Heraclitus by Johannes Moreelse. The image depicts him as “the weeping philosopher”
It’s Good to Remember…
It’s good to remember why you are doing what you do.
It’s good to remember why you’re passionate about what you do.
It’s good to remember what’s possible for the world in pursuing your inspirations.
But,
It’s never completely handled. At least, not for me. In an instant, I can forget the sheer joy, pleasure, and fulfilment I receive from contributing my music to people and then seeing the difference it makes for them. In an instant, the less lofty lower rungs of existence – survival, paying bills, assuring shelter – can rear their ugly heads. In many places on this planet, survival IS the name of the game, but here in Canada most of us enjoy the luxury of living for more than survival and I forget that.
Yesterday, at our Quiet Hearts journey in a musical oasis, we seemed to slide back down to the old days. After positive audience growth, we had just 12 people in attendance. At the end, I got the news that donations were poor. With less than $55 contributed and half going to the church, that left us three musicians with a paltry $9 each. Suddenly, rent loomed large. Just 6 days away and not quite covered. Suddenly, down into the dumps of basic survival I rushed and I was a little pissed off at that moment too. The same old tired questions burgeoned in my mind like a skipping record. Am I deluding myself? Is this not as magical as it seems to us? Will it never get better? Will we only be providing this for a tiny number of people forever? Is this as good as it gets?
Then Donna and Cheryl, who were graciously and generously assisting us at the door (for $0) shared some news that changed everything. The news instantly reconnected me to purpose and passion and left me profoundly fulfilled and moved.
What was the news?
Several minutes after we commenced the music, a gentleman in his 60’s arrived. With him was his elderly father, who was a patient next door at St Paul’s Hospital. His father seemed quite confused and Donna suspected he was suffering from dementia. The son had a small window of time to take his father on a respite outside the hospital. They had no idea what they were coming too. Donna and Cheryl explained what it was and so they went into the Sanctuary and listened for about 20 minutes. When they came back out, the son was astounded. He said what they experienced was amazing. The music made such an impact on both him and his father. He knew it had made an impact on his father because, when he turned to look at his father during the performance, he was shocked to see tears falling from his eyes. He had never seen his father do this.
Sometimes words are not enough. This is where the magic of music comes in. Sometimes, music is the doorway in. Sometimes music is the thing that can move past the confusion, the absence of communication and understanding, and connect with someone in trouble or seemingly unconnected to the world.
I’m so grateful that man and his father came and I’m so glad Donna and Cheryl were there to witness and share what happened. If they hadn’t been there, we would never have known and I would likely have gone home pissed off and living in the lower rungs of existence.
It’s good to remember…
My world transformed in an instant.
Our next Quiet Hearts is Wednesday, October 1 from 4:30 to 5:45 at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church (Nelson & Burrard)
With gratitude,
Craig
