Dear Nudgers,
Carrie contacted me over the summer when I put out a call for guest bloggers. She shared with me that she was inspired by my 52Nudges project to start her own, which she calls “Me & My Quite Contrary Life.” I’ve since picked up ideas from her nudges, and I hope you’ll visit her website and do the same.
Meanwhile, this week she is our Guest Nudger! I will be following her lead (possibly tickling the ivories on our old piano), and I encourage you to do the same by picking up one of the joys you’ve left behind in your childhood.
Thank you, Carrie! — Kathleen
Backstory: As I was creating my own list of nudges, inspired by Kathleen’s 52Nudges, I brainstormed what activities I used to enjoy but stopped doing as an adult. Instrumental music was at the top of the list.
I started playing the flute when I was in 5th grade and continued playing regularly until my early 30s. I was in marching band and concert bands throughout high school and college (eight years total), took private lessons, played in a flute choir, and played for church and nursing homes as a soloist or with a group. My dad is a talented, life-long musician, so it was in my blood and was something I excelled at with countless hours of practice and perfectionism. Music was a big part of my life and shaped who I am today.
A serious picture from my high school band days–with the same flute I have today.
The music stopped abruptly one day about five years ago. It was a combination of factors that produced my “retirement” from playing the flute and piccolo. My flute teacher/mentor/friend Jan died suddenly of cancer several years before, and I had never completely gotten over it. I was devastated by her death, and felt I couldn’t play without her; the joy was gone. In addition, I changed churches and wanted to explore other areas of my God-given talents. I packed up my flute, my constant companion for decades, and haven’t touched it again.
…until this week.
The purpose of this nudge is to play my flute for my benefit only. I won’t be playing along with someone else or because someone asked me, but because I want to play for my enjoyment.
I have many questions going into the week: What will I play? Will I remember how to do it? What will the dog think? How will I feel as I play?