…and facing deadlines, so I’m working later than I have in quite a while!
Just hope it doesn’t creep back into becoming a habit! Signing off now, so I’m off the computer at least before the witching hour of midnight!
Under the gun…
Dance like a toddler
Just a fun thought to end my day. 😄
Message from my shoulder
It’s time to go on the record and admit that a part of me still believes anything wrong with my body will fix itself.
I guess it’s the downside of having been an extremely healthy person most of my life. That plus the fact that — as a freelance musician — I hardly ever had insurance, so I got in the habit of doing what I could and then trusting that things would resolve themselves. Which they mostly did.
But the truth is that I’m reaching the point in life where past actions are having some painful present-time consequences. Not to mention that some body parts are simply wearing out.
A concept that never occurred to me even once before age sixty or so.
I’m writing this as part of my process in facing up to the fact that my shoulder — which has gradually been hurting more and more for a few years now — is not going to magically revert to normal. I have to actually deal with it. Bummer.
The power of video
I happened to stumble upon an article in blog post about creativity in advertising (no idea how I got there! 😄). It was about a Nike video and had this to say:
“The astonishing editing work is a great way to deliver the message—about the unifying power of sport, at a time when the specter of Covid still hangs heavily over all professional sports leagues’ best-laid plans; and about the pursuit of an equal playing field by athletes looking to create change.”
Needless to say, I was intrigued and promptly watched the video. Which is, indeed, awesome.
So then I explored further and watched another Nike ad that I found deeply inspiring. This quote is a statement by the video’s narrator, basketball star LaBron James:
“The whole world, we’re fighting for something bigger than a championship right now. People are struggling, and this continues to be an incredibly difficult time. For me, thinking forward to a time when we’ll be able to play again, it keeps me going. Even if basketball looks different for a while, I’m excited about the possibility of getting back in the game because I know how inspiring and powerful sports can be. I think the lessons we learn from sport can inspire us all.”
So, then the article referenced a Nike ad that was described as:
“this stark meditation on racism and the Black Lives Matter movement.”
And I was blown away by the simple power of its message.
My takeaway? It takes impressive amounts of talent and resources to create such incredibly potent combinations of visual imagery, music, and words. I’m just grateful that the powerful messages conveyed are ones of positivity, inclusiveness, and compassion.
Full moon blessings
Nothing to add really; simply wanted to share something beautiful in honor of the full moon.
To bake or not to bake…
Are these not the most beautiful cookies you’ve ever seen?!?
For starters, shortbread is probably my favorite kind of cookie (although oatmeal raisin with walnuts comes close). But then you press colorful edible flowers on top and they’re so magnetic that I almost want to pull out the mixing bowl and preheat the oven.
Almost, but not quite.
I’m not entirely sure, but I think the last cookies I made might have been for my flute teacher at conservatory (I forget why). And that was a really, really long time ago. Yep, I’m definitely not a baker.
But it got me to thinking. As beautiful and magnetic as those cookies are, their appeal isn’t even strong enough to get me to read the recipe.
Contrast that with the uncountable hours I’ve spent on music: practicing, listening, rehearsing, studying, thinking about, talking about, planning, dreaming…
I find it fascinating how for me it’s music, but for somebody else it’s Edible Flower Pressed Shortbread Cookies.
By the way, if there are any bakers out there who want to make these cookies, I’ll gladly buy a few dozen from you. 😄
Making a difference
What a great example of how one person can make a difference. Even during a pandemic. Even while socially isolated. Despite infirmities. At any age!
If you want to be really inspired, read more about how this great soul raised £32 million for the National Health Service and lifted the spirits of his country during a very challenging time.
Bravo, Captain Sir Thomas Moore!
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.
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. 🤔
A divine mother gift
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! 💗