“Five hundred, twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes. How do you measure, measure a year?” ~ Jonathan Larson
Every year, on my birthday (12 November), I stop and reflect. My life rolls by at a frantic pace and I ask myself, “am I living the kind of life that I entered this world for?” This question is difficult to answer honestly.
I have spent my whole life trying to determine the best course of action, and wondering what my purpose for being here is.
I once had the privilege of being in a show written by a talented Jewish-American and one of his lines of lyric remain with me, “how do you measure a year?” There are so many metrics one can choose to gauge success, but Jonathan Larson recommends love as the best metric. I am blessed with so much love in my life, and a deep passion for the performing arts. If I were to measure the past 12 months in love alone, I smile with contentment. But, am I fulfilling my purpose?
People often say that you should pursue what you love and that life is too short to wonder. Since starting my blog in January, I have spent a good part of this year investing in the dormant creative soul inside me. Some days, I have suppressed my creativity because other responsibilities took priority, however, I know I am truly happy when I am creating.
Therefore, for the next 12 months I am taking a giant leap of faith. I have chosen to make my creative heart a priority. I shall practise my instruments more, write avidly and maybe even release an ebook, finish writing and recording an album, and return to the stage.
In order to do this well, a degree of sacrifice is required. I have decided to take a year’s leave from my full-time job as a music teacher and I am committing wholeheartedly to this new chapter of my story, my sabbatical.
I aim to make it brilliant and I shall take you, my readers, along for the ride. I don’t expect that the bohemian lifestyle will be easy, but easy was never attractive to me.
Hopefully, when my next birthday rolls around I will have created more original work and grown as an arts practitioner. I only ever want to continue teaching music and performance if I am practicing it.
So why am I telling you all this? I publish this because if it’s on record, then I am accountable. I own my actions and choices and if I fail or succeed in this, I take responsibility.
Tomorrow isn’t promised and I know I’m asking a lot of myself but “ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7). I will work hard to make my birthday wish come true. Since it is a birthday wish, it’s a secret and I will let you know if, or when, it does come true.
I am going to press the pause button on my traditional work life and visit Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland to see how far this rabbit hole goes. I have only a few teaching weeks remaining then I shall cross the creative threshold with undivided attention. Wish me luck…
“No day, but today” ~ Jonathan Larson
Update 12/11/2018 – this birthday wish did come true. I returned to the stage and toured with the Australian premiere of Disenchanted! a hilarious hit musical. Search Disenchanted! on my blog to learn more.
Brave and inspiring! All the best- I know you will excel at whatever you set your mind to x
Thanks lovely lady. I’m proud of the way you’ve explored your creativity, and shared your anecdotes through your blog this year. You know more than most how challenging it is to balance teaching with other areas of life. My wish for you is that you continue to grow in your self-expression and find balance. You have my support in the music and writing side of things so I am happy to help you out should you need me x