The last time our church had an Easter Choir was before the pandemic. We have a “real”, year-round choir at my church that learns serious choral music, but the Easter Choir is just a temporary gig for volunteers who like to sing; all are welcome, short-term commitment, and no skill required. Just my speed in this season of life.
And wow, how I have needed it.
There were some rehearsals and before each one, I felt sluggish and heavy in my body; laden with wrenching stories from my clients, worried over the state of America, dulled by the unusually cold weather, and experiencing post-bff-visit let down. The combination of it all has dragged on my mood, leaving me feeling so… low… energy…
Then the magic of the Easter Choir! Flexing latent skills of music reading, finding harmonies I’d forgotten I could sing, making new connections with people I didn’t know….so good. And then adding the lyrics of hopeful Easter music and the sound of songs coming together did something visceral.
I could feel the burden lightening.
I could sense my heart opening up.
I felt remarkably better after than I did before.
The final rehearsal with horns, drums, and bass was the highlight of my week!
God made us with bodies that respond to stuff. When I don’t have on my own what will help my mood shift, getting my body into a place that gives me an influx of happy hormones is essential self-care.
I know I’m not alone. I’ve talked to a lot of people who are bearing great burdens right now. So, what is your Easter Choir? What is a thing you can do that energetically shifts your body from heavy to light? KEEP DOING THAT THING!!!
4 Responses
Your whole body and expression showed the joy you were experiencing singing in the Easter choir yesterday. I could relate in a different way. I had knee surgery a week ago so I’ve been in bed a lot. To distract me from the throbbing, I’ve used Alexa to play my favorite artists’ music and that has allowed me to ‘find a relaxed happy state’. I may not be moving my body like you but my heart could soar from praise music, even in the middle of the night.
Janice, this post makes me SO.VERY.HAPPY!!! I’m so glad God blessed you with this experience, and I couldn’t agree more. Yay, yay, yay!!!
You are so right. I sing in a small women’s choir at the music conservatory. We are only 12, but whenever we get together ro reherse my day feels diferent, my body is full of joy, and in spite of my 83 years I feel more than 30 years younger. And when we perform, I can not stop smiling, and the harmony goes through the body and lifts up our souls. But it is not only the singing, it is also doing it with a group, the suport and the connections are what we all need. I still supervise, and see 2-3 clients, and all this gives me lots of energy. Keep singing, keep loving, keep the spirit.
I love dance exercise classes. The combination of energetic music and movement always brings joy to my soul and I can’t keep from smiling.