Back to Singing There's a waft of autumn crunch riding the breeze and the feeling of the city cranking up again after holiday times... it's definitely back to school and back to singing with sharpened pencil tops and a satchel full of harmonies...  Here's some thoughts about making learning a tip-top adventure...   1. Permission We need to give ourselves permission to act out our dreams and visions, not look for more sensations, more phenomena, but live our strongest dreams - even if it takes a lifetime - Vijali Hamilton Every time we want to learn we have to actually allow it to happen - to give ourselves permission to grow, learn, change and take risks as part of that process.  We need to be willing to get out of our own way to enable learning to happen.  We need to be willing to make plenty of mistakes and backward steps as we move towards new ideas, schemes and projects.. and we need to give ourselves time to grow. 2. Clear Intent A true intention or belief does not need to be spoken. It is revealed through one's action. Having a clear intent is like putting an address on the envelope - it gets things places.   Intention requires tuning in to deeper motivations - our WHY -  so we can direct ourselves with clarity and elbow grease to the journey ahead.  Taking time to set clear intentions can save enormous amounts of time and energy, as it acts like a internal sat nav enabling us to be clear about what we are doing, where and with whom. 3. Space  The story goes that a Zen Master, when a rich man demanded that he teach him the way of Zen, filled a tea cup to overflowing and said    “You are like this tea cup, so full that nothing more can be added. Come back to me when the cup is empty. Come back to me with an empty mind.”   All learning requires emptying - the making of space in the our mind, heart and habits for new adventures.  To learn to sing requires a setting aside of daily distractions so we can to listen fully - both inwardly and outwardly.  Often where we are most full up is in our mental stories - the things we have been told and told ourselves about our own capacities. Learning to sing allows us to let go of the voice of that old music teacher who sent us to the back of the room when we were only 4 and couldn't get our heads round Mozart. As adults we can learn to tune ourselves up with the sweet harmonies around and within us that help us remember that everything is made of sound - from the beat of our heart to the music of the spheres and that singing is as natural as birds tweeting in trees... 4. Inner and Outer Resources Human resources are like the earth’s natural resources. They are highly diverse and often buried deep beneath the surface. They need to be discovered, refined and applied - Ken Robinson New adventures require equipment - whether its a folder for your song lyrics or a backpack for the round-the-world tour, getting the kit is all part of the process.  We also have to pack our inner knapsack with helpful qualities - patience, kindness, enthusiasm - and don't forget a bit of razzle-dazzle to keep spirits high :) Join a Global Singing Adventure Travel's promise is that tomorrow is not going to be like today - Samantha Brown I'm very excited to be setting off on autumn singing adventures with a new set of songs which will enable me sing with wonderful friends new and old at choirs, celebrate World Peace Day with One Day One Choir friends across the globe and make a splash for WaterAid at Sing for Water London.  All welcome to join me at choirs, events and singing sessions.  Whatever way you find to share your voice this September, I hope it fills your cup with fresh inspiration and allows you an outpouring of creative expression. Wishing you a spacious voyage of discovery this singing September Singing One Day One Choir with Tom Morley, Gill Manly & Jane Hanson at Black Tie White Lie Photo Jason Purple Photography