These posts are from my Ah . . . Music to my ears: a new book contract, good book reviews, exciting news that I won a new car or the lottery. Of course, you can’t win if you don’t play. Or how about rain for California to end our four-year drought? I would be swinging from the rafters with joy if my daughter landed a permanent job and didn’t move every year. Becoming a grandmother? WOW that would be terrific. Unfortunately, I’ll have to settle for cats and dogs, but as long as my girls are healthy and happy, that’s what counts.
“Music is the shorthand of emotion.” Leo Nikolaeich Tolstoy
Stage fright can be an unnerving experience. Performance anxiety touches many of us (i.e., test takers, public speakers, athletes) who are not specifically in the public eye, but we must assert ourselves in front of others. Some train for this from childhood, like musicians who begin training on an instrument, i.e., violin that will be the focus of their life. My mother was a professional violinist and singer. Too bad her stage presence didn’t wear off on me.
“Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach it.” Salvador Dali
What I’m getting at here is that applause from the audience when I’ve said something brilliant (not) or laughter when I’ve joked, stumbled, or said something insightful, is music to my ears. Their response is the force behind my back and encourages me to continue what I’m doing and to strive to be better. Volunteering to be on panels at writing conferences is so out of my comfort zone, but I’m getting better and sometimes it’s fun.
“I think I’ve discovered the secret of life – you just hang around until you get used to it.” Charles Schulz
