| Current Category is: Creativity | Select Another Category | |
|
|
| Home | Search | Categories | Links | About Us | Contact Us |
|
|
 |
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
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
I Want To Create... What would you like to create? A peaceful life, a successful life, a good life, a sculpture, a piece of art, a book? What is it that you would like to create? Whatever you want you can achieve it. All you have to do is follow your natural compass. Mind Mapping Ever been on a project where you had trouble keeping all the 'if' questions straight? "If this happens," you say, "we'll do one thing. But, if that happens, we'll do something else instead, but only on a Wednesday. Creativity Management - Collaboration NOT Competition Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be defined as consisting of a number of ideas, a number of diverse ideas and a number of novel ideas. Top Five Journal Exercises Keeping a journal is a form of creative expression that enhances the creativity coaching process. Keeping a journal develops emotional awareness, reinforces self-esteem and aids in problem-solving. Take Time To Think I recently saw a program on television wherein the participants discussed the degree to which present day computer technology has contributed to our economy, well-being and our ability to communicate. They pointed out the many ways that this technology was already obsolete and that further refinements will impact our future in ways we dare not imagine. 12 Ways To Boost Your Creativity At Work As workplaces continue to rightsize and downsize, we all find ourselves doing more with less. How do we stay ahead of the workload while staying sane? The key is to put your creativity to work for you so you can do more with less and shine like never before. Creativity Management - Don't Write, Rewrite Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be defined as consisting of a number of ideas, a number of diverse ideas and a number of novel ideas. Mindfulness and Creativity: The Wow of Wonder You are so creative.Don't deny it. Creativity: Getting Out of the Box Leadership, especially in times of change, depends increasingly on the ability of managers, professionals and even front line workers to think and do things differently. In other words, to get out of the box!So, how do we get out of the box especially when most people are comfortable staying with the tried and true rather than exploring and championing new ideas? Here are tips to jolt your mind and start thinking more creatively. Creative Thinking versus Critical Thinking The process of creative thinking is often, mistakenly, intertwined with critical thinking. There is a tendency to write and edit simultaneously, couple hypothesis generation and evaluation, combine problem identification with solution. Creating Success All things begin in consciousness.Consciousness originates everything that is manifest. Rejuvenate & Re-Fuel Your Inner Drive I believe that as solo-entrepreneurs, business owners, and executives we all need a pat on the back. Give yourself commendation. Lucid Dreaming: Discover a Whole New World Did you know that all of your most cherished dreams are just a good night's sleep away?Lucid dreamers share one of the greatest secrets of modern living. They have discovered a whole new universe-a universe within. A Quick Course in Creativity This quick course in creativity is designed to give you a platform to stand on as we look at the various ways you can handle home, social and workplace situations, job-search details and career-path decisions.Let's examine what creativity might look like. How to Generate Ideas for Info-products? Dear friends the current study shows that there are morethan 50,000,000 registered domain names on the Internet(approx.)(Reference http://www. Art of Creation with Attention Attention is the greatest creative power in the world. If you command your attention, you command your creation/life. 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. Improvisation in Life and the Arts: What I learned from Free Play by Stephen Nachmanovitch Can you be an artist while you're washing the dishes?In this article I share some of my learning and impressions from a chapter of the exceptional book, "Free Play", by Stephen Nachmanovitch.This subtitle of this book, "The Power of Improvisation in Life and the Arts", speaks of bringing the improvising we do as creative artists into our daily routines and interactions. The Art of Keeping a Journal Journal keeping is basically without rules. It is an uncensored invitation to cut & paste, sketch & chart, and to visualize and unravel every great and small thought. How To Master Your Game Learn how to master your area of endeavor the right way. Start out by finding the people and books that will make you exceptional.
|
| Home
| Sitemap
| Disclaimer
| Privacy
| Contact
Us © COPYRIGHT 2011 BRAINBELLY.COM |
