Bliss is to be pursued…
Posted in Internal Stuff on October 24th, 2008 by lizparker“Follow your bliss. Whatever you do, just follow your bliss.” How lucky I was, when I was a teen, and still very confused about what direction I wanted to go re: a career in music, that my father insisted I sit down and watch “The Power of Myth”. This was a series of interviews that aired on PBS in which Bill Moyers spoke with mythology professor Joseph Campbell. I remember in one of the interviews, Campbell kept saying, “Follow your bliss! Follow your bliss!” and this became a bit of a mantra to me. My father often repeated it to me when I needed to hear it most.
How blessed I am to have such supportive parents. When it comes to talking the (sincere) talk and walking the walk, they did plenty of both.
My mom was more of a “walker”. The endless chauffeuring to and from piano lessons, recitals, and competitions. I did fairly well in competition and usually won three or four out of five. We always had a post-mortem in the car on the way to MacDonald’s (my post-competition treat growing up) and I enjoyed my mom’s advice. “It hasn’t quite gelled,” she once said about the last movement of Beethoven’s Pathetique Piano Sonata. She was right. Whenever I didn’t win first place, she diplomatically explained why. Whereas when we arrived home, my dad would simply write off the adjudicator as a complete moron who didn’t know talent if he or she heard it.
My dad was definitely the “talker” – sometimes to the family’s chagrin. However, he was so proud of his children and spoke of us often. Despite monopolising the conversation sometimes, he also provided great verbal support to my brothers and me. I remember many active conversations in the car with him as well (more endless chauffeuring to and from ballet lessons, some piano lessons, and on weekend errands downtown). I remember the debate on how to interpret Bach’s music – I believe it could have *some* romantic influence and my dad strongly disagreed – and said Bach could be INTENSE – but NOT romantic. We had so many wonderful conversations. He was so supportive when we were growing up, and always reminded me that I had a lot going on and to develop my abilities to their fullest. Now he has Alzheimer’s, and is in good care in a home.
So, I thank my parents for all their years of faith and support. I dedicate this site to them.
How blessed I am to have such supportive parents. When it comes to talking the (sincere) talk and walking the walk, they did plenty of both.
My mom was more of a “walker”. The endless chauffeuring to and from piano lessons, recitals, and competitions. I did fairly well in competition and usually won three or four out of five. We always had a post-mortem in the car on the way to MacDonald’s (my post-competition treat growing up) and I enjoyed my mom’s advice. “It hasn’t quite gelled,” she once said about the last movement of Beethoven’s Pathetique Piano Sonata. She was right. Whenever I didn’t win first place, she diplomatically explained why. Whereas when we arrived home, my dad would simply write off the adjudicator as a complete moron who didn’t know talent if he or she heard it.
My dad was definitely the “talker” – sometimes to the family’s chagrin. However, he was so proud of his children and spoke of us often. Despite monopolising the conversation sometimes, he also provided great verbal support to my brothers and me. I remember many active conversations in the car with him as well (more endless chauffeuring to and from ballet lessons, some piano lessons, and on weekend errands downtown). I remember the debate on how to interpret Bach’s music – I believe it could have *some* romantic influence and my dad strongly disagreed – and said Bach could be INTENSE – but NOT romantic. We had so many wonderful conversations. He was so supportive when we were growing up, and always reminded me that I had a lot going on and to develop my abilities to their fullest. Now he has Alzheimer’s, and is in good care in a home.
So, I thank my parents for all their years of faith and support. I dedicate this site to them.
I am following my bliss.
Liz
PS: If I’m slow in updating or replying on this blog thing, bear with me…there are lots of technical doodads I gotta learn, here….