"Practice only on the days you eat"

Is it just me, or do we all have things that we should be practicing and for what ever reasons just simply don’t? More than just a daily exercise or cutting out the empty calories….but practicing what nurtures our spirit. Perhaps it is because I am a musician, daily practice is something I understand. I have seen pianists and violinists occupy college practice rooms for hours and hours. I have heard stories of James Levine, the conductor of the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, going days without sleeping while working on his music. History is full of the passionate biographies of great musicians… and the one thing they all had in common was daily dedication.

Now, I could always get ready for a show. I would go from cold to hot…from famine to feast. The performance contract would eradicate my reluctance to spend time alone pounding out notes. The thought of delivering a dynamic message of the show or song would fill me with energy and focus. Someone else gave me a goal and I was going to meet it…100%. In the scrabble I sought the quick fixes, used smoke and mirrors and got by with getting by. I believe I have talent but my daily actions showed no respect for that talent. The limited range of my resume verifies that. The amazing thing is it took me moving to Hoonah to change that.
I knew that to survive here, I needed to bring something familiar with me. I shipped sheet music, translation books, and reference guides and opera scores as soon as I knew Andrew and I were moving. I had to view my time in Hoonah as a music retreat…a sabbatical of sorts. I made a renewed commitment to my self and my music. I crossed my fingers and hoped I could find a place to sing and I did.
Everyday at 9:45 am I walk a few short blocks to the high school. The secretary opens the music room. Hanging on Mr. Hutton’s side wall there is a sign that reads “Practice only on the days you eat”. Great advice I thought…so I got to it. I spend one hour practicing my voice and one hour practicing piano. Then it’s lunch time. (No one can say I don’t know how to follow the rules) It is far from passionate dedication but it is a huge improvement for me. I am learning the meaning of consistency. A crucial attribute when honing a craft.
Like a writer who shows up to the laptop to compose no matter the circumstances…I show up…without a shower, in miss match clothes, or baseball hat. I have cried through some warm-up sessions or while playing Moonlight Sonata (Dad’s favorite piece). I have struggled through the same two measures of music for three days in a row. I have clapped out odd rhythms (cursed Samuel Barber) and worked my high C until I drew a crowd of high school students not really understanding what on Earth I was doing or why :)
Tending to these details may seem obvious to some…but I have been so distracted by life that I missed that cue card. I have been so fearful of being alone while working on goal for nobody but myself I didn’t know how much fun and satisfaction I was missing. I had no idea how happy I would be. Today, I am breaking through barriers. I am working through the fear of doing it wrong. I am singing songs I have wanted to sing since high school. I am walking my talk. I show up. Leave the judge at the door. Listen to what God is whispering . And practicing only on the days I eat. This is the best diet I have ever been on.