Freedom

…as we are liberated from our own fears, our presence automatically liberates others. 

— Nelson Mandela

To live is to allow for change

Is being vulnerable to every moment.

Is to move towards the unknown. 

Is everything and nothing.

— Gabriela Tomes Barbosa

Freedom to choose to:

Watch 

the sunrise

the sunset

clouds

the moon

stars

a storm brewing

lightening

Listen to

birds

waves

the forest

your breath

a symphony

an album from start to finish

a story

Leave 10 minutes earlier to have time to see, hear, feel the world as you move through it.

Walk slower

Has the light changed?

Do you feel the gradual onset of spring?

The softer breeze?

The warmth of the sun on your face?

The birds, maybe a bird you have not seen or heard since last fall? 

Arrive early so you have time to take a breath and settle in.

Turn off your notifications

let yourself drop into a task that requires your full attention

when you leave work

and leave your phone at home in a drawer one day a week

Call a friend 

Write a letter 

Bake a cake or loaf of bread from scratch

Try a new recipe

Pick up a book and read it

Drop into music

Improvise for 30-minutes

Take a walk and sing

Sing in the car

Drum on everything around you

Chant a mantra to yourself

Learn a song

As part of our guided exploration in my EuSing! class this week, we considered the profound impact attitude and sense of being has on vocal freedom. I believe this applies to everything we do. I have learned from years of experience that fear, expectation, self-defeating thoughts, and inner judgement can impede coordination. 

Sometimes to push our boundaries, we need to experiment with what it feels like to sing with confidence. 

How do we do that? 

Try focusing your energy and thoughts on the intention that drives the music you are making. 

What are you saying in your song? 

Here are some examples of intentions: I want to fill the room with peace, calm, and beauty; I want to tell a story; I want to let go and permit myself to be silly; I want to vent my frustration; or, I want to feel good and help others around me feel good. 

Fill the room peace, calm and beauty - let that beauty come from within. Let your mind wander to what you wish to offer. 

Tell a story: let yourself be inspired by a picture, a poem, something that has just happened to you, or an imagined scenario such as walking on the beach with someone you love. Where is that beach? What time of day is it? Who is that person? What have you experienced together? Etc. 

Let go and permit yourself to be silly - try different sounds, this can open new pathways of expression. Remember there is not ONE WAY to sing. 

Vent your frustration: some days are just crappy and sometimes we just need to put that into sound. The most difficult thing is to ask a highly trained musician to purposefully sing or play badly - like how you feel when you haven’t had enough sleep or you are just not feeling up to anything. Giving voice to these frustrations lets me get it out of my system. Acknowledge those nagging thoughts - give them a sound. 

I want to feel good and help others around me feel good. Start a beat, drum on the nearest object. Smile, let a sound out. 

The shift is about replacing “overseeing” yourself with clear intention and confidence. 

The shift is about letting go of the product and enjoying the process. 

These are difficult times: we are confronted with fear mongering, bullying, intimidation and manipulation. Being in music is freeing. Playing music with others connects us. 

There is a film I recommend: 

The Singing Revolution

Where words get in the way, music brings us closer to one another in one big human heart beat. 

I have always tried to avoid politics in my working life, but I feel deeply compelled to speak out for freedom, inclusivity, understanding, respect, and kindness.