The energy of your environment and the influence on your wellbeing

In the footsteps of my mother, I followed an actor training about ten years ago. People who know me will probably get a smile on their face now and think that I didn't need it. Perhaps also because my "root talent" of my talent tree is the Jester. And for sure I received that humor from my mother. But still, as an honor to my mother who was an actress in the Dutch “Haarlem City Theater”, among other things, I obtained my certificate of being an actor.

One of the things I learned in that field was anticipating the energy of the theater hall and the audience. Another thing I learned was how you can share your energy through attitude and body language with only the stage (staying within yourself), with the first row or rows, with the auditorium, or with the entire theater including the balconies. It was an interesting experience and... a feast of recognition. I am an emotional person and pick up energy around me, say the atmosphere, quickly. And I know what an impact that has on me. It even made me sick in 2010.

The basic energy of the audience that comes to a show is completely different on the Friday evening, the Saturday evening, during the matinee on Sunday and on Sunday evening. And although you yourself have the assignment to perform in the same way, you notice that it differs. One of the major factors of influence is the energy of the audience.

In my former job as a director I had to perform on stage often and addressed groups of people of all levels. Naturally feeling free, a gift that I got from my father. I always enjoyed speaking in public about matters I knew about or was responsible for.

People who regularly read my blogs know that I am active here in Chiang Mai on Sundays in the cathedral. Almost every week I am there "on stage". One time I read the scriptures, the other time I am a cantor and I sing psalms.

And last Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, I was again confronted with that energy feeling of my theater education. That Sunday I was in the schedule for singing the psalm. Nice to do.

And when I stood in front of the microphone, I felt the community of around 300 visitors, in one word "flat." Totally different than 'normal'. Perhaps, as a comparison, a bit like the picture on the right, although the energy there could be very good. It felt like there was nobody there at all. A feeling that did not encourage or invite you to sing. Not singing of course was no option. So, I did it. And you know, that is really very hard working, not feeling any energetic response. As if you throw your energy in a deep well and it is gone.

When I asked a few people afterwards, they said, indeed, it was very different than usual. They were amazed I noticed it so strong.

A female colleague told me that she felt it very strongly as well, or actually felt nothing, and thought it might be because of the Christmas meeting and the buffet that we had with four hundred people the night before. Who knows?

Your environment has a huge influence on your well-being and behavior. For example, if there is enthusiasm or pleasure, it gives you energy. It is an encouragement and things flow simply out of yourself when you want to share things. In the situation that I described above or in an environment that does not allows or grant you to succeed, it’s hard working. An exhausting activity.

Be alert. Feel and try to avoid that energy drainage wherever possible. Better for your health.

Gangey Gruma (Frans Captijn)
email: captijninsight@gmail.com 

Foto blog: http://franscaptijnhisworld.blogspot.com

Captijn Insight. Catalyst in developing tranquility & in-sight to get in a sustainable way real connection, purpose, pleasure and flow in life, love, family, business, career and work again.