Out of the Comfort Zone

First lessson of the day...PATIENCE.  OMG the traffic was incredible exiting 109 on the Garden State Parkway and for many miles through Red Bank.  Single lanes...road construction...and she who likes to be early arrived more than half an hour late but I quickly learned that I was not the only one so we started way late - maybe call it Califormia time!!
It's a wrap now.  It is over and the day was definitely an experience!!  I am understanding that sometimes it is important to step outside of one's comfort zone to learn and grow!!  Can I say that this was a FUN experience - maybe...fun in the respect that I enjoyed learning and drumming and meeting new people.  Fun in watching Arthur facilitate...and share...and talk  and encourage.  Enlightening in understanding that we ALL - or almost all, have our doubts and insecurities.  The biggest challenge - stepping into the circle and facilitating to have the group engage.  Some people jumped right in.. George, sitting next to me - and a drummer, shared how he keeps his eyes down so he won't get picked.  Fascinating to see how facilitators picked people to keep going with their playing when others were to be stilled.  Was it because of the person or was it because of the instrument that they were playing?  I belileve it was some of each.  It did bring back memories of childhood and being the last to be picked for games and teams.  Some things stick around with you!!  Talking to another friend and she shared that she too was always the last and it brought back feelings for her...and she is a psychologist! 

I would have to say that Arthus is full of himself.  I won't use the word he said that has been used to describe him over the course of his lifetime - and he is older than I!!  I will say that beneath the fluff and bluff and self deprecating commentary is a giant teddy bear who is positive and supportive and full of love and compassion. After all, as he would say, he is from California. 
   It was amazing to meet so many of the 30 people in the room and find that they had come from California and Alberta,Canada...Boston and other points around the country for this day and to attend the Remo Health Rhythms training this weekend.  I met psychologists, speech therapists, a NASA scientist, trainers and special educators - among others.  It was good to be among them and learn.  Now, I will have to integrate the messages and teachings - and wait for Arthur's new book/s to be ready in October.

Drums...Drumming...Health Rhythms and NOW...

One Summer's Day many years ago, Bill and I were going to the Philadelphia Zoo to see what we could see.  Walking from the parking lot to the entrance, we had to go under the railroad bridge and what to my wondering eyes should appear but the coolest dude playing drums!  I was fascinated - it was about FUN and RHYTHM and just cool stuff.  Did I think I could do it...Absolutely NOT!  He invited me to site and give it a try - and I just had fun.  I could feel the beginnings of the Free Spirit releasing...and from that time on, drumming has been one of the focuses of my Journey.

What a surprise for my 60th birthday that same year to have a big box to open - and even more of a surprise to find a Purple Conga drum (still have it though I would sell it if someone wants it!)  I remember it all clearly because it was the same time I was taking the Creative Photography class.  This was definitely a subject for some of the pictures!
    

Never one to be impulsive and jump into things (right you are saying?!?  I am an extroverted introvert really), it took more years of contemplating drums and drumming until one day I read about Health Rhythms, created by Remo drum company, Dr. Barry Bittman and Christine Stevens.  Ever on the quest for self knowledge, healing and stress relief, I said to self, "WHY NOT?!"  Actually I talked three of my friends at the time into joining me and several years ago, the program/training came to the Princeton area.  We had a grand time.  I came home and did a few drum circles...and then quiet on that front BUT Roy Schryver, one of the participants shared about making drums...next step in the Journey.

Then came the "Baby Drums" because what better thing for an early childhood educator to do than do drumming with "Mommy and Me".  It's still in the thought pattern - might just come forth...soon.  Remember my Mom always said I was a sloooooooooooooow learner or maybe she said Late Bloomer. Either way - same thing.

Now my friends, it is time for the Journey/Adventure and Freeing of the Spirit to continue.  I saw an advertisement for a drumming Playshop with Arthur Hull - granddaddy of drum circles in NEW JERSEY in September - and now it is tomorrow!  I thought - nah - and why...and then I kept getting drawn back to the description of the event and the words so resonate for me - the words and the way Arthur says them in his DVD : Drum Circle Facilitation: Building Community Through Rhythm.  OMG...I have done it - I have signed up and tomorrow I travel to the Count Basie theater in Red Bank , NJ for a day of learning and drumming and - well you know how I always talk about synchronicities - that too!!  The day is about
   1. Unity within Community
   2. Sharing my Spirit
   3. Building Relationships
   4. Sharing my bliss and having FUN
   5. Facilitating as a Celebration of Life
I can no longer deny that drumming, Health Rhythms and all connected with it holds a special place in my heart.  Meet Arthur!!

Meaning, Passion, Purpose: FUN FUN FUN!!!

Find your Element!  Find Your Passion! Find Your Purpose!  You are so good at ___________(fill in the blank!~!) You have so much to share with the world.  Why don't you teach classes!  When will you do this?  Been thinking about this a lot...quiet times of refelction and meaning!  YES - I love to take pictures...and I love to make drums...and hear the sound of drumming...and now I have to add, I LOVE being a Nana!  So when I am encouraged to DO IT and asked, "What are you afraid of?"  I ponder...I listen to 'their voices' and I wonder.  Been doing that a lot lately as I can feel Fall in the air - Fall for me - and maybe for many of you - is a New Year - a time of transitions - some things die off and others come along to take their place.  So what can a girl do!?  Years ago, Bill and I sat down to write our goals and objectives.  The overarching goal had the "F" word right in it - FUN FUN FUN FUN.  If I can be of service, yet it doesn't bring me joy - then is it paying attention to my life's goal?  Nah - not really NO!

Just the other day, an email came to me from Alyssa Janney and Remo.  Arthur Hull - yes the Arthur Hull for those in the know - the granddaddy of drum circles will be doing a Playshop in Red Bank NEW JERSEY toward the end of September.  OMG!  What an opportunity.  Can we do this?  Is it too much money to spend for a day?  Then I think of the operative word - remember - FUN FUN FUN - and my heart does more than make a pitter patter...it is jumping with joy!!  My biggest goal is to let go of some of those niggling fears about not being good enough and get out there - and working with myself and others to discover their rhythms - has always been front and center in the picture - maybe it is even related to BE STILL - because IF you find your rhythm, then you can CHOOSE  to be still or get out in the middle of the circle and dance - to lead - or to be a follower...choices can seriously lead to FUN!!  So I have chosen to go and be with Remo and Arthur Hull.  Where will it lead?  Do I have to know?  All I know is that I can go and play and be free and have FUN - remember that word?  Will I teach others to be still and see?  I don't know...will I do training in Rhythm, Drumming and Relationships?  I don't know .  What I do know, is that I am allowing myself the gift of being still and discovering , truly understanding what brings JOY and LIGHTNESS and FUN to my life.  Hey - last night it was pizza with pepperoni, blue M and Ms and Almost Fab/Beatles Music - time with friends - FUN -

Now the ultimate friends - the ultimate realization of what life is all about - sitting peacefully and resting with the child of your child.  It is the ultimate gift and I would definitely add it to the definition of FUN!  Hey, I would probably put it at the top of the list!!  So Ken Robinson, Jack Canfield, and so many others...finding your element -discovering your passion...all valuable lessons...but for me, I have to say I have discovered my passion - and I CALL IT LIFE IN ALL OF ITS GLORY!!