we can be alone, together

You know, I think we have to be careful in our perspectives right now. Thinking of ourselves as isolated from each other makes us feel more disconnected than ever. Although we have agreed to put distance between ourselves to assist everyone around us to stay healthy, and to help the medical system to cope, our actions, our voluntary cooperation with the recommendations coming from the experts, actually show a wonderful spirit of community.

Yes, some of us are afraid. Yes, some people are hoarding. Yes, some are not listening.Yes, the news is depressing and sad.

Yet, I look around me and I see the generosity and kindness. The student who writes and asks me if I am ok, can they pick up something for me? The landlady who leaves a note under my door, telling me to let her know if I need anything at all. The calm generosity of the delivery driver. The spirit of camaraderie in the groups and tribes I belong to, consoling each other, encouraging each other, trying to find something to smile or laugh about in how we are coping, in how we are trying to enjoy our 'time off' in spite of all the things it is far too easy to worry about.

In a sense, in our social distancing and self-isolation, some of us are reaching out more. Finding safe ways to connect and shore each other up. Passing along good information, correcting misinformation. Offering virtual hugs.

I loved this quote from Dr. Lindsay Jernigan: "Try this perspective shift. Instead of seeing 'social distancing' and travel bans as panic, try seeing them as acts of mass cooperation intended to protect the collective whole. This plan is not about individuals going into hiding. It's a global deep breath... an agreement between humans around the planet to be still. Be still, in hopes that the biggest wave can pass without engulfing too many of the vulnerable amongst us."

scatter the scatteredness

It is... a time I never thought I'd see. I'm a science fiction buff, but I never thought I'd actually live through a scenario like this. I was talking to someone today about how it feels. We both said we feel like our energy is scattered, that there is an underlying sense of stress and worry about the days to come, with income dwindling and the wherewithal to replace it beyond our ken. Yet, on the other hand. The kindness and compassion of so many people, the spirit of hope and togetherness we've seen is wonderful. People caring for each other, thinking of each other. Those that are well, understanding that it's not about themselves as an individual, but about all those who they meet. For those who are ill... hopefully our social distancing and change to so many facets of our regular life, will assist them.

I end up asking myself what I can do. Call my friends. Zoom chat. Take part in online community events. Reach out to comfort others and thereby feel less alone.

And then there is always my creative work. My singing, practicing playing guitar, working through my orchestral and composition courses, drawing and painting. Just before this all began, I had signed up for a graphics art course, purchased a graphics tablet and Photoshop. I've been starting and stopping. I know the healthy thing is to hunker down and work on creative things. To turn off the news, and Facebook, and go sit in the garden to read. Listen to music and work on Photoshop tutorials. Create music of my own.

In the coming days I hope to use my time wisely and well. I know the key is 'to start'. So I'm starting now by writing a blog.

If you're reading this, I hope you are doing okay. I hope your friends and family are too. If there is one thing we can take away from this is that we are truly a global people, and we are, all in this together. Take care <3

Growing in circles

My own journey has not been a linear path, anything but. Sometimes I approached success and went off in an entirely different direction for some reason I can't fathom now looking back. But there are a few things I have learned:

- don't give up your dreams to have a relationship. I don't mean you shouldn't respect your partner or work on that togetherness. I mean, if someone tells you your dreams are not their dreams and you need to choose, don't give up yours. The price of love should never be the thing that lights you up inside. If someone really loves you, they will support that thing that inspires you. That's what makes you you.

- don't give up your dreams because you have wasted time doing something else or have reached a certain age. Creativity has no number attached to it. There are wonderfully talented young people, and wonderfully talented seniors, and everything in between. Like I said, I have been on the road and off the road, gone around in circles, been in deep ruts, lost and unsure. Forgive yourself, get back up, and start again. I have, more times than I can count ;)

- allow yourself to play. Not everything that you 'make' or 'create' is going to be perfect. Do it for the joy of doing, and trust you'll find a way to smooth the edges later, or, if it ends up being something you can't fix up, know it's experience and grist for the mill.

- do what you can when you can. Everyone is different. Some have full-time jobs and families and all sorts of responsibilities. Find 5 minutes here and 5 minutes there. It adds up.

- take time to take care of you. Your mind and your heart need peace, serenity, sleep, nourishment.

- not everyone is going to like what you do or how you do it. Listen to the feedback of those you trust, and let the rest go. Remember Star Trek and IDIC... infinite diversity in infinite combinations.

- pay it forward when you can. It's amazing how generous our creative tribe is. Part of that is taking responsibility for being informed and being responsible for disseminating good information along with encouragement and support to others on the path.

- everyone can sing. Everyone can be 'in the music'. We should encourage this in our children, in our friends and in our world. Music is the only human activity that lights up the whole brain. It's one of the most beautiful things humans do and create. Relish it and treasure it and share it.

<3

what do you get when you don't get stuff done

It's been an amazingly interesting month, working with a voice student on an intensive program for freeing the voice, and meeting 5 days out of 7 for an hour. As part of the student's process, they are recording video of the sessions and journalling immediately after, then watching the video the next next day and journaling more. I'm taking notes as I participate as mentor, and sharing my process and my knowledge with him as we go forward. Many discussions on what it means to free oneself from past programming and what it means to be alive and in the moment.

Many many voice teachers speak of pedagogy, as do I, but for me the studying of singing is more than the technical things we need to do in order for the voice to work properly. Because those of us who are shy or introverted or intimidated or doubtful can study technique til we are blue in the face, but unless the way we relate to ourselves and the world is included it's hard to get free. I teach this because it was the process of learning to sing that allowed me to wake up to the way I protected myself and how that held my voice back... and me back... from being fully actualized.

In today's session I wrote, 'what am I not accomplishing, and what do I get from not accomplishing it?' (I called this a 'Dr Phil moment' :D)  There has to be a payoff for those things we wish to do and have opportunity to do but do not do. Not that we should be rigid and expect every hour to be busy with stuff. But there are hours wasted surfing the net or playing games that would potentially be better spent. That's what I contemplate tonight....

"Never hope for more than you are willing to work for"

I found that quote in an interesting blog by Brian Medavoy. Although the blog is about breaking into Hollywood, all the things he talks about could apply to a creative career anywhere. Highly recommended: Getting to Know Hollywood: Sign the Town Before You Sign the Talent
 

do what you were born to do....

Lovely article, worth a read: 'Actress Ann Dowd on What It Was Like Not Finding Success Until Her Fifties'

'Social prescribing' has its benefits

Just had to share this article: 'British Doctors May Soon Prescribe Art, Music, Dance, Singing Lessons'

When I read an article like that I think someone is finally getting it right. I've always felt that removing music from schools for lack of funds - like it's not important for our development and wellbeing - is a crime. Music is not a luxury. It's a necessity. I know not everyone can afford lessons or instruments or even to join a choir sometimes is impossible. But still we can enjoy music in our lives in a variety of ways. There are many benefits to being 'in the music'. Don't wait!