Tag: writing

Quit Punching Yourself

I remember as a toddler my playful grandfather would stand over me, wrap both of my small hands into fists and playful, marionette me into boxing my own face. Who knew this self flagellation would stick around.

I spent 36 years of my life thinking the only things worth doing were the hard things. Train for a marathon instead of going for a 10 minute walk every day. Read the text book rather than the graphic novel.

We’re taught that adversity builds character. I want more character, therefor I should seek out adversity.

You have weaknesses? Work on them. Don’t quit until they are all gone.

The idea of leaning into my strengths felt like giving up, the grit-less route. How could one possible get better by doing what they are already good at?

Here I am, close to 40 and just now realizing that sometimes “doing the work”, is failing to realize there is an easier way. I’m actually doing it right now. Writing this feels HARD, therefor it has to be good for me to do it. Not today. I’ll try again when it’s easy.

Music is Language.

I had an idea in the car on the way to school this morning. The kids usually HATE my music. Dave Brubeck, Vivaldi, Brand New. They all get a big “BOO” from the kids when I turn them on in the car. This week I’ve been listening to Mahler’s 5th Symphony and I though I would try an experiment in the car. I said, “let’s play a game. I’ll turn on a song with no lyrics and you guys tell me what you think it is about.” Here is their interpretations of each movement of this big symphony.

One: Trauermarsch – “It sounds like they are going to War.” “Something dangerous is about to happen.” “Are they in a fight?” “It sounds like they are in love.” “Is she going to miss him while he is at war?”

Two: Stürmisch bewegt, mit größter Vehemenz – “Yep, they are definitely fighting.” “I hope he doesn’t die.” “He misses her.”

Three: Scherzo. Kräftig, nicht zu schnell – “They won the fight!” “He’s coming back home to her!” “Are they going to have a baby?”

Four: Adagietto. Sehr langsam – “I think someone died.” “But also a baby was born.” “This sounds happy and sad at the same time.”

Five: Rondo-Finale. Allegro – Allegro giocoso. Frisch – “The little girl is growing up.” “It sounds like she had a baby of her own.” “The war guy and the lady are watching their grand child play in the yard.” “This is a happy ending but there is still some memories of war.”

Listen to the first minute of each of these movements and tell me music isn’t a innate language.