrets, whose past will soon catch up with them?
In a game or love and war, who will be the first to fall?

The drama of the television captures me, captures us. The love triangles, secrets and seduction enthrall us. For some reason the drama is enticing.

Loving drama on the screen is one thing but sometimes I find myself wishing for real life drama. Wishing that something would happen, that someone would break up or that a bitchy comment would be overheard, just so that things would get interesting... but why? I know that I am not alone, you can tell by the way people flock to drama the way everyone wants to hear about the latest gossip, of who's dating who or who just broke up, people crave drama but again I ask why?

Is it because it makes life more interesting or is it because we like to watch others fall? But then not all drama is associated with the bad, drama can be good like who just got engaged and is keeping it a secret. Is it that we like secrets? That it makes us feel better if we know something that no one else does? That we have something that is shared by only a few? Or is it that we are addicted to the drama that we see on tv? Do we think that our life is not fulfilling if it is not drama filled? If there is not something new happening all the time?

We know that our lives are imperfect so is clinging to the drama a way of perfecting the imperfection, of creating meaning and passion in all of it. We crave passion. Whether it is passionate love, hate, jealousy or joy. So is the pursuit of drama just a pursuit of passion? If it is a pursuit of passion then maybe we are looking in the wrong place.

The passion seen in the dramas on tv or in the make-ups and break-ups at school or work is usually not slow burning. The love triangle in your favourite soap soon dissolves and the excitement over a new relationship soon burns out. And again you are left with the same boredom, the same lack of passion. So we must pursue the passion again, get that next installment of the tv series or follow up on the latest rumour. But the search is never ending and each time the passion dies.

I think the reason we are attracted to tv and little real life dramas is because it gives us a taste of passion. But that is all it can give, a taste. I think that it arouses something deep within us, something that most people don't know how to pursue. A longing to feel a deep connection to something or someone. To find the things that make life worth living, that transform life from a avoidance or countdown towards death into a journey of life.

Unfortunately the pursuit of this long lasting passion is much harder and sometimes it can get lost amongst the world. Dancing is something that I love, that I have a passion for but sometimes I can lose sight of that. I can get caught up in comparing my skills to others or weighing up my weaknesses as a dancer; wishing that I had started dancing sooner or that I had more formal training, condemning myself. I lose sight of what I love. I forget about the simple expression in the movements, the freedom in the turns and leaps and the feeling of being one with the rhythm and beat of a song..

I find the same thing with my faith. I can lose sight of God's love and the safety and security I feel when I am close to God and surrendered to His love and His way. I forget the passion. I lose it to this world. Sometimes I think it is the fast passion found in the drama of the world that ruins that slow burning passion. The drama which gives us a taste and leads us to unlock the craving for the lasting passion is the very thing that can ruin it. It is a vicious cycle. But I think that it is reflective of the society we live in.

We live in a society that promises instant gratification. See that new shirt that you like? Doesn't matter if you can't afford it, put it on credit and pay it off later. Your favourite band has just released a new album, don't wait until it comes out just download it. This works for a short time but eventually that credit card bill will arrive or the band will stop releasing albums because no one is left to financially support their music. The same with passion, as I said before it will burn out and there will be nothing left, often less than nothing- sometimes a mess is left behind.

What I am trying to say is don't get caught up in the drama of this world. Don't get lured in by the promises or fulfillment or by the temporary feeling of passion. Because it won't last. Follow those things that last. Hold onto those things that you keep coming back to that bring you simple joy, hold tight to your faith that brings meaning to your life. These are the things that lead to fulfillment. These are the things that add up to give you life not a docket of regrets or a debt of sorrow. Life may be hard and sometimes you may have to work to keep your passion alive but if you don't you will be left with nothing but melted candles from a temporary flame. And I don't know about you but that is not what I want, I want my life to be a fire that burns strong and true and leaves nothing left but a mark of the passion it beheld.

http://browse.deviantart.com/?q=fire&order=9&offset=24#/davr4w