Every March, Irish music concerts grace our music performance calendars, playing into the theme of St. Patrick's Day.
Altan, one of the best and best known Irish bands, was back in town recently and a pleasure to hear once again. It is always a pleasant evening hearing their stories, jokes and beautiful harmonies. Frequent feet tapping and syncopated clapping from the audience augmented the rhythm created between the musicians and the audience. Plus, it was special in another way for me.
You see, it was the last band I heard before the covid lockdown. In fact, they played the night before everything shut down. There were changes and rules limiting the size of the concert and questions about whether it would be cancelled as we headed into that crazy period. We knew something was coming but we didn't know what. Later that night, after the concert, the lock down was announced.
So being able to see them again, with no restrictions, is a sign for me of our rebound. This was not the first concert I have attended since covid, but the first time seeing Altan since covid. I am elated that our circumstances have changed.
It also brought up another memory for me.
When I was younger, I played in bands and and solo, and for a brief time toyed with the idea of becoming a professional performing musician. Eventually, I decided against that path and chose to focus on other career paths.
Like many of you, I have had several careers in my life. My current path is the one that I have been on for 14 years now, and I am happy with my choice, but every so often, a thought creeps in about what if I had made a different choice back then. We all get those thoughts once in a while, don't we?
Of course, had I done so, I would not be doing this now.
And that is a pertinent lesson for all of us. We cannot live a life of regrets. Sometimes we make mistakes and we learn from our lessons. If we learn from our mistakes, we incorporate those lessons as we move forward.
As you know from my previous writing, I use music and sound in my energy healing practice, and it is a valuable tool that works well. So music is still part of my life, just different than when I was younger.
How might this relate to choices you have made along your path? Do you regret your past choices, or are you at peace with them?
Even recently, there have been choices I have made that were difficult and caused me to second guess myself. We all have times or situations like this.
Sometimes we may carry around regrets over past choices, and that diminishes our enjoyment of the present.
I am happy to go to concerts and listen to accomplished musicians play, and use my abilities in the practice of sound healing.
A grace note from the concert. The band introduced a young fiddler who shared the stage with them, noting that it is important to keep mentoring and bringing along the young talent. This week I am also beginning training a new young reiki student. I also am happy to be training the young talent.
Life always presents us with choices that we see in one light at the time and a different light later.
I am happy that my past included these musical experiences and I am happy to be here now, doing this.
The photo above is Altan joined onstage by the legendary Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser, taken by another concert goer at the concert the night before the lock down.
I always love hearing from you, so if you feel like sending me a note, calling or coming to see me, please do!
Have a wonderful day!
