Tonight, I had one of the most enjoyable evenings in the last couple of weeks. I registered for a free series of classes about music. This is not music appreciation per se, but understanding music development, notation, harmonies, overtones, and beats. The presenter is a delightful musician, arranger and teacher…
Any time a significant national or international event occurs, for example elections, disaster, or riots, some people are glued to the news. As they wake up, it is immediately the radio news, picking up the newspaper outside the door, turning on the computer or television, and neglecting to shower, dress, or do any of the usual morning activities. This behaviour fulfills the need to be informed and prepared for any eventuality. I happen to be familiar with such a person, and there is nothing, or almost nothing I can do in order to distract him from this behaviour…
Children, it is said, are wise and uninhibited, and tell us clearly the things that are most important to hear. The saying “Out of the mouths of babes” refers to this type of wisdom. Sometimes this wisdom inspires a sensitive adult to come up with creative solutions to a painful situation. This was precisely the case with Maura Cristina Silva, an elementary school teacher with 57 students, as reported in the New York Times. In response to a note from her third-grade pupil, stating “I am yearning for your hug,” she devised a disposable “hugging kit.” …
When I drove out this morning, I was surprised to see parked on the street beside our driveway a fancy, expensive, Land Rover.
It brought many memories and stories to mind, since for a while when our children were fairly small, our only car was an eight-seater Land Rover. It was certainly not a fancy car. It was a workhorse which used to belong to a prospector. It was my husband’s pride and joy…
We are in the last part of this challenging year. A year where we all had to cope with uncertainty, feelings of helplessness and needing to adapt to rapid change, as well as chaos. I have felt the value of practicing all the deep breathing techniques I teach in order to regulate myself. … I wonder what gives meaning to my life, what do I value, and what am I willing to do to preserve it?
Not surprisingly, I am not the only one asking these questions. A New York Times article caught my interest with the title “Yo-Yo Ma and the meaning of life.” …
We have just passed the shortest day of the year, and although the day is a bit longer now, darkness falls fast. It seems that the natural rhythm of darkness and light is much more noticeable these days, as our world is plunged into the darkness of a pandemic which touches all corners of the world and spreads a deep feeling of gloom over everything. We need to honor the mournful feelings, to stay with them a bit…