Author Archives: Susan Featro

Back to School: Reflecting on Change

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Tomorrow will be the first day of school for many students and teachers.  This is a time of year that comes with mixed feelings for many.  While students, parents, and teachers don’t want to say “good-bye” to the carefree days of summer, the return to a routine schedule feels good in some ways…and then there are the Friday night football games, the fall craft fairs, apple pies, and the comfort of a warm sweatshirt on a cool night.

 

This will be a change, and ready or not, it’s here.  Change is often resisted, yet we usually know that we need change in order to keep moving and growing.  Change means letting go of one thing and allowing something else to take its place.  The ‘letting go’ is important, because it allows room for something new.  Beginnings can make us nervous;  we get anxious about those unknowns ahead.  Yet, beginnings are also a refreshing opportunity to start fresh.

 

I am at a period in my life where change seems to be the only constant.  I am learning through the uncertainty that the unknowns can be embraced.  I am learning to surrender, and I am learning that it feels good to surrender.  By nature, I like to feel “in control” of things.  But that “control” is only an illusion.  Any moment, things can change in a split second…or they might stay how they are for longer than we think.  We have no answers, and if we spend all of our time asking questions, we miss the brilliance of the present moment.  So going into this year, I’m not thinking too far ahead.  I’m not worrying if I’ll be able to keep up with the new demands of this year.  I’m also not fretting over the things I didn’t fit into my summer…those projects I said I’d get to that never made it into the hours of June, July, and August.  Instead, I’m embracing the present moment, embracing the change, and staying open to noticing how it is all feeling for me.  And right now…I’m noticing that I don’t feel nervous at all.

Living in Harmony

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“He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.” ~ Marcus Aurelius

 

How can I live in harmony with myself today?  How can you live in harmony with yourself today?

 

Those are big questions to consider.  And I think these questions lead to more questions that must be asked.  Thinking about this quote makes me question and assess what I am doing and why I am doing it…the motivation behind my actions.  Looking at each decision I’ve made and seeing what led me to make that decision…whether it is a relatively minor decision about what/when to eat or a major decision about a career choice or a relationship.  I’m allowing everything to be open to questioning.

 

Usually, I’m finding that a combination of motives is behind each of my actions.  For example, I might choose to eat something because I’m hungry and because I like the taste of that food and because I’m with a friend who is ready for lunch.  Behind those bigger decisions in life, there is also usually a combination of motives.

 

I believe that in order to live in harmony with myself, I must continue to reflect on what I’m doing and why I’m doing it.  If I find out that I am motivated by honest and legitimate intentions, then it affirms that I am living in harmony when carrying out that action.  If I find that entanglements are feeding one of my decisions, then I am probably off-base and living out of harmony with myself and the universe.

 

As I go through this process, I’m finding some of both.  I’m finding some areas in which I’m very clear that I’m right on – in complete alignment.  These actions feel like they have come straight from my core.  In other areas, I know that I have strayed.  In those instances, I need to gently redirect myself so that I can make my way back to harmony.

 

This work is intense…and wonderful.  In today’s society, we’re often in such a rush to move on to the next thing that we just do, do, do and don’t stop to think about why we’re doing what we’re doing.  This new practice is slowing me down…in a good way.  I like the sound of slow and intentional harmonies.

Thank You

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If the only prayer you said in your whole life was “thank you,” that would suffice.
~ Meister Eckhart

 

So…thank you.  In this blog post, I offer my thanks to YOU.

 

As an artist, I want to say “thank you” to those who come out to hear me perform, to those who buy my CDs, to those who support my creative endeavors.  Musicians have a desire to be heard, a desire to share our songs with others, and you have made that possible for me.

 

When I perform in front of an audience, I feel alive, and I feel an incredible human-to-human connection.  I see it as a cycle:  I send out energy and inspiration to the audience in the form of my notes and rhythms and creative expressions;  I get it back from the audience as you smile, are moved to tears, dance in the aisles (at some performances!), and applaud to let me know that you are enjoying my music.  This continues as an exchange of energy, and it often builds throughout a performance.

 

I also feel uplifted when I know that someone has enjoyed or is enjoying my CD.  I am moved upon hearing that my CD is bringing clarity and direction to someone in a time of confusion, is providing a delightful background at a family gathering, is offering peace and hope when someone is stressed to the max, is bringing comfort to someone’s dying mother, is a source of inspiration, is conjuring a sweet memory of favorite hymns that a person hasn’t heard for a while.

 

Creating and sharing music is what I love to do.  You help me to do what I love.  Thank you for listening and supporting my art.  I am grateful.

 

My next public performance is on Fri., August 3rd at 6:00 pm at the Christian Light Bookstore/ Gift store/ Café’ in Williamsport, PA.


Doing it Anyway

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For quite some time, I’ve considered putting a blog on my website.  It’s been almost a year since I started telling friends, “I think I’m going to start blogging.”

My hesitation centered around two major fears:

1- People might read your blog.

2- People might not read your blog.

Simple.  Contradictory.  The real deal.  Can any of you other bloggers relate?

I acknowledged that my blog would be available to all who travel through cyberspace.  That’s a good thing.  I want my voice to be heard.  But…anyone might be reading what I’ve written:  students I teach at school, those who’ve attended performances I’ve given, friends, the guy who asked me for change at the Farragut North Subway Station, my parents, future employers, people who don’t agree with what I’m saying, the waitress who got my order just right at The Hershey Pantry.  The list goes on.

On the other hand, I’ve been terrified that no one would read my blog…that my writing would be “wasted,” (although I realize that would not be so, as writing almost always helps me make sense of what is floating around in my mind and my heart.)  Yet there was a very real fear that my voice would go unheard, unnoticed;  that would not feel good as I put myself out there, embracing vulnerability.

So…I’ve taken that important step of naming what I’ve been afraid of, and now I intend to release all of that, shake it out, and move forward on this exciting journey.  My friend and fellow musician & InterPlayer Stan Stewart advocates the “feel fear and do it anyway” approach, and that’s what I intend to do.  Thank you for joining me on my journey.  I ask you to please say “hello” and let me know that you’re here.  Comments are most welcome!