On my way to the Lake District in May 2019, I stayed a night in Lichfield in the English Midlands. I'd arrived there exhausted and a bit scrambled from the perilous drive north from London Gatwick, but I gathered my energies and spent the afternoon exploring the town and visiting the Cathedral. I recently came [...]
Scéal ó Shamhain go Bealtaine. A story from the first of November to the first of May. Here's inspiration to settle in for the darkest part of the year, and to light and warm it with stories. This year we can't gather in the same space, but the room of care, of listening, of [...]
Bíonn gach tosach lag. Tús maith leath na hoibre. Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí. Today, I have a little "set" of proverbs for you, all having to do with what it means to be a beginner and how we can best view that stage on the journey. These are the three proverbs I [...]
Éist le ceol na habhann agus gheobhaidh tú breac. Today's proverb is one of my very favorites, and I turn to it when I want to remind myself that all the goodness of life is available to me as soon as I get in tune with it. I call that river of sweetness, of [...]
Mair, a chapaill, agus gheobhaidh tú féar. Today's proverb encourages us to keep going, persevere, and generally hang in there. Life is kind to the consistent, to the ones who keep showing up. It may be be obvious at first, but over time, that faithfulness is rewarded. The video also stars the BIGGEST OAK [...]
Seeking a bookmark this morning I came across a small envelope I made out of paper purchased years ago in Venice. Inside I discovered a tiny piece of Lokta paper completely filled with a list of things I love: color * my eyes * cats * green places * trees * sunlight * sunsets [...]
One of my personal practices, and one which I love to share with every musician who studies with me, is this: Kiss or thank your instrument at the end of every session. Why is this important or helpful? Like magic, this gesture amplifies our appreciation and our good feelings. "Thank you" means we have [...]
The second proverb in the series, this one a meditation on our blessed inter-dependence. It unpacks its meaning and its opportunity in a couple important ways and to my mind, it has never felt truer. Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine. People live in each other's shadows. As one beloved Irish teacher used [...]
Students in all my classes will attest: I love proverbs and rely on them constantly to help me think, understand, and explain not just Irish culture and language, but also life itself which the proverbs illuminate brilliantly. This morning I conceived the idea of sharing some of my favorite Irish proverbs with you in hopes [...]
Some people can see it. Some people can’t see it. Some people love the approach. Some people hate the approach. Some people feel it was just what they needed. Some people feel it was a big waste of time. Some people agree. Some people disagree. Some people think it’s ingenious. Some people think it’s derivative. [...]
