Fiona Claire Newsletters

March Newsletter 2014

Why songwriting?

This month two ideas have caught my attention.  The first is that art is a two-way communication between people that can heal feelings of isolation and loneliness as well celebrate beauty.  The second is that doing things just because we enjoy them is not only a nice way to pass the time but is essential for our self-esteem and well being.

When I attended a talk by Alain de Botton, the author of books about philosophy and its place in every day life, he was speaking about art as therapy.  He was not referring to art making as a therapeutic model, but appreciating and experiencing art in galleries and museums as a therapeutic activity not just an intellectual exercise.  ( See his book here: http://alaindebotton.com/art/ ).  He went on to explain that when he was young he had emotional reactions to art in galleries but was not sure if he was supposed to, as art seemed to be something you had to learn to appreciate and understand in an academic way.  I was most struck by his story of feeling strong emotions when seeing a Rothko as an adolescent and how he later understood that it had been soothing to realise that the feelings of sadness expressed in the abstract work mirrored his own, that he was not alone and that this provided comfort.  For all the academic and intellectual talk about art, it is the emotional connection that is made through the work from one human being to another that is most powerful.  Bridging the gap of existential loneliness is so important and mostly these feelings, whether felt by children, adolescents or elderly, are beyond mere words.  Art, whether it is music, painting or an other form, can bridge that gap and the solace it can bring when it does, can resolve emotional pain and be life affirming.

Image from:http://www.digitalartistdaily.com/blog/2012/01/top-5-free-art-programs/

Which brings me to the second idea that has been rolling around in my mind.  The idea that time spent doing something just because it is enjoyable, and not because it will lead to success or achievement or a high score in the game of life, is vital for our health.  This was point was made very clearly by psychologist Rebecca Tuqiri on SBS’s programme “Insight”

( you can see it here http://www.sbs.com.au/insight/ ).  Although we may all have been told to “Smell the roses” or take a holiday at some point,  the importance of doing pleasant things goes beyond enjoying ourselves and having a rest, and cuts to the heart of how we see ourselves.  Do accept ourselves when we are just “being”?  Or must we be working toward a certain goal to be considered good enough?  Rebecca told us that in her practice she has seen clients who have suffered terribly because of their internalisation of the need to success and achieve.  It had come at the cost of resilience when faced with failures and a loss of self-worth when they were not engaged in a competitive or high-achieving activity.  She set them the task to simply do something because it was enjoyable and stated how important it was to know that we are just as worthy on a day in which we do nothing as we are on a day in which achieve an amazing goal.

Art and songwriting - image from:http://moocnewsandreviews.com/review-songwriting-mooc-from-the-berklee-college-of-music/

That these two ideas have resonated with me right now probably have to do with the passion I have for the work I do.  Switching off our inner critic and being free to create is vital in order to connect with our authentic self and to tap in to the strength that lies within.  But sometimes we can be out of practice at “just being” and need someone to guide us to a place that is safe and has no judgment.  This is a corner stone of the singing, songwriting and therapeutic services I offer. 

I am also reminded of the importance of my own work-life balance and making art and music purely for enjoyment and not as a means to an end.  An acquaintance once asked me if I made much money from playing my own songs, and if not, why I did it?  At the time, I played mostly at open mic nights and expected no payment.  The only way I felt I could explain it to him was by asking him if had friends who had played golf or sailed boats and if he expected them to make money out of their equipment and weekends away.  His face showed understanding and he said “Oh I get it, you love doing it”.  “Yes, I do, yes I do”, I replied.

So for all these reasons I love songwriting, because it connects me to my inner self, it is a way to just “be” regardless of outcomes, finances and sales and because I can express my own feelings that are sometimes beyond words.  Most of all, because I have so loved listening to the songs of my favourite artists, marvelling that they could feel the same as me and feeling solace and companionship in their music.  And I am passing it on.

If you are interested in learning about songwriting you may wish to attend my six week Songwriting Course, commencing on April 19.  The details are below but feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

In the meantime, enjoy something for no reason........just because.

Kind regards, 

Fiona Claire.

www.fionaclaire.net

Work with me: Individual Counselling, Creativity and Therapeutic Singing and Songwriting Sessions by appointment. Email: fionaclaire@optusnet.com.au or call 0437 985 132

Dates: April 19 - May 24
Time: Saturday 1- 3pm
Venue:  Jika Jika Community Centre, Union St Northcote.Jika Jika Community Centre
Price: $180, $150 concession.
If you are interested please call Fiona directly on 0437 985 132 or email: fionaclaire@optusnet.com.au