It's March Break and Spring is just around the corner. Currently I am sitting on my porch with a good cup of coffee and the cat is wandering around on her leash finally getting to enjoy some sunshine and fresh air. I can see the light at the end of this winter tunnel as I hope all of you are starting to feel. The air smells like Spring today and that's a great feeling.
Today I wanted to share with you the idea of how the Suzuki philosophy can be applied to not only our musical education, but our lifestyle choices. The more I teach and read and study and re-read, the more I see how Suzuki's ideas have not only influenced my work and how I teach, but also how I live my life.
Every decision I make, every challenge I work through, I find my solutions through the simplicity of Suzuki's philosophy. To summarize, "Start small, make it daily and remember that there are no limits to our potential." This is what I remind myself everyday.
Now, does that mean that I've found the secret to life and that every day is fabulous? Not even close. There are quite a few terrible days and a fair amount of great days. However, when frustration and overwhelm hits, I have strategies, I have problem solving tools, I have the skills to create new habits and the confidence to keep trying even if the first time or the tenth time I fail.
This line of defense is what the Suzuki method develops and what you are giving your children when you come to lesson and group and commit to daily practice. However, the concept of daily practice is just the start of what the Suzuki method can do to develop healthy lifestyle habits. Can we not relate the same ideas in terms of daily practice, taking small steps, review and repetitions for thorough mastery, and our limitless potential to other aspects of our lives?
Every decision I make, every challenge I work through, I find my solutions through the simplicity of Suzuki's philosophy. To summarize, "Start small, make it daily and remember that there are no limits to our potential." This is what I remind myself everyday.
Now, does that mean that I've found the secret to life and that every day is fabulous? Not even close. There are quite a few terrible days and a fair amount of great days. However, when frustration and overwhelm hits, I have strategies, I have problem solving tools, I have the skills to create new habits and the confidence to keep trying even if the first time or the tenth time I fail.
This line of defense is what the Suzuki method develops and what you are giving your children when you come to lesson and group and commit to daily practice. However, the concept of daily practice is just the start of what the Suzuki method can do to develop healthy lifestyle habits. Can we not relate the same ideas in terms of daily practice, taking small steps, review and repetitions for thorough mastery, and our limitless potential to other aspects of our lives?
Consider the other areas of your life where it is the EVERYDAY that makes a difference. Starting with the obvious:
Eating, sleeping, brushing teeth, going to school/work, personal hygiene, etc.
These are necessary habits that we tell ourselves we can't survive without.
Now think of the healthy lifestyle choices we want for ourselves and our family:
Exercise, eating nutritious foods, spending wisely/saving money, quality time spent with friends and family, completion of responsibilities (whether it is household chores, homework, work commitments, etc.).
These are the things we know we should do and even want to do, but it always seems too easy to say it'll happen tomorrow because today is just too busy.
Don't wait until tomorrow.
"Start small, make it daily, and remember that there are no limits to our potential."
No habits can be formed without EVERYDAY and this training is what children will take into adulthood and make them successful in any career path they choose.
Decide what it is you want for your life and start today:
Decide what it is you want for your life and start today:
Walk around the block to get the mail or go for a 5 minute walk after dinner.
Eat an apple (with caramel flavoured yogurt. So good!) instead of a donut.
Call that distant family member which you tell yourself you'll always do but don't remember until midnight.
Don't buy that sweater at the mall, but instead start a savings account for something more important you've always wanted (trip to England, new kitchen, tuition for your child's continuing education, etc.).
Purchase Dollarstore handheld sweepers and let the kids sweep under the table while you wipe down the counters.
De-clutter your home (and therefore your mind!) by purging one drawer.
De-clutter your home (and therefore your mind!) by purging one drawer.
Write one paragraph of that book report, essay, proposal etc. that you keep putting off.
Start small, but start today. There is always a way when we start small.
With Spring right around the corner (hopefully!), let's embrace this time and decide what small changes we might make in our individual lifestyles to provide the best environment for children to learn, explore, develop healthy habits, make mistakes and grow into the kind of adults Suzuki envisioned.
"The greatest duty and joy given to us adults is the privilege of developing our children's potentialities and of educating desirable human beings with beautiful harmonious minds and high sensitivity. I believe sensitivity and love toward music and art are very important things to all people whether they are politicians, scientists, businessmen or laborers. They are the things that make our lives rich" - Shinichi Suzuki (Starr, William. To Learn With Love. Pg. 106)
No comments:
Post a Comment