Here Comes the Sun

Friday night, after another fine day teaching kids, my old friend and her family picked me up and we went downtown to hear the Toronto Symphony play Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. It was an unusual concert, as a man who does a Song Explorer podcast had the conductor play excerpts and give some background information as to what was happening. Not dissimilar to Leonard Bernstein’s Young People’s Concerts. Nicely done and interesting to go back into this piece by Stravinsky. At one point, I just sat in awe that one person could create a work of art like this, deciding each and every note that needed to be played and how and when and in company with whom— for 45 minutes! Notes that didn’t fall into any simple pre-ordained style, but each one carefully chosen. Extraordinary! 

 

Then all the expertise on that stage, a lifetime of practice from the 30 plus players to bring it all to life and instruments meticulously built, crafted and cared for. If we step back in moments like this and truly appreciate the exceptional gift of a human incarnation to so intelligently create, imagine, master such things using the height of our intellectually capability, our capacity to feel in 50 shades of so many colors, our physical dexterity to create technological wonders from the pencil to the super-computer, we would stop taking for granted the responsibility of having such powers. And being who I am and thinking as I think, I just can’t help but be yet again disgusted down to my bone marrow of how such capability is being wasted and trampled on by that clown and his cronies who represents the lowest low of intelligence, feeling and physical grace. And the simply unbelievable fact of so many supporting that as the model to aspire to. Aaargh!!!!

 

But those were just passing thoughts and I was left mostly with determination to renew my part in crafting the best of our human incarnation in the kids—and adults— I teach. While also renewing my vows to reach higher in myself. 

 

Meanwhile, after five grey, cloudy, cold and rainy days in Toronto, the sun made its welcome appearance and joy of all joys, I went out walking with my friend in some 50 degree (instead of 35) weather, soaking in the sun’s light and warmth. That night, a barbecue dinner with friends that included great food, jokes, magic tricks, much laughter and some musical sharing. 

 

Tomorrow is the solar eclipse. Can you guess the title for my next post?