Notes from the Cougar Band Room

Ah, festival time. It comes around every year right in that time when winter won't go away and spring can't quite come fast enough. The annual rite of musical passage when band directors and ensembles across the land have that last big push for some of our most significant performances of the year. I'm not sure whether it's the significance of festival, the demand of the schedule, using that last molecule of energy to get out of bed, or needing more hours in the day, but I find this time of year to be really tough. Energy is scarce yet demand is high. In the name of self-preservation and self-care, I also find it vitally important to take some of our  precious minutes to reaffirm our work. Reconnecting with universal truths along with reminding ourselves why we are here & what we need to do to push through is really helpful in keeping our momentum and ultimately, keep moving forward. Here are some of the points and discussions we have made in class that have b...

Sometimes, I feel like I’m living life in the waiting room of a doctor’s office; I’m either waiting to do something or I’m doing something. And although self-care is something I fully believe in,  the vast majority of the somethings I’m doing are for other people. I don’t mind doing things for other people— In fact, I love it. It’s why I wanted to become a teacher and a mother. But spend enough time living in the waiting room and it will catch up with you: Energy runs low, not sure how much further you can go, and the light at the end of the tunnel gets further and further away. Ultimate truth time: I love my life, my family, my students, my school, my community. I wouldn’t change a single thing about it. Every now and then though, I wish there was a pause button. If I could just push pause for a little bit.... For the all responsibilities to be complete. For everyone’s needs to be met. For the e-mail to stop. To be caught up. To feel as though I have a guilt-free opportunity to ...