Lent

I am a practicing Episcopalian Christian. I don’t talk about it much, but I try to spread that light with my playing and by being warm and friendly. I’m the first to admit that I’m not always successful, but I keep trying. That’s why I’m going dark on social media for the next 40 days.

Lent is a time for detoxing from the vices in life and reclaiming the parts of you that are important: after all, we can’t take anything with us when it’s all over. The most common things people fast from are sugar and booze. I’m realizing that, even when I don’t post, I’m constantly checking Facebook and Instagram (sorry, Twitter!). I’m surrounding myself with everyone’s good news while I practice at home and feel bad about myself. Maybe while I’m away, I’ll have more emotional and mental bandwidth to practice more efficiently and create some good news of my own.

As a busy musician, I often crave time to stay home, cook healthy food, be with my family, and play music that makes my face and heart feel better. Wouldn’t it be great if we all had that season where we shed our distractions and focus on why we started making music in the first place?

I don’t know about you, but most of my mental calories are burned on why I didn’t get a call; what am I missing that other players getting called have; how can I make changes in my audition game so I can finally win one? By logging off, I’m hoping to give myself room to contemplate and recharge, to level up on the horn, and maybe to forgive myself for being where I am in my career, because it’s not all that bad.

While I’m gone, I’ll pray for all of us to find peace and happiness in our personal and professional lives. See you after Easter. ✌🏽❤️