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More remembering

Found myself thinking more about the musicals I grew up with and felt inspired to revisit some of my favorite lyrics (a few are excerpted below)…

From “South Pacific”
Happy talk keep talkin’ happy talk
Talk about things you’d like to do.
You gotta have a dream
if you don’t have a dream
How you gonna have a dream come true?
👉 THE TAKE AWAY: Focus on the positive and dream your dream!

From “The King & I”
I whistle a happy tune
And ev’ry single time
The happiness in the tune
Convinces me that I’m not afraid.
Make believe you’re brave
And the trick will take you far.
You may be as brave
As you make believe you are.
👉 THE TAKE AWAY: Acting “as if” really can help!

From “The Sound of Music”
I have confidence in sunshine,
I have confidence in rain.
I have confidence that spring will come again!
Besides what you see I have confidence in me.
Strength doesn’t lie in numbers.
Strength doesn’t lie in wealth,
Strength lies in nights of peaceful slumbers,
When you wake up, wake up!
It’s healthy!
All I trust I give my heart to,
All I trust becomes my own!
I have confidence in confidence alone!
Besides, which you see, I have confidence in me!
👉 THE TAKE AWAY: Believe in yourself and know the true source of your strength!

From “Camelot”
Camelot! Camelot!
I know it gives a person pause,
But in Camelot, Camelot!
Those are the legal laws.
The snow may never slush upon the hillside.
By nine p.m. the moonlight must appear.
In short, there’s simply not
A more congenial spot
For happily-ever-aftering than here
In Camelot.
👉 THE TAKE AWAY: In retrospect I wonder if this song didn’t reawaken samskars or astral memories. I loved the idea of that special, perfect, magical spot, but now I’m thinking that the perfection is never just about the physical reality; it come from being surrounded by harmonious vibrations and people of high consciousness…also known as spiritual community!

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Music history 101

I had many music history classes in college, memorizing lots of composers’ birth/death dates (most of which I’ve long forgotten, not that it matters even a little bit, thanks to the internet). But tonight I’m reflecting on my personal history of music and realizing that music impacted me in a wide variety of ways during the different “eras” of my life.

I grew up on musicals. That’s the first music that I was consciously aware of. The first time my family went to an indoor theater (as opposed to a drive-in movie) was to see My Fair Lady, with Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison.

And I can still picture the light blue sweater and blue/yellow plaid skirt I wore on an elementary school field trip to see The Sound of Music at the Century 21 theater in San Jose. That was a defining moment of my young life.

The Music Man. Camelot. The King and I. Oliver. Oklahoma. West Side Story. Flower Drum Song. Fiddler on the Roof. South Pacific. The list goes on and on. These movies were the soundtrack of my childhood. We had recordings of most of them and I spent hours singing along and memorizing the lyrics. (I would sometimes dance along as well; such as when I was around twelve and would go home, put on my red net petticoat, and dance my little heart out to “Shipoopi, shipoopi, shipoopi, the girl who’s hard to get…” from The Music Man!) 😂

I absolutely loved the clever use of words, the intricate rhythms, and the beautiful melodies. But many of these movies had either a positive message, or at least a few positive songs, or else upbeat tunes which raised my energy regardless of the lyrics. So I think I owe them a debt of gratitude for helping me develop into a pretty darn positive and optimistic person.

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Autumn thoughts

After the last few years of disastrous fire seasons, I’m grateful for the arrival of lower temperatures and rain, even before the end of September.

At the same time I’m also a little sad to see such a definite seasonal shift so early in the fall. As a native Californian I’m accustomed to more gradual changes and being able to wear my sandals and light sweaters almost until Thanksgiving, even here in the foothills.

One thing I always enjoy at this time of year is my renewed appreciation for the warmth of the sun. I mean, one can start to resent it in the heat of July and August, but there’s nothing quite like sitting in sunny sheltered spot on a chilly autumn day to remind us of what a blessing it is! Definitely one of life’s simple pleasures.

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Doing vs managing

Ramesha and I sang a duet and played a flute/guitar instrumental this morning for Sunday service. It feels a little strange to reflect on what a small percentage of our time goes toward actually doing music.

Instead we train others in making music; plan and organize music-related events; create content featuring music; promote music; write (lots of!) emails about music; figure out a budget for music; try to keep up with websites and social media for the music; attend lots of meeting about music; etc etc.

The hilarious thing, of course, is that we are so not managerial type people…and yet, together with Jeannie, we’re managing a department! Thank goodness God and gurus are in charge or else I’d really be worried! 😂

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Seniors

Had a nice visit with my Dad and sister today. I drove down to Sacramento and we had a long chat over lunch.

So, here’s the thing: I enjoy being eligible for more and more senior discounts — really I do! But I have to admit that it felt a little odd when all of us — including my baby sister — ordered from the senior menu today!

Oh well. Guess I just have to get used to it. 🙂

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Feeling grateful

Something shifted in a major way for me this past Sunday.

I came onto to the path later in life than many of my friends and gurubais, plus my decades of experience as a freelance musician — with a lifestyle to match — wasn’t a big help when it came to early rising and consistent routines.

Moving to Europe and back, then a few years later to Los Angeles and back, further disrupted my routines and I’ve been struggling — literally for years — to reestablish a strong, regular practice. Very frustrating.

But last Sunday I experienced a breakthrough! Afterwards, for three mornings in a row I spontaneously woke up earlier than usual, before the alarm, with a strong desire to meditate in the Temple of Light. I didn’t say anything (even to Ramesha) cause I didn’t want to jinx it, but I can now report that my “streak” lasted the entire week and I’m eager to extend it further. 😊

I’m so very, very grateful!

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4 months 1 week

That’s how long I’ve been writing this blog! It had been some time since I stopped and thought about it, but absolutely nothing was coming to mind to write about today, so I ended up with…this.

And I really don’t have anything interesting to say about this, either! 😂

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Don’t wait

How often we wait, hoping to feel happy enough to start singing…when it’s singing itself that will raise our energy and make us happy!

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International Village choir

NOW we’re officially back. Tonight was our first full choir rehearsal, and what a great rehearsal it was! Part of the wonderfulness is due to an influx of great souls in young (or at least young-ish) bodies who are adding a lot of fresh energy into the mix.

Since we had to leave town soon after these newbies started coming, we decided to join them for tea in the Expanding Light dining room after rehearsal tonight in order to get to know them all a little better.

Looking at the photos I took, it strikes me just how international of a group it is; we are truly evolving into a World Brotherhood Choir right here at Ananda Village. Hari bol!

Arya (Hong Kong), Erin, Linda, Arati (Spain), Dhyan
Lakshman (the 1st, who has recently returned to Ananda Village), Ben, Catarina (Finland), Ashtara (Israel)
Max (Russia) who is serving at Ananda Scotts Valley–so we can’t get him in choir quite yet, Arya, Erin
Catarina, Ashtara, Gaurja (India), Ramesha (Switzerland)
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Living lyrics

At Oregon Creek Day Use Campground on the Middle Yuba River

This morning I lived the truth of some favorite song lyrics — we left home in the sunshine, drove by some meadows, and sat by a stream to just be! And boy oh boy was it nice. 🙂

Oregon Creek is only a few minutes from our home; we’re determined to visit regularly in the future in order to take advantage of its relaxing beauty.

Here are the full lyrics to There’s Joy in the Heavens (by Swami Kriyananda):

There’s joy in the heavens,
A smile on the mountains,
And melody sings everywhere.
The flowers are all laughing
To welcome the morning;
Your soul is as free as the air.

Leave home in the sunshine:
Dance through a meadow—
Or sit by a stream and just be.
The lilt of the water
Will gather your worries
And carry them down to the sea.

Men hunger for freedom,
But don’t see their dungeon
Is only the thought that they’re bound!
Desires are their shackles:
The hope that tomorrow
The doorway to joy will be found.

There’s joy all around us!
Why wait till tomorrow?
We’ve only this moment to live.
A heaven within us
Is ours for the finding,
A freedom no riches can give!