Well……..it seems the cat is coming out of the bag... 
Over the last two weeks, I’ve attended two festivals and am
ready to head to a third beginning tomorrow. It’s been a whirl of thoughts and
experiences that has me tumbling in mid air a bit—a bit off my center. I think
I’m coming back to center though and feeling a little more upright.
This adventure began with a three day didgeridoo gathering
called Indidjinus over the 7,8,&9 August. This is my third year going to
this gathering and it’s become something I sooooo look forward to every year. I
am so grateful to be able to go there and be a part of it. To see how this
beautiful instrument pulls people together to celebrate, bond, laugh, play,
create and love each other and just be themselves. I can’t think of any other
instrument that does that.
....
So what has had me so off my center?
....
Well, I was asked to play a set at Indidjinus. I thought
perhaps playing one or two numbers at an open mic but a whole set among other
didge players and performers had me a little nervous. I performed Saturday
night and thought I would just play a few numbers and that would be that. I
could fade back into the background/otherworld from where I came. So much for
THAT notion. For the next two days, folks kept telling me how much they LIKED
what I did and how I moved them, how they enjoyed the music. It makes me so
happy to have people enjoy the music I play. I love to share what I can and
hope it comes out right. Apparently, it came out just fine on Saturday night
because it resulted in a response I truly didn’t expect. As one person told me
“you are the talk of the camp.” …..this
mystery player that came out of nowhere.
....
I can say it was awesome to look up from the stage (I had my
eyes closed most of the time) and see people dancing to what I was doing. The
exchange of energy was magic for me and helped me to do my best. It was the
least I could do for the enthusiasm, generosity, kindness and appreciation
shown to me.
....
Flute Quest was the next stop. It took place this past weekend
here at home in Washington State at a beautiful place called Salt Water State
Park in Des Moines. I’ve been going to Flute Quest since it began four years
ago and every year it just keeps getting better. This beautiful festival is
focused on the Native American flute but there has always been a place for
didgeridoo there as well. It was an honor to play there again and to meet old
friends as well as making new ones. It seemed a little easier to play
didgeridoo there. I’m not sure why. All I know is that I was a little less
nervous.
....
I suppose all of this is leading to a realization that for
all the appreciation, compliments, thank yous and such that there is a
responsibility to keep going and not turn back to what seemed like safety.
There’s no trying to get back on that proverbial plane I wrote about a couple
of blogs ago. That plane has left and I need to find my parachute….. So just
what is my parachute? Well, I think it may be just being in the moment of
things and just letting experiences unfold as they will. Everything turns out
for a purpose even if it seems a little overwhelming and has the all the
comfort of being naked in the spotlight. It’s ok. After all it is a journey and
adventure that is now being explored at a new level. This adventure continues
tomorrow morning as I head out for Colorado to go to the Rocky Mountain
Didgeridoo Festival. Wish me luck 