objects I've (unintentionally) stolen & advice I've ignored

Five-year-old me pipes up to begin this episode. While aspects of the memory are blurry, I’ll never forget the feelings of indignation that came when I was accused of stealing a toy. While I recently took a roll of painter’s tape from a workday at Windhover Performing Arts Center, I confessed it in an email to my friends there within 24 hours. My confessional streak - childlike at times - makes sense for a person who has always worked with children and families. I’ve learned some of my best lessons from wide-eyed writers like Annie Dillard and Rumi, whose line “unfold your own myth” I bring up (& misattribute) in this episode.I’m grateful to all who offer truth with love and respect: case in point, the luminous John Hicks, a fellow music educator who works in Gloucester, Massachusetts and keeps in touch with students & friends from around the world.I hope to bring John on the podcast eventually, but I especially love eating tacos & sharing time with him. John gives sound advice (pun intended), but it’s his presence that is a transmission of lovingkindness. May we all offer our communities compassion and courage in the here-and-now.Thanks for checking out Monday Morning Muse! This post is public so feel free to share it.Next week I plan to post a conversation with another brilliant poet; stay tuned. Keep an eye on my YouTube channel (@HannahLynnMell) for some live Zoom conversations about music making.Monday Morning Muse is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mondaymorningmuse.substack.com/subscribe