LIVING IN THE PRESENT

In life our only true reality exists in the present moment, but unfortunately many of us are so busy planning for tomorrow that we find it hard to live in the now. In order to remain honest in expression and continue growing artistically, one must live in a state of present awareness.

Musical expression is all about being in the moment: a feeling can suddenly change, a mood escalate, and a piece of music can alter even journey to a totally new dimension. This adventurous approach to creative release can only occur, however, if one is letting go of preconceived ideas to give way to spontaneous emotions experienced in the moment. That is what creativity is: letting go of ideas and emotions while being completely immersed in the present.

In an educational process it is essential that a student allow for change, for all artistic growth is born of change. However, if one resists and remains stuck in the familiar, growth will cease to continue. Many of my students have had a hard time accepting their sound in the beginning stages of development and kept focusing on an ideal voice that they aspired to acquiring. It is extremely difficult to proceed toward musical development when your thoughts are directed in the future; one must learn to view progress on a day to day, week to week basis. When an artist is more fully aware, he* can accept his growth and artistic development and deal directly with the various fears and control issues that may block his path to empowerment.

Taking risks is essential in any form of free expression, and that experience is one of spontaneity and awareness. When you live life in the present you can experience more fulfillment. The world expands with every new moment and life becomes more of an adventure to be enjoyed and discovered. Being in the present awareness also means feeling your feelings; joy and sorrow, excitement and pain, comfort and fear, anger and love. Allowing room to accept all emotions in life will help to cultivate the expansion of the soul--the fertile ground for all creativity.

Let go and behold the beauty of the moment.

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© Nanette Natal 1998

*(or she--pronouns used at random).