Curtain rises. 

Tumultuous applause. 

Ladies, gentlemen, boys, girls! You’ve come to the greatest show on earth, the ultimate entertainment experience. Welcome to The Circus. An enchanting and unforgettable cavalcade of curiosities awaits you in a night of chills and thrills. But did you know? That you, that I, and everyone around, are not only its audience but its very performers? 

We are complex creatures. We surprise even ourselves, more often than not. And we judge—others and ourselves—because it is our nature and a survival mode. But to judge is to err, since we are ever too capricious, complex and (delightfully) contradictory. 

By their very nature, human beings are so capricious, so complex, so delightfully contradictory that they deserve not only our consideration but our unwavering determination to withhold our opinion until we have engaged with them in every possible setting at every possible hour.

—Erin Morgenstern

Confucius was also of this idea. According to his philosophy, the notion of a fixed “self” doesn’t exist. Basically, “I am who I am” until I am different. Morgenstern is right, we are much too quick to define and label and much too smug to reconsider our impressions of others as of ourselves. Given how dynamic and flexible our identity and potential are, it is only fair to withhold judgment. Because, like acrobats and masked performers in a circus, we are—internally—a whirlwind of whimsy. 

Integral to Confucianism is the idea of self-cultivation, of our lives as a life-long phantasmagoria of psychological metamorphosis. Typically though, we tend to believe we fully grasp our identity. We may even get so fixated on our or another’s personality type that it can limit and trap us. But when we realize that we are all a blend of emotions, thoughts, and sensations and that this thing called Life is practically a carnival of chaos, we can be finally liberated. 

Our SELF is in constant flux, constantly adapting to our internal and external environment. Keeping our malleable nature in mind, we can make this flexibility work to our benefit, and shift our focus from who we are today to who we aspire to be. How? Ritual. 

Intention + Repetition = Ritual

Virtuous Intention + Disciplined Repetition = Our Ideal Self

To cultivate our virtues, we must perfect our act in The Circus. But we must be closely aware of the nature of our practiced habits. Like timing for a juggler of fire or balance for a tightrope walker, we must be hyper aware to cultivate the right habits with the right intention, balance and timing. To put on a successful show, it is crucial we understand the context of each trick and act, and recognize when our behaviors mislead us, calling for change. 

To change begins with viewing ourselves as acrobats, shaping ourselves through countless “rehearsals” and perfecting our patterns—until they become second nature. Effective change calls for not only discipline but rituals to refine our acts and enhance our performances.

Rituals allow us to break free from routine. Like a trapeze artist rehearsing new tricks, a new ritual may feel uncomfortable or forced at first. But fake-it-till-we-make-it, and soon enough it becomes embedded in our automatic thinking. Thereby, transforming whatever it may be into a genuine part of our identity. 

[One powerful ritual that has worked for many (so I’ve heard) is writing one (or more) affirmation/s 50 times, 3x per day for 21 days. It is claimed this enables you to completely change your automatic thinking. This is not an easy ritual. I broke it the first time and haven’t resumed 😬.]

Let’s not forget, a master performer initially must confront fright and insecurity before he conquers them and perfects his mastery. Fears can be overcome, aggressive people can become gentle, and contentious relationships can turn joyous. By continually challenging existing patterns and implementing disciplined practice, we can reshape our lives, any which way we choose, as the masterful circus artists that we potentially are. 

Let’s roll up our sleeves and dare to dazzle. Let’s step into the spotlight, perform our best and be witness to our feats. The circus extravaganza awaits us. It requires commitment, hard work and time. But even as far back as 500 BC, Confucius knew the equation well.