It took a pandemic… but I’m playing music again!
Life has settled into the rhythm of a new normal, and —dare I say?!— I have started to find a degree of comfort, of ease, with the slower pace, the simplified days. Anyone else out there realizing this truth?
Having clutter-cleared my whole house…
… (at least three carloads over the spring and summer months unloaded at the secondhand stores around town), and having rearranged several rooms, my digital piano finally emerged from the back of a deep closet, and now has a proper place in the sitting room off my kitchen. After decades of not touching the instrument (though in my first two decades of life it was an almost daily companion), I am re-learning the piano and thoroughly enjoying the process. (Needless to say, my cat, Gracie, is also enjoying the discovery of her own musical talent, as she plays with all four paws!)
A coach of mine recently suggested that we strive to live each hour of the day in Learning, Appreciation, or Joyful Activity. I love that, and I now start each day with this intention. I am ever more delighted when I occasionally realize that not just one, but two or even all three are manifesting at the same time! Like when I’ve decided to get onto my yoga mat to practice (Joyful Activity) and explore a new principle in my body that one of my teachers recently introduced (Learning). (The work is to then Appreciate every little step forward, even if it’s still not possible to balance on my arms with my legs folded up on top of the triceps!)
Or… when I follow through with my newest habit: sitting down at the piano to practice (Joyful Activity), re-learning how to move my fingers across the keys, coordinating the left and right hands doing different things (Learning, which feels like patting the head and rubbing the tummy at the same time), and then marveling at the result: actual recognizable music (Appreciation)!! 🙂
Joy is contagious!
This past weekend, I was reminded of this truth: the joy of music increases exponentially when shared! I called my father on the occasion of his 82nd birthday and played “Happy Birthday” for him on the piano!
(Ahh, the day that I’ll be able to play Chopin etudes and Beethoven sonatas well enough again to share with people…)
What brings you joy?
Especially during this unique time that we’re living through, in the midst of extended uncertainty, and when the pull of fear and despair is stronger than ever… it’s more and more important for us to remember to find joy on a daily basis! What are you learning these days that’s enjoyable? What do you have time now to appreciate more than you ever have before? What kinds of activities do you regularly engage in that bring you joy?
Please feel free to comment if you’re inclined to share. I love hearing from you. Let’s share our joy with each other! After all, joy is contagious — let’s spread it around!!