Choir, ensemble, solos, instrumentals…
A deeply appreciative audience, both in person and online…
Lots of preparation, loads of details…
All culminating in a beautiful expression of energy, upliftment, and JOY!
Tonight’s Christmas concert
Attention is everything
Someone paired the above quote with a poem by Mary Oliver and the combination really hit home for me.
The Wisest Thing I Know
Ten times a day something happens to me like this –
some strengthening throb of amazement – some good sweet empathic ping and swell.
This is the first, the wildest and the wisest thing I know:
that the soul exists and is built entirely out of attentiveness.
-Mary Oliver
Many years ago at Science of Mind I learned another way of stating this powerful truth: Where attention goes, energy flows.
It makes sense to me that this is how we become (and how our soul-being is built) according to what we pay attention to.
“The Music Man” to the rescue
I was in a bit of a slump this morning. Just having a really hard time getting going.
After a bit, Ramesha left for the office, while I sat at the table trying to get up the energy to stop scrolling and start doing.
But then I happened upon a video of the composer (and flutist, which I never knew), Meredith Willson, explaining his non-rhyming lyrics to the song “Trouble” from The Music Man.
Well, The Music Man was one of my favorite musicals growing up, so after watching the video I had to listen to the version from the movie. Then I had to listen to the rest of the movie soundtrack (for the first time in decades).
The funny thing is that while I was listening I started doing a few things. Making the bed. Folding and hanging up some clothes. Putting away books. You get the idea.
But what’s really interesting is that when it got to the “Ya Got Trouble & Seventy-Six Trombones” point in the soundtrack, I jumped up and started dancing and marching around the room!
It’s like the music just forced me up and about, and I suddenly felt so happy!
I’m sure it was a matter of joyous childhood memories combined with the happy, upbeat melody and rhythm. But whatever it was, I was just glad to finally feel my energy moving again.
The struggle is real
Now that I’m back to full energy and my regular “work,” I’m also falling back into old habits of getting to bed late.
It’s frustrating enough to make me want to pull my hair out!
Aarrghh…!
On the mend
I was more “myself” today, though still nowhere near my usual energy levels.
I mean, accomplishing a “lot” right now looks like: juicing some lemons; (finally) sorting our vacation mail; and washing dishes.
What I’m particularly proud of is the way I sat on the patio for what felt like hours this afternoon… staring at the treetops, gazing at the occasional butterfly, hearing the birdsong, listening to the lizards rustling through the dried wisteria blossoms…
Aaaaahhhhhhh… I’m falling asleep just thinking about it.
Corner turned
There are times when an appropriate medication is the only way to go.
Today I’m feeling extremely grateful for the Rx that seems to have finally ended my recent malady. I’ve had my first completely “normal” day in almost a week; what a relief!
I’ll still follow the doctor’s recommendation to get some bloodwork done, mainly as a precautionary measure. But my energy is back and I feel confident that I’ve turned the corner.
Within me lies the energy
I’ve been working intensively with this affirmation for the past few days as part of a reinvigorated self-care process.
Within me lies the energy to accomplish all that I will to do. Behind my every act is God’s infinite power!
(from Affirmations for Self-Healing by Swami Kriyananda)
Because we need ENERGY to get anything done, right?!?
But an insight hit me pretty quickly as I went deeper into the affirmation. It has to do with the words: “…to accomplish all that I will to do.”
Because I can have infinite energy at my command but if I don’t have the WILL to do something, accomplishment simply can’t happen.
Something to meditate on further.
More and more satisfying
That’s how I’m feeling about our ensemble rehearsals!
We’re listening more to one another. We’re maintaining the energy and holding our pitch. We’re consistently conveying the meaning of the lyrics. We’re going deeper into the consciousness of every song.
Sometimes it feels like hard work, but at the same time, we’re having so much FUN!
This is one of the moments that I really, really love my job.
A necessary reminder
Dealing with subtle feelings of irritation tonight and not liking the way it’s pulling down my energy.
Time to focus on gratitude instead, which isn’t hard because I’ve got lots and lots to be grateful for!
Which reminds me… I think I’m ready to follow-up on my gratitude tattoo.
Whipping up some energy
Yes, I’m looking forward to seeing the latest Indiana Jones movie, but that isn’t really what’s got me thinking about whips.
No, it’s the fact that I’m finally hitting that “after the big event” slump, where I just don’t want to do anything…regardless of the fact that there are things I really do need to accomplish.
But when I say that maybe I’ll be able to “whip” myself into action tomorrow, what I’m really getting at is the need to “whip up” my energy!