It’s not transactional. This process isn’t transactional. I’m not offering my love and and energy for something in return. Well, perhaps your time and attention. And yes, time is value. But can we move just slightly away from focusing on what we can get out of each investment, each relationship, and simply…be together. Be in an ecosystem of gift giving, generosity, reciprocity not because we feel obligated to, but because we care. We are community.
Read MoreWe all need reminders to soften. To notice we might be clenching our fists, distancing from those we love or whom love us, hiding behind our masks. I know I do. I’m on a continuous journey to reconnect with my capacity for warmth. And it’s really hard sometimes. But we have so many hidden treasures and friends around to help us: Totoro, Kiki, music, cats, cupcakes, sushi, a waft of fresh forest air, a silly random endearing connection with something, somewhere, anywhere.
Read MoreThe first day I arrived back at Orford, I was practicing the second movement of this sonata late in the evening, exhausted by all the challenges that have been overwhelming me these past few weeks, and suddenly I began to feel myself tearing up ... which happens often when I’m working on in incredible music like this. But this time, as I went on repeating that section where the main theme returns, I just allowed the raw emotions to take over, and soon I was crying uncontrollably. It felt almost indulgent, to just let myself weep like that as I kept playing. At a certain point, my fingers came to a standstill, but I still couldn’t stop the tears, so I just sat there in the silence, sobbing until I drained out all those emotions.
Read MoreIt’s not about being perfect. It’s that we are real, sincere, spontaneous. Take risks and commit to our beliefs, take confidence in our ideas and embrace our strengths and limitations. Find joy and excitement in the unknown, unexpected, unpredictable.
Read MoreI love that the music we study is so in-depth and powerful and endless in insight and possibilities that everytime we come back to them we discover new perspectives and gems and details - this new enlightened, renewed fascination with the same notes we’ve been repeating and perfecting for so many tireless hours. There’s always more, more to find, more to improv, more to do justice for. And it’s so worth it. We grow and change and mature with our music, and I love experiencing and becoming aware of that constantly developing relationship.
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