ComputerHunter.org |
|
|
|||
|
 |
What Open Stage is Teaching Me About Life
After many years of performing as a vocalist, I switched my focus to my training and work as a music therapist. I love sharing my music with my clients with special needs and it continues to be an incredibly rewarding field of work. Recently I got back into performing, only this time I brought my guitar with me. I started attending and performing at a monthly Open Stage afternoon. It's been a great musical experience, a chance to try out the Performance Wellness techniques I've been learning (and teaching) and a humbling chance to be a "beginner" again. Here are five lessons I've learned so far: 1. Let go of the results If I approach a performance with the expectation that it will launch my singing career, impress someone (everyone), that every note will sound exactly like it did at my best rehearsal or that I will have a transcendental experience, I might just be disappointed. If I approach the stage only with the intention of being fully in the moment and doing my best, I can't go wrong. This applies to the rest of my life as well. I know that when I'm thinking ahead to how something will turn out, I'm not paying fully attention to THIS MOMENT. And if I'm not paying full attention to this moment, what's the point of being here? 2. Have a plan and be willing to throw it out This one is similar to the first idea. While I can prepare a few songs and have a preset image of who will accompany me, what instruments they'll use and where in the order of performers I'd prefer to go, I need to be willing to let all that go, in order to be flexible and accommodating to the organizers and other performers. And it's these impromptu groupings of musicians that sometimes lead to incredible moments of music-making. I need to remember that this is not a polished show with high ticket prices that needs to be executed precisely. And neither is the rest of my life. While I can certainly approach each day with an intention to do my best, stay in the moment and get a certain number of specific things done, I also strive to be open to surprises and new possibilities. Because God usually has a much better plan for me than I do! 3. Ask for help In my first time at the Open Stage, I realized I'd be much more comfortable sitting on a stool to play, so I asked if I could do that. I even asked someone to help me bring it over. In my second time at the Open Stage, I arrived "sans guitar", trusting that if I was open to receive it, there would be a solution. Someone graciously lent me his guitar (thanks, Mike!) and it worked out beautifully. Support from others is crucial to my self-care, health and well-being. And I need to remember that no one can read my mind. If I say I'm "fine", they're going to take that at face value. It takes a lot of courage to ask for help ? and I'm also giving a gift to those I'm asking. Helping me makes them feel good. 4. Send love to what (or who) I'm afraid of "Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love" - Ranier Maria Rilke. In her Performance Wellness training for musicians, Dr. Louise Montello of Musicians Wellness, Inc. speaks about a "loop" of energy that flows between the performer and the audience. She also reminded me that most of the people sitting in the audience are there because they love music (just like me) and are looking to have a positive experience (just like me). If I think about how I can help those people, what I can give to them through my music, how to help them have that positive experience, then all of a sudden I'm no longer thinking about myself (like what I might do wrong or what they might be thinking about me). I've personally experienced this positive flow of energy. When I look into an audience expecting to find love and acceptance, and focus on GIVING those things myself, I'm rewarded with all of that positive energy coming back to me. I find that sending love towards what I fear ? and sending love to MYSELF when I'm afraid, helps me to loosen the hold that the fear has on me. 5. Experience (and only experience) makes an expert When I went to that first Open Stage afternoon, I didn't know how it would turn out. I didn't know what would happen or whether I would be any good. I so much wanted to skip the step of experiencing it for the first (and second, and third, and fourth) time, and just get to where I already felt comfortable and could predict the outcome (uh-oh, there's a few lessons from above that I hadn't quite learned yet!). The truth is that I have to be patient and let things unfold in God's perfect time. Though I've "paid my dues" in other musical and life situations, I have to humbly accept that I'm very much a beginner at this Open Stage situation. When I want to stay safe by doing things the way I've always done them, or choosing the strategy that has a "guaranteed" outcome, I'm limiting my possibilities for all kinds of wonderful (and unexpected) experiences. I can't wait to see what's next for me on the Open Stage. Stay tuned for my next lessons?? This article was originally published on the Muses Muse Songwriter's Resource website (April 2005) http://www.musesmuse.com (c) Linda Dessau, 2005. All rights reserved. Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, helps artists enhance their creativity by addressing their unique self-care issues. Feel like your creativity is blocked? Sign-up for your complimentary copy of the popular e-course, "Roadblocks to Creativity" by visiting http://www.genuinecoaching.com
Google News - Top Stories
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Creativity and Broken Eggs In 1420, the dignitaries of Florence held a competition. Creativity Management ? Intellectual Cross Pollination Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation. Mindfulness and Independence: Observing Fireworks "It's a free country," they say. "Celebrate our independence," I hear. Five Basic Steps to Benefit from Your Creativity The ability to exercise your creativity is even more important for you than you probably think. Why? First, your creativity tremendously contributes to your self-actualization, which is essential for you to feel satisfied with your life and be happy. Second, it is exceedingly important for being successful in building relationships and earning money. Art, Artists and Vocation "If you really want to upset your parents?go into the arts!"-Kurt Vonnegut Creativity Isnt Just About Art It Is About Healing Go on, pick up a pen, hold it in your hand and ask, " What can you do for me?" What do you hear? If you listen with your heart you may hear " I can show you a world within that only you and I can explore! Let's start writing and see what we can find." You Dont Have To Be An Artist To Be Creative Imagine that a block of ice has been set on your desk. Now describe it. Square, clear and cold, right! Next, consider it from different points of view: If you were trekking across Death Valley, that ice could quench your thirst; a doctor could use it to reduce a patient's fever; a madman could use it to crack a victim's skull; and an engineer could boil it to produce steam for a turbine. Why Teach Thinking? Why Not ? The word 'creativity' has so many diverse meanings and interpretations. I remember telling an audience of teachers that creating a mess is also creative as long as new things and views are being conjured up. This led to much laughter and discussion about the meaning of 'creativity' (This notion of 'creative mess' was taken from master-thinker, Dr Edward de Bono). Mindfulness and Creativity: The Wow of Wonder You are so creative. Unlock Your Creative Secret Weapon It seems like this week a ton of people have been asking me how they can become more creative. I even had one client jokingly accuse me of being in cahoots with the Devil in trade for my creativity. "Where do you get all of your ideas?" he asked. Well, I have decided to share my secret with you in this issue. Creating and Living Your Ideal Legacy A legacy is more than a gift that lives on after you. Certainly, a legacy is a contribution to humanity. A legacy provides value to future generations. However, if you are creating your ideal legacy, it will also make your heart bubble with passion and excitement today! 20 Ways to Keep Your Writing Inspiration and Creativity High When stressed or blocked it is wise to make a change so thatwe don't stay in that place. Yet, many times we forget someof the simple things that we can do for ourselves, quicklyand easily to bring our inspiration back and increase ourcreativity. How to Make Time for Art The key to making time for art is the ability to say "NO". Mindfulness and Music: Things That Go Hmmm Shhh... can you hear it? 7 Techniques to Supercharge your Creativity and Solve your Problems Do you ever encounter problems, challenges or obstacles in your business? If you answered 'no,' then you can stop reading and continue to rake in the fortune you must be making. For the rest of us, the answer of course is 'yes.' Recharge Your Battery It was 4:15PM on a Thursday when I arrived at the hair salon to get my haircut. My hair appointment was at 5PM but I arrived there quite early. Being Creative is Essential for Online Success Do you have a strategy that ensures your online business stands out from the crowd? Push The Right Button You can live a much more successful life than you think! Just push the right button and see how it opens the doors of success for you. Yes, its so simple and easy. Yet the great majority of people fail to achieve success. Why? Because they push the wrong buttons. Characteristics: Creative Types VS Clods! Here are some odds & ends I have observed in creative-expert-genius types: Gifts of the Inner Voice Now that I no longer awaken to the sound of a jarring alarm clock, I've learned to welcome the early morning hours.
|
|
|
|
|
