Last Week.

Last week has been the hardest of the semester so far.  I anticipate that it will go on as the hardest week of the entire semester, and all future weeks will breathe a sigh of relief.

It was not a "bad" week.  In fact, it was productive.  It was full of music.  It was rewarding and inspiring.  However, I also did not get to see my family as much.  I gave and gave and gave energy and never fully recharged to 100%.  

Last week I had three clinics.  Two of those clinics ended with a concert.  Plus, I had a concert with my own students.  So, three clinics and three concerts.  Like I said, full of music. Full of learning.  

Here are my two important take aways from last week:

1) It's important not to over schedule.  Of course, right?  But it has to be intentional.  Sure, I can say "Oh, it'll be hard, but I can do it."  However, do I really want to do that to myself?  I finished up my third clinic Saturday around 12:30 PM.  Around 11:50 AM, I glanced at the clock and felt my energy draining more quickly than it had all week.  Today (Sunday), I decided not to do any work for my job.  While that was good, I'm sitting here at 10 PM on a Sunday night and I recognize that I am still not 100% charged.  Maybe 75%.  Maybe.

2) Music.  Music, music, music.  What made this week so inspiring is that it was all about music (and teaching).  I was able to focus on the music.  Create music.  Lead music.  Teach music.  I conducted four separate sets of music for four different choirs.  I was swimming in music.  It was wonderful.  Administrative things always get in the way of music.  And while there is a time and a place for administrative (of course), I definitely need more time in my music.  I must make time for music.  I am a better teacher, a better musician for it.  

So now I am off to bed.  I have plans to score study for an hour and a half tomorrow morning.  I don't know if I'll be at 100% charged tomorrow morning, but I certainly will know how to focus to be inspired throughout the week.