The Stage Is Yours
Nadine Chammas
Authority Publishing (2024)
ISBN: 978-1965480007
Reviewed by Dawn Colclasure for Reader Views (11/2024)
They say that all the world’s a stage, and for Nadine Chammas, who went through a long bout with grief as well as self-doubt, this saying helped her to heal from her pain and find a way back to herself. With each chapter beginning in the format of a scene of a play highlighting one period of the author’s life, “The Stage Is Yours: Make Your Life the Greatest Show on Earth!” by Nadine Chammas is the sort of book that allows the reader to explore harrowing moments that ultimately led to strength and painful chapters that helped along a bit of healing and empowerment.
I love how each chapter starts with two acts of a play. It is obvious that the author is passionate about theater and allows her passion to show in her writing of play scenes. But this passion does not just exist in the way the book is written; there are many times in the book where Chammas will use lessons learned in her theater work or the tools that are used in performing a play to get her message across. Sometimes, it is even used by way of illustrating points she is trying to make.
But looking further into these two scenes, we the readers can understand that they are meant to represent episodes from the author’s past. When she was in pain and when she was confused about what kind of person to be and what to do with her life. We can see in one scene, for example, how her grief over losing her parents burdened her with unbearable sadness, yet when reminded of music, she sets free the singer within her to sing. Then her heart speaks to her, reminding her that, no matter what, she should honor and free this singer within her, which her grief kept silent for so long. Even when she says that no one will listen, the voice that is meant to represent her heart and soul gives a gentle nudge to release her singer anyway and to use her gift and her passion to sing no matter what happens:
Sing for us, my dear.
Sing for the sake of the ages of pain you’ve been through.
Sing for every scar embedded in your soul.
Sing for your mother, your father, and yourself.
Sing for the child in you that’s been yearning for this, year after year.
Sing for the bright future ahead of you.
For the joyful moments of perfect presence
Sing for us—us who engulf and hold and caress you.
Sing for yourself.” (Page 40)
I love how the author encourages the reader to understand that they can set their own stage in life. Yes, there are stages we have no control over – such as our workplace, educational setting or a restaurant – but there are indeed stages we do have control over – such as our car, a desk we work at, our bedroom – which we can use to enhance our lives. These personal stages can also enable us to move forward in life, create something new and just be ourselves. As the author writes on page 92,
Contemplate your various sets, your office, your home, your car…. All the unnecessary items, incoherent props, and irrelevant objects must be put away, clearing up the space for all the new stuff needed for the next show.
“The Stage Is Yours” is not just a memoir, but an inspirational source of guidance and support on getting through the hard times in life. We all go through some really trying and tough times, even experiences that can drive us over the edge or crush us beneath its feet. This book gives a gentle hand to those struggling and offers steps to help get out of that funk and find a way to heal.
Ultimately, this book reminds readers to never lose sight of who they are and to remain true to themselves. The author writes on pages 245-6 these words of wisdom that we should all carry with us as we try to get through the tough times in life:
Embrace the uniqueness within you, illuminating the realms of possibility and crafting a destiny unlike any other.