Bruce W. Ford

some days the alligators (clients, phone calls, emails, challenges,
upcoming trips, etc.) come at me from all directions.  All I can do
is stand up, wobbly in my canoe, get a firm grip on my oar and
start swinging at the closest one.  

Anyone else feel like that sometimes?

As crazy as things get, there are still things we all make time
for.  In fact, that's how I know what my priorities really are.  I
still bathe, spend time with my girls, eat...lots of eating.  And, I
still have my nightly therapy.

Nightly therapy?  Yes, music is my therapy and my dulcimers are my
therapists.  Taking a high-stress day to my dulcimers has the
wonderful effect of making it all better somehow.  It's also a boon
to practice.  I've been known to lose myself and let an hour go by.
 (Of course that means it's 11PM or after.)

Here's my point.  I find it incredibly useful to elevate my
dulcimer practice time to the "necessity" level.  That means it's
something as important as eating or exercising.  Why?  Because for
folks like us the dulcimer (1) is a great stress reliever, (2) has
a calming effect, (3) lowers blood pressure (4) makes me happy...and
the list goes on.  You'll have your own list.

You can look at playing dulcimers (or any other instrument) as
"just playing dulcimer" or, you can acknowledge the benefits and
make it a priority.  

I submit that the things that tend to enhance
our lives ARE the very things on which we place a priority.  For
me, the time I spend playing music is one of my personal priorities
and it is enriching my life.  I just love it!