Not quite sure why, but after today’s multiple meetings; sing-along prep; the sing-along itself; videotaping the Sunday service backing track; and doing a choir Zoom session about video-recording tips — I’m just completely out of juice. 😉
Balancing act
I’m actually happy to report that today was not only about productivity!
To be sure, I “got things done”.
But I also spent time immersed in the beauty of Crystal Hermitage Gardens, sat on our patio in the sun, and cooked a delicious meal.
Productivity day 3
I can hardly believe it myself, but today the productivity show moved outdoors…
…I took a morning walk (too many things get in the way later in the day); then — after a morning of computer tasks — cleared an accumulation of junky stuff from our patio; carried it all to the dumpster; swept the patio; and pulled a bunch of weeds.
My reward? Sitting in the warm sun while listening to crickets, birds, and breeze. Then gazing up into the wisteria and letting the bees take over productivity for a while. 😉
The productivity continues…!
There is definitely something astrological happening and we are benefiting greatly.
Today was about giving our home some energy…
…Ramesha put together my “work-from-home” desk (yay!); we rearranged furniture to make room for the desk; I camouflaged the back of the bookcase that’s been waiting to be moved into its permanent spot; vacuumed the whole apartment; and started the process of reorganizing the items that will go on the new shelves.
And that was after this morning’s sing-along; a few hours of computer work; and fitting in a video chat with a friend.
Now I’m completely done for the day and ready to treat myself to popcorn for dinner. 😉
Quitting time
This has been quite the full day…
…participated in meeting after meeting; took an awesome online music marketing training; made progress in learning an exciting new sharing platform; wrote scads of emails; and updated various events.
It actually makes me wonder, did something change astrologically? This has not been my usual work flow lately.
Ah well, as they say: “don’t ask, just be thankful!” Which I definitely am, because it feels soooo good to actually get a lot done for a change!
But now it’s time to stop, eat, and relax. Phew.
Small but huge
I’ve been reflecting on how huge and exciting small things feel these days.
This morning I made it to Master’s Market at the tail end of “Healthy Senior Shopping” hours. This was the first time I actually browsed the aisles and shopped since we started self-isolating in mid-March!
Small but huge.
We’ve been out of our usual hand soap refill for some time. What made it worse is that the last time (I thought) I purchased it, instead of the gel I accidentally picked up the watery liquid soap for foaming dispensers. So, after not being able to find it anywhere for weeks, the other day it was in stock at Target, so I ordered it, and it arrived yesterday.
Small but huge.
A community resident did a Costco run today and was able to buy us a large container of spring mix — yay! And when I went to pick it up I was able to say hello (masked and from a distance, of course) to several friend/neighbors I hadn’t seen in almost six weeks.
Small but HUGE.
Thank you, God, for blessings small but huge.😄
Amen.💕
A progression of thoughts
First came this video. A tribute by dancers from the Paris Opera, it’s touching because of what they’re going through and the beauty of their art and the fact that it’s their expression of gratitude to medical professionals. But it also immediately transported me back to when I was studying in San Francisco and first developed a passion for Prokofiev… especially the music of his Romeo and Juliet ballet, which was an absolute revelation to me when I saw it (repeatedly) at SF Ballet all those many years ago.
But that got me thinking about another piece by Prokofiev that I absolutely loved and performed many times: the Flute Sonata (the video below is just the first movement; there are four total). Prokofiev had a real gift for melody and I loved playing the soaring lines of this sonata. Of course, it was also extremely demanding technically, but that’s par for the course when you’re a professional flutist.
Which got me pondering the fact that: “Oh my goodness, I used to be able to play that stuff! And play it well.” It hardly seems real any more, it’s so in my distant past.
But actually, I realized that playing flute well wasn’t entirely relegated to my past. There was a little (a very little!) part of me holding on to the fantasy that “if I were just to start practicing again” I could once again be that flutist. But you know what?
She’s long gone!
Not just because I haven’t really practiced in twenty years. And not just because I wouldn’t have the physical stamina to get back into full flute form. But because — thanks to who I am now and what my current priorities are — it doesn’t motivate me. I no longer match that reality.
And a part of me felt a little sad, because this realization meant also acknowledging that I will never in this lifetime play the Prokofiev Sonata absolutely flawlessly, without a single mistake…
Whoa! Who knew that thought/feeling/desire was even in there!
But it was. And I remembered a quote from some self-help workshop or other; something along the lines of: “You don’t want to die with your potential intact.” Which was connected in my mind with never having had an absolutely perfect performance of the Prokofiev Sonata.
Which is crazy!
I had many excellent performances of the Prokofiev; not to mention of tons of other wonderful pieces of music as well, with lots of fabulous musicians, over the years and decades. Yes, there was always the possibility of more and better. Why? Because life is infinite…and we are infinite. There’s always more; we never run out of potential. Until we merge back into God, at which point we actually once again know the truth that we’re one with infinity.
Which is an exceptionally freeing point to have reached at the conclusion of this long progression of thoughts. 😊
Blessings on Swami’s Moksha anniversary!
I could watch this video again and again and again (thank you, Aryavan and Ishani from Center Everywhere!).
Those eyes. That laugh. The deep wisdom and incredibly sweet smile.
What a blessing to have been present for so many of these moments in time!
Thinking of Swamiji
Hard to believe it’s been seven years since Swami Kriyananda left his body. On the one hand, I still miss him terribly; on the other hand, I feel him with me as much (sometimes even more) than ever!
Swami’s song Brothers (or Fratelli, in Italian) is one that really captures his essence as a citizen of the universe — at home everywhere and a friend to everyone! Swamiji truly “lived in many countries and mixed with many men,” touching thousands of lives along the way.
I’m so grateful he touched mine.
Blown away yet again…
I’ve written before about the vocal group Famiglia Sala (the Sala Family); we do our best to attend their concerts whenever we visit Switzerland and Italy.
They always blow us away when we hear them live, but I didn’t really expect to feel so moved listening to them online. Especially since they were performing — as is everyone these days! — from separate locations. This Stabat Mater event was broadcast on Swiss television for Good Friday, but we finally watched the video tonight. It’s a deeply devotional presentation, and — sure enough — the Famiglia Sala blew me away yet again.
From the event description:
Together they overcame the limitations and difficulties of this period to leave a profound testimony of a moment destined to remain in history. The result has great emotional impact that aims to allow people who cannot participate at religious services during this period, to still have a moment of reflection through music and reading.
It truly did have great emotional impact and the singing was simply out of this world gorgeous. Bravissima, Famiglia Sala!