Which would you rather do?
1. Sing a solo in front of 38 “perfect” strangers.
2. Stand naked in front of God and everybody.
Maybe you’re wondering, what’s the difference!
I did both of these things during New Year’s week while attending a singing class at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California. (Felt like institute for the insane!–Before this class I would have wondered if saying “insane” was politically correct–now I say, “This is my voice–get used to it!”)
The grounds are amazing. 
But it wasn’t the grounds that grounded me or the nakedness that revealed me. It was the singing.
Claude Stein’s way of coaxing out the natural singer in each of us is truly Amazing Grace! Somehow he knows. He knows how to guide each singer away from that inner critic who erodes the joy of singing as insidiously as ocean waves erode rocky cliffs.
Claude leading us in Here Comes the Sun
The sun may be setting in this photo, but we’re singing a sunrise song. That’s part of Claude’s magic. He teaches how to mix things up a bit, to express one’s voice “out of the box!”
I know I don’t have perfect pitch or perfect perk, but I have a right to sing and I have a right to sit naked in the mineral baths. And I have a right to live life on my terms. Sweet!
Thank you, Claude, for the reminder.
How about you, dear readers? What do you want badly enough to just do it?
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Good for you Gayle. You do seem to be a person who can “flit” out of the structured world and broaden your life. Sounds like a wonderful experience. Please let me know when you are singing in a performance. I missed the one at Christmas due to a conflicting schedule. Here’s wishing you and Michael a very happy New Year.
Hi Peggie, Thanks for your good wishes. I know you understand the excitement of adventure, as I’ve been on a few with you! Happy 2013!
Sounds like a fun and inspiring week, Gayle. Please let me know if you’d like to join me at music group sometime. We meet every other Tuesday in one of our homes. Sometimes it’s pot luck at 6:30p.m. then singing, and sometimes just singing at 7:30. Always good for the soul! Happy New Year to you.
Love,
Canda
Wow! Thank you for your kind offer. Tuesdays are my choir night, however, so at least I will be singing! Maybe you’d like to join Karen and me for a flash mob night!
Oh! Horray!! What marvelous, luscious, extrodinary, FUN! Everyone needs to sing…it is part of who we are deep down inside. Heck..in other cultures everyone sings…all the time! Look at Sound of Music..wasn’t everyone singing? Yes, it was a movie musical but actually the VonTrapp family did a whole lot of singing in Vermont, too.
Africa..singing, Appalachia..singing, Germany…singing (and swinging beers around!), Celtics…singing (and swinging beers around).
Hey..stop by for a beer and we will sing..better yet, let’s do a “Flash Mob” singing at a local pub! Are you on for it? 🙂
Yes! Let’s flash together. I’ve already begun the recruiting process!
Hey!
Hope you had a great time snowshoeing and sushi-ing. Great! I will also recruit people. Then we should (secretly) decide in which establishment we will do our invasion!
This sounds like so much fun…can’t wait.
LOVE YOU!!!!
Karen
Okay. Any readers out there want to join in on a singing event?
Sounds good! When? Where?
Will get back to you! Need to talk to the ring leader!
Yeah! Okay didn’t see a post of the mineral baths thing…it is okay, I could use a naked mineral bath myself, while singing.
I look forward to joining you!
Gee… Iwas hoping for some tips! Any possibility you could enlighten me? I can use all the hep I can get. 🙂
Actually, when we had to sing a solo, I was wishing I knew the lyrics to your song–you know, the one that would be a perfect Merle Haggard recording! As for a tip for you, I’d say come over and sing. I could listen to you all night!
I love your spirit Gayle…every time I read your blog, I feel the resonance with my own spirit. Thank you for reminding me who I am. I love you! Francie
You make me so very happy (la, la, la)
I’m so glad you came into my life! (la, la, la)
Finally had a moment to check out you blog. Your spirit comes through so strong. You are a great writer and wise woman. Thank you for sharing your journey. Tell me more about your flash mob, I have been thinking about organizing one here. Hope you are enjoying these sunny winter days. Have subscribed to your blog – so I will be in touch. Be well, Sandy
Hi Sandy,
Thanks for your kind comments! My friend is actually the organizer. She phoned a local pub who said we could go there. We choose a song ahead of time, scatter to different tables when we enter the pub, then stand up either individually or in groups of 2 & 3 to join in until our entire group is singing. Hopefully, patrons will join in. Haven’t tried it yet, however, so can’t give you feedback.
Hey! We need to do this! Maybe in the beginning of April? We can each bring a flower, also and present them to the establishment!
I will stop by the place this week and check it out for a date and then we can proceed our recruiting efforts!
LOVE to YOU, Karen
There are choir members who are interested. Let’s sing!