Workshop

“The little things? The little moments? They aren’t little.” - Jon Kabat-Zinn

One of my favorite things about living where we live is the relatively low cost of living. Our home is beautiful and at this point, Zheng and I are each able to have amply-sized offices. 

I’m a recovered clutter-bug, but now with digital technology and the ability to store things via cloud or scan (or however), it has helped me stay much more organized, and as a result, much less mental clutter or chatter. 

I re-organized my home office back in late February, and I feel like it’s one of the most important reasons that we’re in the thick of a very busy “season” (concerts, projects, life, taxes, etc) but that I’m still feeling some semblance of sanity.

Here is a photo of an in-process “arrangement,” one which will be performed with the New Mexico Philharmonic, my beloved UNM Chamber Singers, and my husband’s combined middle school student orchestras! You can read more about that concert here.  

Laboring on Labor Day

And, just like that, August ended. How? How is it possible? 

Since today is arguably the last "lazy day" I will get in a long while, we rested this morning and then spent sometime together talking to one of my dearest friends, who lives in Italy. We had "coffee" together. Lunch was a feast, and then Zheng and I spent much of Labor Day working on our websites. Mine is now live, which is so exciting! 

www.kristinditlow.com 

It will need endless tweaking and updating, but I will be able to do that myself! Zheng is working on his website. He is adding his own (very sophisticated) creative eye to the process. I will let you know the site address when it is live.

Despite anticipating a very busy and lively fall (new jobs, planning a wedding, and possibly dealing with job applications), my overall attitude is one of sincere gratitude. I am so lucky to be starting two new jobs (one with Syracuse Opera and the other at Ithaca College). I am delighted to have work at all, much less work that is exciting and that will hopefully bear even more fruit. 

I have been reading a lot about the holiness of work. 

As a recovering workaholic, who neither no longer wishes to dwell there, nor visit this tendency on any other human being, I realize that there were long parts of my twenties where my work was not connected to anything holy. In fact, some of the reasons to work were selfish. These reasons were connected to ego, money, or experience. 

The Eastman doctorate completely changed this. It was particularly working with Dr. Barr that really made the change, where you are working for the sake of excellence, because the music demands and deserves it. 

Author Dan Lord, in his book, "Choosing Joy," says that "If we are going to have and display joy, we must not allow ourselves to become anxious." 

Since I feel that September is the real start of the year (who chose January, anyway?), this will be my September Resolution. It will be to keep the anxiety at bay. It will be to work because of the quality it will bring to myself and others. 

John O'Donahue writes so beautifully, "For Work":

"May the light of your soul bless your work with love and warmth of heart ... 

May your work never exhaust you ... 

May your soul calm, console, and renew you."

Friends and readers, I bid you a delicious September, and exciting, inspirational work.

PHOTOS: Are in honor of the Federal Holiday, and also, for a sunset on a magnificent summer.