Month: July 2020

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S-t-r-e-t-c-h

I immediately resonated with this quote, but then found myself having to step back and really think about it, seeking to understand exactly why I felt it to be true.

It’s not easy to put into words, but I think it has something to do with bringing awareness to the sound or the movement, of being present with your mind or your life. And the more fully aware or present one is, the more mastery one can achieve in music, dance, or meditation…I’m still a little hazy on the celebration aspect (which makes me think maybe I need to be more present with my life).

But as much as it resonated, I didn’t see this as a topic for my blog; sharing it on Facebook seemed enough. But then my friend Sharmila, from India, wrote a comment that took it to a whole other level for me: “Heart when stretched is love.”

In her comment, Sharmila followed the word stretched with the word opened, which, for me at least, led quite naturally to the concept of expanded. And certainly, an ever-more open and expanded sound has been a fundamental part of what I’ve always sought to achieve as a musician.

So…now I’m more clearly seeing stretching as becoming more–by making maximum use of our talents and abilities; by extending and expanding through time and space (way beyond our comfort zones); and by opening ever more fully to all the infinite possibilities of life.

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Where there’s a will…

The lack of regular choir is really starting to weigh on me.

The virtual choir experience has very real benefits and definitely can convey a certain power. And we’ve been able to add back live music in the form of small groups for Sunday service. But the vast majority of our choir members are left out in the proverbial cold. Mainly because there’s nothing we can do right now that really involves the entire group in one activity.

Take the virtual choirs we’ve done. Because of the technology aspect, we’ve never had more than twenty out of more than fifty choir members participate. Same thing with Zoom choir rehearsals. And given that we don’t yet have permission to meet as a choir even outdoors…! Well, the hole that not having choir leaves in the fabric of our community is beginning to feel awfully big, and getting bigger.

So now you can understand why I’ve got “where there’s a will, there’s a way” on my mind. Because there has simply got to be a way to connect and interact and share and be together AS A CHOIR even while being safe and staying healthy! We just have to find it. 🤔

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A divine mother gift

My beautiful new shawl!

Usually when a package arrives in the mail it’s an item Ramesha or I ordered, which we’re eagerly awaiting. But something arrived yesterday — addressed to me — which wasn’t from any of the usual sources. The return address was that of a friend, but I still had no idea what it could be.

Well…! In a recent blog post I had mentioned the shawl from my Ananda Assisi days, which I had inadvertently ruined it in the wash, and how sad I had been about it.

So…! Peggy read that blog post and the shawl in the photo reminded her of one she owned. The colors weren’t entirely right for her but she thought I might enjoy it.

How sweet is that?!?

The colors are beautiful, indeed, but way more important is the sense of being loved and supported by divine mother, expressing through Peggy’s sweet and thoughtful friendship.

Thank you, Peggy! 💗

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More music, please

I have no idea who wrote this, but I completely concur. Except I would also add: SING more music!

Of course, singing is — in and of itself — an unprecedented challenge in this Age of Covid. But we’re working on it…and we will find a way.

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Slogging along

It’s been like wading through molasses but I’m finally getting my email backlog caught up.

However, it’s taken me late into the night, leaving no time to share anything else.

Oh well.

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Well-informed vs sane

A Facebook friend asked the following question in a post on his timeline:
How are YOU maintaining a positive perspective?

This is how I responded:
Not easy, but these help: limiting my intake of news; listening to uplifting music; singing; walking; meditating.

Not even an hour later I happened across this cartoon, which absolutely nails it! This is exactly the challenge that I feel so many of us are facing.

But I’m realizing that I can’t simply ignore the news altogether. True, I need to stop reading it with the goal of “making sense” of things; I mean, that way lies madness!

So, yes, I have to do my best to sort through the false, sensationalist, crazy-making narratives. And then I have to choose carefully which articles to read, being prepared to stop as soon as I feel my energy plunge or if I start to get upset or depressed or sunk in negativity. Because I can’t be part of the solution if I’m upset, depressed, and negative!

But you know, I think the main reason why I still need to read some news is a matter of solidarity. I don’t want to cut myself off from what’s going on. Sure, I have to honor the limits of my tolerance for violence and despair, but I need to tune in enough to feel connected with the rest of humanity as we move through these unprecedented times…together.

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Vitamin M

I didn’t feel all that great through most of today. Tired, plus a setback with some pain in my shoulder. What helped? Listening to more Rodgers and Hammerstein!

In addition to buying the soundtrack of Cinderella (and singing along with Julie!), I revisited gorgeous melodies from Oklahoma, The King and I, and State Fair. And they made me feel better. Seriously better! I feel like we should assign a nutritional value to beautiful melodies, for they truly do provide nourishment.

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Well, this was fun!

I grew up on musicals, many of which were by Rodgers and Hammerstein. I sang along to the soundtrack recordings of The King and I, South Pacific, and Oklahoma. I didn’t know Flower Drum Song, Carousel, or State Fair quite as well (meaning I didn’t have every single melody, lyric, and inflection memorized!😂), but between piano sheet music, concert band arrangements, orchestra pops concerts, and catching the occasional television broadcast, I was pretty familiar with those as well.

But I missed out on Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella completely! True, I had the vaguest of memories of seeing something on television — once — when I was a little girl, but it wasn’t until many years later that I found it once again on the internet (that was the 1965 version starring Lesley Ann Warren).

What a revelation! I realized that hints of the songs had lingered in my awareness, even after only one viewing, and it was so wonderful to finally know what they were and where they came from.

Well…imagine my surprise when, just this past year, I stumbled across a DVD of Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella…with Julie Andrews in the starring role! I just watched it for the second time tonight and now I’m looking forward to the treat of getting to know all these songs really well.

Having the voice and gracious beauty of Julie Andrews combined with the sublime melodies, witty lyrics, and emotional depth of Rodgers and Hammerstein definitely takes me to a very, very happy place deep inside.

Oh, and let’s not forget the humor; love this!🤣

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Reach Out and Share the Light

The photo and text below are from Ananda Portland’s weekly newsletter. I felt moved to share it because this so perfectly aligns with what I’ve been working on lately, which is trying to extricate myself from too much focusing on all the world’s problems in order to free up my energy to contribute more fully to the solutions!
(And how fun: I just discovered how to change the color of the font in these blog posts!)

When we help others, we both soar in the light. 
Many people are feeling isolated and anxious about these times.
Reach out and share the light!

Call someone and have an uplifting chat.
Use a free Zoom account that has unlimited minutes
and have a Zoom tea.
Look up fun and friendly E-cards and send them just because.
Use old fashioned letters and stamps to communicate friendship!
Invite someone to take a walk, with masks and distancing. 
Sit out on the patio and listen to music together. 
Energize, meditate, do affirmations and prayers with
a friend over Zoom or FaceTime.
Share one inspiring passage from our teachings
with someone every day.
Do one act of service, anonymously, every day. 
Pick a “secret pal” every week and see how you can
share the light all week.
Help someone in their garden, wearing masks and distancing,
then invite them to help in your garden.
Write a message on your friend’s doorstep using chalk.

I have a few more to add to the list:
Sing together (outdoors, spaced 6-8 feet apart, of course!).
Read PG Wodehouse or Jerome K Jerome stories out loud.
Watch uplifting and/or funny movies.

What about you??? 😊

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Sing gently as one

We’re gearing up for Ananda’s next Global Virtual Choir project and this video is fueling my inspiration!

To be honest, Eric Whitacre’s earliest virtual choir videos (the first was ten years ago!) didn’t do much for me. But now — with so much divisiveness and uncertainty in the world — and as we seek to negotiate this strange new reality without the option of even gathering together, much less singing together! — well, let’s just say that I find myself both receptive and deeply appreciative.

And, indeed, “Sing Gently” really speaks to me. I am especially moved by the visual imagery of the separate “pieces” connecting — first by two’s, then four’s, and then more and more…until they gradually become one united whole. So profoundly satisfying and uplifting.

Here are the lyrics…
May we sing together, always.
May our voice be soft.
May our singing be music for others
and may it keep others aloft.

Sing gently, always.
Sing gently as one.

May we stand together, always.
May our voice be strong.
May we hear the singing and
May we always sing along.

Sing gently, always.
Sing gently as one.

– Eric Whitacre