Skip to main content

Year Three, Day 99: Simple Gifts

What I am feeling grateful for today:

Dinner with son last night.

My daughter.

My granddaughter - coming soon!

Students eager to learn.

Friends wanting to play music with me.

Moving with strength, absence of pain.

Clear mind. Clear lungs.

Love of family, friends, life.

A cool summer breeze.

God.

Music.

Speaking of which, I am at chamber music rehearsal. I am listening to a beautiful piece being played by a cellist, violinist and flautist. Trio #2 by Hiroshi. We are in the church I teach at on Saturday. It gets very hot in here. I have the side door open, box fan blowing slightly cooler early afternoon air into the sanctuary. I played the first three Russian folk songs with cello and voice. They asked me to fill in for their regular pianist who is on vacation. I've played with them before. The vocalist is my friend. I was having anxiety earlier. Hot church, worried about way too many things beyond my control. Wishing I had the evening free to do my library blogging, hit the gym, go sit and read at Starbucks with an iced tea. My usual comfortable routine.

But then suddenly everything changed. The music returned and touched something that had almost died inside. I am filled with joy. My earlier funky mood has dissipated, like smoke in the air. My anxieties forgotten.

I need to play more music. Not want.

Need.

I must sound insane. I have been in this place far too many times.

Earlier I was tense and anxious. I was worrying about finances, and the logistics of adding caring for my new grandbaby into my schedule. Amongst many other things beyond my control.

I realize now that I did not start day with prayer.

When will I learn?

Maybe God sent the music. To remind me to look up, to let go of earthly concerns. To let myself be elevated to a higher realm.

I am inspired. I see my path more clearly.

I do love teaching. But now that I am playing again, I see that I need to make room for music. I am thinking perhaps another church pianist job.

Now that I am healthier in many ways, I think I am ready to put myself out there again. Older, and hopefully humbler and wiser than before.

I sat down earlier and practiced a few pieces for an upcoming church pianist sub gig at a Presbyterian church.

I decided on Simple Gifts as a postlude.

I thought I'd share my practice with you. I love this arrangement:






The lyrics for the hymn "Simple Gifts" were written by Joseph Brackett (1797-1882), a Shaker. The tune was later made famous by Aaron Copeland. And there have been many arrangements.

The original song just had one lovely verse:

"Tis a gift to be simple, 'tis a gift to be free
'Tis a gift to come down where I ought to be
And when I am in the place just right
I will be in the valley of love and delight
When true simplicity is gained
To bow and to bend I will not be ashamed
To turn, to turn will be my delight
'Til by turning, turning, I come 'round right".


Simplicity is a theme I keep returning to in my life. And it is my theme for today as I count my blessings and music my way out of a funky mood.

Music. Prayer. Exercise. Healthy food. Hard work. Family. And a good night's sleep.

These are life's simple gifts. And all too often taken for granted.
BY
Happy Saturday.

Talk to you tomorrow.

Love and blessings,

Zita

p.s. Today was day 65 of my daily hooping project!





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 347: My Big Fat Greek Salad!!

I have perfected the art of making a Greek salad!  I have made two huge bowls in the last week. My kinds rave. Essentially the secret is f vegetables , good feta cheese, Greek olives and a homemade dressing made with light, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, red wine vinegar,  and oregano. Here is my recipe: MY BIG FAT GREEK SALAD Serves 4 hungry adults 4 cups greens (I used a "spring mix" from Fred Meyer) 2 cucumbers 6 roma tomatoes one small red onion 1 cup cubed feta cheese 1 cup Greek olives (pitted) Get out a big bowl. Peel a clove of garlic, cut in half and rub it over the interior of the bowl.  Wash the lettuce if it is not prewashed and packaged like mine was.  Dry the leaves, and tear into bite sized pieces. Throw into the big bowl. Note: Romaine lettuce is good to include in the mix, because it is hearty. Peel the cucumbers and dice. Add to bowl. Cut the roma tomatoes in half and squeeze out the seeds (otherwise they make th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Year Two, Day 307: Chasing Away The Gloomy Weather...with Music and a Smile! :)

It seems to me that most of the city is depressed, tired and sick. I still have my low grade snuffly nose, along with sneezing, and itching eyes.  Low energy. It is nice to know I am not the only one. Misery loves company, don't you know! Even through the gloom, I had an enjoyable day.  I told myself several times that I really am a lucky woman. My kids are grown, I'm going to be a GRANDMA, and I love my work. My church job is a nice secure little job and it seems I am quite needed there.  I am still learning the ropes. But I am enjoying it. Meeting new people. And best of all, I have only a 1 1/2 minute commute (by foot!). I have a cozy little room in a household full of wonderful laid back people.  People who love animals and music. But best of all, my afternoons are filled with music. I basically get on the bus and travel about town, sitting at pianos, visiting with students, who are like my family. We talk. They play the piano for me. I offer pointe...
Post a Comment
Read more

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...
Post a Comment
Read more