Day 12 - Discipline of Rituals
I caught three words on the radio this afternoon, totally unaware of the context or who spoke them but they were, “…discipline of rituals.” They couldn’t be more fitting as I made my way up along the shore highway to Cheverie. This is a running theme for productivity in my life. I am sentimental and I thrive in routine. The entire impetus for the 90 days was that as February (2019) dawned on me I realized I hadn’t taken a day off since October 19th (2018). That happens to be my birthday ritual I have set aside for recording the start of a new Volume of WANDARIAN music. I’ve done that for three years running and aim to keep that going. If I could work my farm job tending large animals so consistently, surely I could perform music with the same steadfast rigor. The two activities are distinct, but both are passions that feed into one another. I am incredibly fortunate for both gifts. The husbandry grounds me, brings me into the present moment and enables emotional awareness through bonds I’ve developed with each animal. Pure spirits that take a lot of muscle and energy to tend. Keeps my body active, my mind free to wander, my soul replenished and my spirit free. Without fail, I always feel better after the day’s chores are complete.
This four directional balancing act (mind, body, spirit and soul) comes from a special book, more of a life guide I recommend for anyone open, The Sacred Tree. It has tools that if received and practiced bring about awareness, wisdom, love and respect into this world. I cannot recommend it enough.
Without knowing it, the 90 day mission has quickly become a ritual. It takes sacrifice, but so did learning the instrument in the first place as does working on a farm. With sacrifice comes appreciation and reward. I love playing in this space for it creates a sense of malleability upon the audience. Placing performer and listener on equal footing to hear the sounds as they escape from the guitar and enliven the different areas, in and around the structure.
I thought about mothers everyone and enjoyed playing with that intent.
