This whole trip has been so significant in my life journey. As I received the delight offered to me in the waves, the wind and the sun today; healing and wholeness seemed to also be present, warming my soul. I felt an ache in my heart to say "farewell" and yet I have hope for more frequent and quality visits. Are there new openings for me here? I guess we'll see what unfolds down the road.
Peace & Gratitude,
Heatherlyn
This whole trip has been so significant in my life journey. As I received the delight offered to me in the waves, the wind and the sun today; healing and wholeness seemed to also be present, warming my soul. I felt an ache in my heart to say "farewell" and yet I have hope for more frequent and quality visits. Are there new openings for me here? I guess we'll see what unfolds down the road.
Peace & Gratitude,
Heatherlyn
In 2012, I began studying piano again after 10 years! Though I'm very grateful for all teachers along the journey, my current piano teacher gets me like none other I've had. She connects to my style of learning and appreciates my insatiable curiosity about music.
The first time we met for a session, I was telling her a little of my experience to give her a sense of my background. I shared with her matter-of-factly: "I had 2 semesters of Music Theory in College and I just sucked at it." Without a moment's hesitation, she compassionately said, "Awh, that probably just means your teacher didn't understand the best way to teach you."
Suddenly, I realized, all this time, I'd thought I did poorly in those courses because there was something wrong with me. Now, there was nothing wrong with my teacher either. He was fine. We simply just didn't get each other and I was often made to feel that my background was less than sufficient. Naturally, I thought I wasn't working for the course rather than that the course wasn't working for me because I was the one being evaluated and graded and not measuring up.
When my piano teacher said those words, I literally thought: "You mean it's not because I was stupid [about music]!?!" I had know idea I even needed compassion; but she gently interrupted my train of thought and shook up a belief I've had about myself for years, a frame of mind that has held me back and made me feel inferior to other musicians for far too long.
We'll continue to work together - not to mention, have a whole lot of fun - in 2013 with her incredible, integrative style: the basis of piano alongside some guided listening, theory, music history and connection to other arts. She enriches my life wonderfully and has been a conduit of healing and grace. I feel liberated to learn and not stop just because of my age or whatever silly reason. I'm so excited to keep learning more and share with you all what I'll write because of this wonderful instrument now becoming a more regular part of my life.
With gratitude and joy,
Heatherlyn
As we all begin doing our 2012 recaps, I will likely get to the typical highlights at some point but what I really want to do is share with you some of my journey and the kind, generous, gracious teachers along the way who've shared their presence, their open hearts and their wisdom with me during this past year.
Many of you know that at the end of 2011, I lost my voice and it was pretty serious; actually, it was terrifying, and for a bit, looking to potentially cause a major shift in our lives.
Ultimately, it was a physical manifestation of some deeper pain and life issues. So 2012 has been quite a journey of intense healing and intentional growth (as a human being and as a musician). I knew this year would be very much about rediscovering and redefining my voice - literally, musically, rhetorically. It has and I feel we've only just begun. This is the stuff that makes up real life, so over the next few weeks, you can expect to see blog posts that will be personal vignettes of 2012 and tributes, with a heart full of gratitude, to my teachers. As always, my hope is that you might find some part of our story inspiring and that you might receive some good gift as you continue to travel with us on this road of both bliss and sweat. Thank you!!
LoveJoyPeaceHope,
Heatherlyn
The first time we met for a session, I was telling her some of my experience to give her a sense of my background. I shared with her matter-of-factly: "I had 2 semesters of Music Theory in College and I just sucked at it." Without a moment's hesitation, she compassionately said, "Awh, that probably just means your teacher didn't understand the best way to teach you." Suddenly, I realized, all this time, I'd thought I did poorly in those courses because there was something wrong with me. Now, there was nothing wrong with my teacher. He was fine. We simply just didn't get each other and I was often made to feel that what I brought to class was less than sufficient. He wasn't the only one, over the years, positioned above me who didn't seem to believe in me. Naturally, I thought I wasn't working for the course rather than that the course wasn't working for me because I was the one being evaluated and graded and not measuring up.
Back to summer of 2012: when my piano teacher said those words, I literally thought: "You mean it's not because I'm stupid [about music]!?!" I had no idea I even needed compassion; but she gently interrupted my train of thought and shook up a belief I've had about myself for years, a frame of mind that has held me back and made me feel inferior to other musicians for far too long.
In the coming year, we'll continue to work together - not to mention, have a whole lot of fun - with her incredible, integrative style: the basis of piano alongside some guided listening, theory, music history and connection to other arts. This dear teacher of mine generously and colorfully enriches my life and has been a conduit of healing and grace. I feel liberated to learn and not stop just because of my age or whatever silly reason. I'm so excited to keep learning more and share with you all the new songs that will come to life because of this wonderful instrument now becoming a more regular part of my life.
Here's to good teachers and here's to a vibrant 2013!
With gratitude and joy,
Heatherlyn
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As we all begin doing our 2012 recaps, I will likely get to the typical highlights at some point but what I really want to do is share with you some of my journey and the kind, generous, gracious teachers along the way who've shared their presence, their open hearts and their wisdom with me during this past year.
Many of you know that at the end of 2011, I lost my voice and it was pretty serious; actually, it was terrifying, and for a bit, looking to potentially cause a major shift in our lives.Ultimately, it was a physical manifestation of some deeper pain and life issues. So 2012 has been quite a journey of intense healing and intentional growth (as a human being and as a musician). I knew this year would be very much about rediscovering and redefining my voice - literally, musically, rhetorically. It has and I feel we've only just begun.
This is the stuff that makes up real life, so over the next few weeks, you can expect to see blog posts that will be personal vignettes of 2012 and tributes, with a heart full of gratitude, to my teachers. Above all, they've shown me that we truly never have to walk through the dark places alone or try to heal all on our own. They are gentle gardeners in the soul of my soul, bearing light and nourishment. As always, my hope is that you might find some part of our story inspiring and that you might receive some good gift as you continue to travel with us on this adventure of both bliss and sweat. Thank you!
LoveJoyPeaceHope,
Heatherlyn
