It’s so inspiring to hear of the cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason (of Meghan & Harry’s Royal Wedding fame) to be going back to study after performing at that extravagant wedding. I feel now inspired to pursue both music and study but I’ll have to make time. I used to be part of a community orchestra as cellist ( and earlier as saxophonist) till Covid hit home. I’m busy now with full time work (typing) so my fingers are otherwise occupied and my arms tired at the days end. I would like to go back. The orchestra members say they keep a chair out for me waiting till I return. There’s nothing better than feeling wanted and part of the music flow & ebb. Ps. I play just for the term to feel with and play the music week by week is fun however I’ve got to work up to concert standard where I’m brave enough to play when a crowd is watching, but also to bother enough about it so that competing events in my calendar can be missed as I want to play the music enough. Music can change the feel of a place and of a relationship. I want to include music when I’m cooking or socialising for instance.
Quality choices and books
I love books. I prefer good books well written. The ones that currently interest me have either won book awards or are on a reading list for a uni course. In order to make decisions about how to spend my time I need to cope with the fear of missing out (FOMO). Will need to read The Freedom of Missing Out by Michael Rossmann SJ (thanks to my CLC leader Michael for this link to Audible)
Suburban plants on my waltzes
As you well know there are some exquisite plants to be viewed when walking through the suburban streets. However, here is a reminder of nature’s beauty when we aren’t able to go out and view it, due to our timetable or the weather. Here are a few images of nature to contemplate on:
Seedlings to plant, then to water
Today I was inspired by an article I read in ABC News online about planting seedlings for mental health (albeit in Tasmania). So I dug up some seedling gum trees that were growing rampant in my driveway and potted them in individual pots. These may later be distributed to those I know of who have space in their garden and desire a shady gum tree. They’re probably Blue gum as there is a large parent Blue Gum tree nearby. Today just might inspire me to be a more environmentally aware person in general. PS. I realised not all trees are good to plant as some really tall Blue gums are termed in the country ‘widowers’ and have a history of being cut down as they tend to fall on people and injure them. These gums I was growing are such a type!
The Matrix Resurrections (2021) was about dreams …
You mean Dreams that Come True?”
Carrie- Anne Moss to Keanu Reeves in the above movie, the Matrix series’ final movie. I like movie soundtracks that move me in some way that’s positive. This is upbeat.
Art resulting from a Jesuit art/spirituality seminar
Senses in art – This is about my sense memories in my younger years. This was explored at a JISA retreat in July 2021.
‘Higher Power’ By Coldplay
Higher Power, Coldplay’s latest productionis a forward-looking song that I think sits well with the Meditation slant of my blog that I have talked about on prior posts. Higher Power brings to mind words like Spirituality, trust and relationship with the Almighty. I feel this song brings confidence into the ‘you’ or other that the song refers to. This ‘you’ whom the song addresses may represent each one of us who may strive to represent parts of the Higher Power to those meet. Hopefulness and lightness of step are echoed in Coldplay’s latest song of 4 days ago (~9/06/2021) The videoclip looks to be of another world, say Mars, where strangeness and exquisite eye-catching ‘alien’ sense of ‘the other’ links what might be feared as the ‘alien figure which is feared for it is unknown’ with praise, flow, peace and order. The dance moves have spectacular aerials and costumes scintillating.
Meditations and reflections
Christian Meditation groups I have been part of that have proven to be of solace in the hard times as well as providing insight and reflection in the good times. In particular daily Jesuit reflections in the form of the Examen are great.
Meditation music
Massenet’s meditation piece eg. for violin and harp is so calming. I recall the expression on my grandparents faces when my sisters played it. Apart from Massenet’s Meditation piece above, regular meditation can clear and prime the mind for having the best day. Ps. My bro James also plays this on the cello!