(#1) First Post

Welcome, everyone.

I'm glad you've decided to read this blog. Let me tell you what life is like right now.

It's a peacful morning. I just watched my neighbor pull away in his car, completely oblivious to my waving left arm. It's starting to warm up, and the dirt daubers are energetically fluttering around the porch. Their nest is directly under my back door, between the porch and the wall. I was concerned at first, but we have an arrangment: I will leave them alone if they leave me alone. So far, so good. They are curious, though. Every now and then they like to checkout my glasses or hair. It startles me slightly, and then we both go on with our day. 

Maybe right now you're wondering what any of this has to do with music. On the surface--arguably nothing. In my experience, however, finding peace is what allows us to sincerely express our innermost message. The language of music is another vehicle for conveying thoughts, feelings, ideas, and more, in a way that words don't always capture. In order to say what it is we really want to say, we must become vulnerable. We must open up in order to let the message out. This requires a proper environment, head space, and intention. Why are you dedicating time to sing or play? What purpose does it serve? Will you allow yourself to have unstructured experiences within this structured time? We must allow ourselves to fail, and to be inadequate. If we were immediately savants, what would be the point? Where is the journey, the discovery, and the fun? 

I hope you give yourself the grace to have intimite moments with your instrument, and nurture the relationship as you would any other. You can't get answers out of someone who doesn't feel comfortable around you. Just the same, you won't get music without developing a connection first. 

Happy playing.