Learn from the Woods

When learning new things it is important to remember the lessons you have learned before--and it's important to use them. This is why I include these words from my favorite Musical Theater production: INTO THE WOODS, by Stephen Soundheim. They are quite applicable on the adventures we take. (I had to splice a few verses together... it's not my fault that the song reprises three times.---HAHAHA! Not "my fault..." BWA HAHAHAHA... wait, the witch always takes the blame. Okay then, it IS my fault. Give me the blame.

I think I need to review the whole musical. It's full of life's lessons--it's all about the journeys we take and the choices we make. It's about how we treat people and how we deal with individual and group situations. It's about giants, wolves, princes, fair young maidens, and of course--the witch. I was in it in high school--I played THE WITCH. I got to cackle, wear false fingers, chase people around with a stick, scream at the top of my lungs, and boss around the other characters. It was great. The story has everything, the music is fabulous, and the whole thing is so darn funny! If you've never seen it, check out the original broadway cast recording (video/dvd). You'll be ever so pleased that you did!

Anyway. Words:

"At home I fear we’d stay the same forever
So to get your wish you go

Into the woods:
Where nothing’s clear,
Where witches, ghosts, and wolves appear.
Into the woods and through the fear!
You have to take the journey.
Into the woods and down the dell.
In vain perhaps, but who can tell?
Into the woods and
Not Forgetting why you’re on the journey.
Into the woods to get the thing
That makes it worth the journeying.

Into the woods you go again—
You have to every now and then.
Into the woods…no telling when!
Be ready for the journey.

Into the woods, without delay!
Be careful not to lose the way.
Into the woods
The path is straight—
No reason then, to hesitate.
Into the woods!
Who knows what may be lurking on the journey?

Into the woods, but mind the past.
Into the woods, but mind the future.

The chances look small,
The choices look grim,
But everything you learn there
Will help when you return there.

Into the woods!
You have to grope,
But that’s the way you learn to cope.
Into the woods to find
There’s hope of getting through the journey!

Into the woods!
Each time you go
There’s more to learn of what you know.
Into the woods, but not too slow.
Into the woods…
It’s nearing midnight.

Into the woods!
Into the woods.
Into the Woods—and out of the Woods…
To take another journey."