Today, I Confess: This is Not Real.
"This is going to sound really weird... but I don't feel like any of this is real. For as much time as I spend using technology, I have never thought of my life as being electronic. It's just electrons flying through the air."
When Jason Sifford first spoke these words to me as we recorded Episode 220, I had no idea what an earworm his words would become.
Truly, I've heard Jason's voice in my head saying, "I don't feel like any of this is real." more times than I can count.
Of course, the internet itself is real. It has transformed almost every part of our lives in beautiful and terrible ways.
...but it's the areas left untouched by cyberspace that offer the most genuine (re: REAL) experiences.
This is beginning to feel like one of those Life Lessons I am destined to keep re-learning. Time and time again this year I've been reminded how rare it is to be fully present in an experience.
Rejecting the temptation to capture every moment is increasingly more important to a satisfying human existence.
It's one of the reasons I feel conflicted about capturing my teaching on video. I want to share the magic that's happening inside my studio walls, but it is next-to-impossible to catch the genuine experience on a device.
You know it's true: that record button changes things.
Maybe this is why I will do anything to avoid gigs that require me to make recordings. I love the energy of live performance, but the recording process? Ugh. I hate everything about it. Maybe it's just not REAL enough for me. 🤷♀️
In a world that is plagued with technological distractions, I am convinced this is yet another reason why our work is becoming MORE valuable to society.
How many times during our students' week do they sit across from someone for 30+ minutes, giving and receiving full attention? In many cases, we are likely the only person they share that kind of experience with on a regular basis.
...and, if we are smart, we will pay attention to this. 🧐
The rarity of direct interactions and undivided attention should play a part in the lesson plans we make and the tuition rates we charge.
But hear me: It's not just our students who benefit from this arrangement. We are fortunate to work in careers that involve (many) hours of authentic connections and unfiltered reality each week.
Our online lives provide entertainment and limited opportunities for connection, but I am counting my blessings to work in a profession that is so blatantly real.
My human experience is heightened by the fact that I have a front row seat to struggle, epiphany, laughter, and play. I don't want to take any of this for granted.
Perhaps this is a reminder you needed today as well?
AND: Speaking of Play!
I received the loveliest responses to last week's Confession about my renewed obsession with PLAY.
Teacher Friend, Kristen, replied and said, "Maybe someday you could offer your full presentation as a course we could purchase."
Well, Kristen, you read my mind. 😄
This week, I began working on recording a 50+ minute version of my latest presentation, The Paradox of Play: Taking Fun Seriously.
As I said last week: I think the answers to our 21st Century Music Teacher Woes are found in research around the Science of Play. I truly do.
It's more important than ever that (1) Yes, we take our work seriously, but (2) we remember our work is to help people find their play.
The best news of all? Work and Play are not mutually-exclusive. In fact, they pair quite well together.
And THAT'S what I'm guiding you through in this material.
The Paradox of Play will release on August 1st (including a LIVE watch party!), but I've set up a pre-sale page for those wanting a discounted presale rate.
The August 1st release will feature 50+ minutes of engaging video instruction, as well as applicable materials and resources for further study.
...if you're ready to get SERIOUS about PLAY, this is the low-stakes investment for you.
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That's all I have for today, friends! I hope today's Confession helped you appreciate the unique amounts of unfiltered humanity we experience every day.
🥂 Cheers to reality: May it be as true as we believe it to be. 🥂