Skip to main content

Year Two, Day 308: Noch Einmal

My fruit of the spirit today was "joy".  Perfect. Thursday is one of my favorite days!

Every Thursday afternoon I teach a whole neighborhood of boys, living on the same street.  Including one dad.  He is from Germany.  He was working very diligently on a piece he is preparing for my upcoming student recital in June.

I love the fact that I have an adult student that performs.  Most of them shake their heads in horror when I offer them the opportunity.

Can't say that I blame them. I suffered horrendous stage fright as a kid.
But I outgrew it. By performing often.  Well, I mostly outgrew it. I still get a little nervous. But then, I get nervous about many things.

Anyway, today I was working with my adult student.  One passage was giving him grief. So, I asked him to repeat it.  Again and again. Then, suddenly the German phrase "Noch Einmal!" just came out of my mouth!

He looked at me, startled. And then laughed.

"Is that how you say 'once again' in German?", I asked.

"Ja!", he said.

So the rest of the lesson, when I wanted him to repeat a phrase, I said, "Noch einmal!"

Some things just sound better in German. Like commands!

I studied German in high school and college.  My dad lived in Germany and Austria as a child. His dad, my grandfather was a bandleader in the Army.

So, we had a bit of German spoken in the house growing up.

When my kids were little, I threw a few German words in for fun.

Even now, when I want to check in with my adult children I text the word, "Wo?"

Which means "where".

But I was thinking about the concept of repeating after our lesson.  I told him that the old school, yet somewhat boring technique of repetition really is a good tool for learning.

And I have found this works in all areas of life, even in building relationships.  Especially work relationships.

Now that I am working in an office again, specifically a church, I am being challenged by interpersonal relationships.

I am particularly sensitive to criticism. Especially when it comes from an older, dominant male. In particularly when a certain "tone" of voice is used.  Condescending comes to mind.

There have been a few incidences.  But today, I am proud of myself. I did not repeat old patterns of feel wounded, retreating, justifying and feeling sorry for myself.

I rose above! And in so doing, the man in question seemed to cheer up. Remarkable!  I heard his criticism, admitted he had a good point, remedied the situation and smiling proudly, produced the results. I admitted to him that I this job was humbling me. But that I was learning. I was careful with my own tone of voice, to stay authentic, yet kind and light.

I am fortunate in my teaching. I am in charge, no boss. And it has always been important to me to show mutual respect.  I keep my tone kind and light. I am supportive.  Yes, I am teaching music, but there is a relationship we are building.

And I truly care about all my students and their families.  I cannot remember a recent time when any of us has spoken harshly or condescendingly.

Good life lessons here.

And I hope to keep repeating them.

Noch Einmal!

P.S. Speaking of repetition, I am proud to say, even though I am still dragging and snuffly, I have started my morning on the elliptical machine for the last two days!

For only about 10 minutes, but as I tell my students, consistency is key.  Need to get back to putting exercise as a priority in my day.  I know I will feel better, but getting there...argg!



I hope to report back tomorrow, that I actually made it to the gym! But foremost on my agenda is a trip to my storage unit to organize and find a library book. Eh-hem. Most embarrassing. I have a book due in a week and I cannot find it anywhere. I fear it was packed and put in storage. But it is all good. I got a little frantic with my packing and did not organize as well as I had planned.  My friend and piano student lent me the book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.

Most inspired am I!  Organizing my life, cleaning out my email box, and purging negative thoughts.  I will be a new woman soon. In time for Easter!  Perfect timing. And maybe soon we shall have some sunshine for more than a day.  One can only hope!

Happy Thursday!

Zita




Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Year Three, Day 58: Marilyn Monroe's Measurements

Day 24 of daily hooping. I am determined to shrink these abs, if it is the last thing I do! Perhaps I should have that written on my tombstone: "Here lies Zita". Flat abs at last!! Well I certainly hope to attain my flat abs goal BEFORE I am dead and gone! Today's video was another rush job. But I downloaded some fun tunes to my Kindle last night.  I enjoyed my hoop session more listening to the Punjabi music. It reminded me of the "Maritime Bhangra Dancers".  If you haven't heard of them, you should look them up. They never fail to put a smile on my face! I am not smiling so much looking at this video. My hooping skills have improved a bit, but that menopot has got to go! After my hoop session, I walked 3/4 mile to the bus stop. I was planning on attending the 10:00 a.m. Mass at the Grotto, but it was cutting it close. Plus, I was feeling the need for a Starbucks iced tea.  Today was Iced Passionfruit/Black Tea, no sugar whatsoever.   The ic...

Year Two, Day 201: "I"

Before my first meeting with "I" I had a wonderful first date last night! We had a lot on common. The conversation flowed easily. We laughed. It was so lovely, that I think I shall not blog about him. Not yet anyway. I am just going to call him "I". I like I. 😉 Today was a long, wonderful family day. Went to church with my daughter and son-in-law. Very powerful, uplifting service. After that we went to the horse races. Had a blast. Broke even. Essentially had a free lunch and four hours of entertainment. After the horses, we had yet another Thanksgiving dinner at my niece's place. It was her first turkey. It was amazing! But thank God I had enough willpower to resist the pie! Tomorrow I go for my first physical therapy appointment. Tuesday it is back to the gym!! Happy Sunday!

Year Three, Day 110: I Like Change, But How Do I Help the Suffering?

I woke up in a bit of a panic this morning. I had planned on getting to the track by 6:30 a.m., because I thought today was the first day of school. You see, the public is not allowed to use the track when school is in session. Understandably so. But alas, I overslept! I still headed out with my hoop, hoping it was before school hours at 7:30 a.m. And I breathed a sigh of relief. The school looked vacant. And only one solitary jogger with her solitary dog was present. I got busy in case the kids were due to arrive. Got a nice hoop workout in. No sign of children as I walked back to the house. So I did what I should have done in advance. I consulted Google. And most happy am I - North Clackamas School District does not start back to school until September 6th! Portland Public Schools start today. But the elementary school next door to the track lists "student hours" as 7:45 - 2:00 p.m. So I really am going to have to get an earlier start next week. I am aiming...