Yes, I know that this question is confrontational, perhaps even a little threatening, and I wouldn’t ask, but …

You really need to know.

(You don’t have to tell anyone, but YOU need to know what keeps you standing in one place.)

…

What are you afraid of?

Is it fear of failing or a fear of being judged?

A fear of starting or a fear of finishing?

A fear that people will laugh? Or that someone might find out you know less than they thought you did?

Are you afraid of having too little or too much?

Perhaps, as Seth Godin posits, you’re afraid to ship?

Or maybe, as Naomi Dunford suggests, you’re afraid to shine?

Maybe you worry that people will think you, or your ideas, are crazy (foolish, stupid, etc.)

(Maybe you’re not ready to think about what scares you. *smile*)

…

Okay. How about what makes you brave?

Maybe it’s your spouse, your family or your best friend.

Maybe it’s your lucky socks or your pet chihuahua. Maybe it’s a theme song or a daily affirmation.

If you can find that thing, person or state of being that lets you “feel the fear and do it anyway,” you’ve made a huge step.

You will be able to change your life any time you want to.

…

My “things” are my family and friends.

I quit my job and went back to music school with my family cheering me on. My friends and family applaud when I get a gig, write my newsletter or turn in a grant proposal.

And singing. I traveled to foreign countries by myself three times this past year because I wanted to sing.

Singing makes me brave.

(What about you?)

“A very wise old teacher once said: “I consider a day’s teaching wasted if we do not all have one hearty laugh.” He meant that when people laugh together, they cease to be young and old, master and pupils, jailer and prisoners. They become a single group of human beings enjoying its existence.”
– Gilbert Highet

“They may forget what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
– Carol Buchner

When you write a blog, you spend a lot of time wandering the web. Meandering online helps me come up with ideas for blog posts. Another thing that inspires me are the blogs I read.

I have found a lot of valuable, interesting, funny and just downright bizarre stuff in cyberspace. A lot of it never grows up to be a Songtaneous blog post. This post includes a sampling of things I have come across during my virtual travels.
…

Your Brain on Improv

Once again, TED allows me to procrastinate.

(My favorite part is when he raps (12’50”). *smile*)

Music Makes You Smarter?

• Musicians’ Brains Stay Sharp as They Age
• Musicians Are Probably Smarter Than The Rest Of Us