Do you find this Skool space helpful? Is it beneficial having this community here as opposed to a Facebook group where you'd see notifications pop up when there's a new post, course, or event? What's most helpful for you? Please add any specifics you need in the comments. Thanks

I saw a completely irresponsible and nuance-free post on Facebook today, put there by somebody who should know better. I felt utterly disappointed, and then of course I had to see what was going on in the comments. Even more disappointment, stress, and eye rolls. And then I remembered there was a fork in the road back there where I could have chosen to use my energy in a different way, (get out my journal instead of my phone for example), or decide what I let through the gates. I want to be more conscious of that moving forward and ask myself how I can do what is really interesting to me and how I can share something beautiful today. Close the door and lock it and put on some music and see what's there today that you can share. There's just too much bullshit flying around -- no reason I need to stick my nose out and inhale deeply.

I'm a teacher -- it's part of my calling, I believe. I also noticed lately that I've used teaching as a block to expression. I asked myself recently -- who am I so grateful for because they wrote that song, novel, poem, painted that painting? Stephen Sondheim, Victor Hugo, Emily Dickinson, Honthorst (a painter I was always drawn to at London's National Gallery). And endless list of folks -- Richard Rodgers, CS Lewis, Billy Collins, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Madeleine L'Engle............ Yesterday in a lesson, I thought -- here's a teacher, a student, and a collaborative pianist all gathered around "A Foggy Day" by the Gershwins. We're reaping the riches from this tune 100 years later. So, why am I holding my songs and stories back? Maybe one person might enjoy it or want to sing it one day. If I write a song, and it makes one person's day better, that's a complete sharing, and it's worth it to me. I have a recital date on the calendar at the Conservatory in October, and I decided it's going to be original songs. Most of them I haven't written yet. I'll keep you posted. What are your creative ways to block yourself? And what kind of thing will someone be so grateful you shared?

Realized this week that I've been using this phrase as an excuse -- A couple of dreams I have that involve having a lot of money are -- Creating a scholarship fund at the Conservatory so that the pedagogy program is fully funded (and retro-paying all previous students' loans and tuition). And producing new and exciting new musical theatre work -- others' and my own. And I thought -- what could I do that did a similar thing as the scholarship? I could give my knowledge away to the best of my ability -- what if I put everything I teach and have learned on YouTube for anyone to access?? That feels satisfying and possible. And the shows -- dang, I work at the freaking Boston Conservatory. I wonder where I might find some musicians and singing actors to workshop some things. I don't need the idyllic barn on my farm (yet). I want to see what I can do from the wealth I already have. What can you do today from the wealth you already have? Love much

This morning I did a 15 minute yoga flow on my nutrition app -- it was terrific. There were plush toys all over the living room floor, and I didn't have the yoga mat, so my brain was like "you don't have a minimalist studio with a plant in the corner, how are you going to do yoga??" I did it on the living room rug, slipping out of down dog a few times and falling out of whatever that arms out leg up tilt forward pose is -- it was great to move and stretch my body. I'll be back tomorrow. What imaginary excuses are you throwing in your way? Leave the plush toys in the floor and practice your stuff. You'll be proud of you