Monday, June 29, 2015

Month Long Trip

I'm sitting in my favorite coffee shop, thinking about all the things I should/need to accomplish yet before I go to Russia tomorrow.  

Let me start with the first clause of that sentence: My favorite coffee shop in this area is how I should qualify it.  I have another favorite coffee shop in southern California.  And what does this tell me?  It tells me that no matter where I go, I will always find a community I enjoy being a part of.  This is important, because I believe it is partly my calling to help create and guide community.  I have always felt this.  I want people to feel welcome and loved.  It just so happens that my career field (choirs!) is one that creates community.  And I have been a part of ensembles that create amazing community... and create bad community.  My goal is always to create a support, positive community of people coming together and doing "good" things- spreading joy and love through music.  And in a tiny way, finding a coffee shop I frequent is a way for me to develop community for myself.  This happens in many other places too, but there is something very special about places where people gather.  I will find a coffee shop in Omaha.  And I will create and promote a support community among my choirs.

Next thought in the opening sentence: All the things I need to or should accomplish!  Sometimes, I joke around with a friend of mine about "we can do all the things!"  We laugh about this, but in a way, this is how we really feel.  We believe we can accomplish all the things- but it also puts a large amount of pressure on us.  There are little things I have to do today to finishing preparing for my trip, but none of them will ruin my trip if I don't get them done.  And it's nice to be at that point.

And the last bit of the opening sentence: I go to Russia tomorrow.  It is going to be an excellent trip.  I plan on seeing ensembles.  Aside from my research, I am very excited about listening to music in Russia.  What an amazing opportunity!  And this goes to a larger point: music is music (perhaps that is like saying "love is love").  Music is likely to be a unifying force all over the world.  And I am ready for good music!

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