The terminator of spontaneity, happiness and joy
The antidote to perfectionism is your own intuition. Trying to fulfill a perceived standard may result in a more technically accurate performance but a soulless one. There is a high price for that “perfect” performance paid for with a dysregulated nervous system and anxiety. What if you just followed your own musical impulse?
Be modest and humble
Let other musicians off the hook too. Putting a luminary musician on a pedestal is de-humanizing for that person. It interferes with your relationship with them and disregards your own musicianship. Moreover, it is a form of neglecting yourself on a soul level. Like the image on this card, let the clouds part so that the light of your soul can shine through.
Virtuosity, excellence, artistry, expertise, highest quality…
The descriptions of classical musicians and their performances are hyperbolic. Is it always necessary to be the best of the best? What would happen if we took a break from all the high standards? What would happen if we decided not to be the best? Is the performance by the elite musician always superior to one performed by the very good musician?
Violinist Linda Beers is the creator of the Inspiration for Violinists, a 50 card deck. Each card has a unique image and text inspiring musicianship, mindfulness and spirituality.