The Creative Adventure of Song

Dear Friend   The Creative Adventure of Song Adventurous April is upon us, which here in London brings a welcome sense of expansion as days grow longer and lighter. Throwing off the shackles of limitation and embarking on new singing adventures can freshen us up in any season... here's a few thoughts on how. The Wisdom of The Fool's Laughter I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll go to it laughing - Herman Melville, Moby Dick/ The Whale On our recent April Fools Day Inside Story Radio show we celebrated the magic of laughter with Croydon Comedy Festival, Laughing Yogi Joe Hoare, Shaniqua Benjamin and Shaking Hands. Amongst many insights, we discussed how laughter is gender, colour and culture blind - a song known to all which can ease the way through the unknowns of life. We also celebrated the fool/ full heartedness need to launch out with new adventures. In Tarot the Fool begins the journey of the Major Arcana with just a knapsack on his back and his faithful dog at his side. In literature, pearls of wisdom are often found amidst the comedy of fools. Learning any creative skill, including singing, requires the willingness to fall and fool around, to get messy and make mistakes and laugh lovingly with ourselves and others. Taking a Creative Perspective An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered - G.K.Chesterton Adventure is an attitude that can be cultivated - when we are willing to suspend our sense of the status quo, we expand our possibilities. Adopting an adventurous perspective and joyful inquisitiveness about life brings us a buoyancy of spirit that sees setbacks and reversals as opportunities to learn, grow, laugh and create. Singing stretches our sense of who we are and how we can express ourselves in the world. It can help us face and move beyond our anxieties, limitations and old stories, bringing a fresh outlook on life. Photos: Inside Story Radio Show Launch Party - taken by Fluid4Sight - Croydon Community Choir Spring Celebration at Matthews Yard

Adventure requires Daring-Do No, no! The adventures first, explanations take such a dreadful time - Lewis Carroll There are many wonderful theories of singing technique- yet nothing really helps us sing more than actually doing it regularly. Showing up for the adventure requires taking positive actions - turning up to choir or practicing at home. Too many questions and explanations can distract us from the task at hand - which is simply to be present to the next breath, the next note and give it all we've got in this particular moment. The Rewards of Risk-Taking Go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is - Jimmy Carter The benefits of the singing adventure have been documented by artists and scientists alike throughout the ages (see my article on Singing Therapy for The Croydon Citizen) From mood raising vibrations to vitality restoring rhythms, singing nourishes us from the inside out. The ripples of our own adventures reach out to others in our circles and beyond. As James Clear points out a world with more creative, adventurous people is a happier world - Make more art. Your health and happiness will improve and we'll all be better off for it. Wishing you an Adventurous April NEW WEBSITE LAUNCH Hooray!!! The new website is now up and running and has been built with love and dedication by Fluid4Sight Do Come Over for a Look & Listen and leave a message in the Guestbook www.therosewindow.org