What a blessing it is to outlive our self-judgments and harvest our failures.
Rachel Naomi Remen
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts I’m learning how to play the Native American style flute. I simply love its earthy sound and it’s so very simple. It does not require electricity or a battery, just my breath, intention and of course practice. I’m finding it to be a great teacher and helping me to let go of my negative self-judgement. It’s teaching me to be patient with myself and not be critical, and as the quote above suggests, to harvest my failures. I have much to learn in breath control, fingering exercises, learning mouth positioning, rhythm, and keeping squawks, squeaks and whistles to a minimum. Eventually I will learn a few songs as well as the ones found within me. More practice.
I see the Native American style flutes as beautiful works of art as well as musical instruments. This is an image of a second Native Sunrise flute I ordered made by Ron Stutz. My other one made by him is in the key of A and made of Spanish Cedar. This one is made of Cherry wood and in the key of G. To me they are works of art. I have a small rack to put these two flutes on along with the Joe Loftin flute and they become art in my home. Now back to practice.
4 Comments
geri oster
This magnificent flute is a breathtakingly beautiful work of art as is your diligence in learning to bring the flutes beauty in music to life, Monte. “Harvesting my failures”, this too is magnificent and a gift of reframing those ouchy parts of my journey on Terra Ferma. Thank you!
Monte Stevens
Thank you, Geri! Hopefully I’m letting the flute discipline me in my practice. It’s an excellent metaphor for living life.
Earl
These flutes are works of art and beautiful.. I’m glad you’re finding so much joy in it. I see your attraction to these flutes as somewhat akin to your attraction to fountain pens. Perhaps you are an old soul! 😉
Monte Stevens
Yes, they are similar to the fountain pens. My concern is to not allow them to become addictive where I buy foolishly. I actually have been selling some of my fountain pens. I can only write with one at a time. Some are just sitting in my case uninked and lonely. When you mentioned “old soul” I needed to look it up. I was familiar with the phrase but wanted to know more. I resonate with some of what they say an “old soul” is. I was surprised to read this: Old souls have gifts that go beyond their body and their age as if they’ve been learning something for more than one lifetime. And yes, some people speculate that these individuals may have lived many past lives, which may or may not be in their self-awareness. Interesting. Back to practicing.