Thanks

I've written about being thankful and gratitude before.  It's something I think the world can use more of, in our daily lives, in our relationships, in everything.

So whether or not you do it out loud, I want you to go to your next rehearsal and thank the instructors for helping you.  Thank them for being there for you, giving you their time and attention in order to make you a better artist.

Thank the people who give you a space to practice in, whether it's a roomy studio or a noisy parking structure.

Thank the students that come to practice with you, for you.  Thank them for loving the art form so much that they make your group possible.

Thank your audience (even if they're not actually there at the time) for coming to support you, see you, enjoy your art.

I'm sure you can think of others to thank, but it might start sounding like an Academy Awards speech where they turn up the music to get you off stage!  There are funders, presenters, committees, relatives, friends, etc.

It's easy to get caught up in our own concerns, worries, and issues, so sometimes giving thanks is a good way to put things in perspective and be grateful for all the things other people do to make your art - whatever it may be - possible.

And of course, thanks to all of you who read my posts, my ramblings, who ask for advice and challenge me to be a better artist in the process!