Coincidences?

Last night’s Facebook show had so many good friends with so many interconnected stories with each other and with songs that the night really reminded me of the serendipity we should expect in this world. At many times during the show I was beyond delight at the people and songs that popped in just at the right time as if someone was directing a movie. It’s a thing we have all experienced and usually shrugged at as just a coincidence, but some cultures and belief systems not only are not surprised at these but also live in full expectation of these happening every day as part of their routine. My favorite exploration of this idea comes from a book I have mentioned before and even wrote my song “The Great Mysterious” about by Roger Welsch called “The Reluctant Pilgrim: A Skeptic’s Journey into Native Mysteries.” If we accept the idea that we are all connected in ways we can’t see and that we are ultimately all one, then the idea that we have things happen in harmony with each other is not a surprise. What if we lived our lives with the anticipation and acceptance of these things every day. It would definitely bring more peace and joy. Of course some will dismiss it as magical thinking, but they can’t deny that when it happens to them they have that feeling that something more is going on. That’s how Roger Welsch referred to it - “Something is going on.” I encourage you to dwell on this idea a bit this week and see if maybe there is something “going on” in your daily interactions and happenings.

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What have I been up to?

Last week I played at several senior facilities and had a lot of fun. Outdoor shows work very well for these folks since they like heat and are thrilled to get outside. It was a little challenging with folks out mowing and the noise of the street, but we made it work.

My Facebook show Thursday doing James Taylor tunes went very well. I even learned a couple songs that I had not done before, and it was really fun reminiscing over stories of James Taylor and his wonderful songs.

My Saturday show for the Don K Guest Ranch former staff and guests went really well too. It is so much fun connecting with people from the past, and the memories just grow sweeter.

My Sunday Facebook show was a really special time as I wrote about above. People really rise to the occasion on Sunday nights with me and make the experience truly greater than the sum of the parts.

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What am I up to this week?

I only have one senior facility this week which is surprising since several of the places are trying to do outdoor shows now for their residents. I’m not looking forward to cooler weather this Fall when I won’t be able to do outdoor shows anymore for the folks and I fear that the virus will still not be under control.

Thursday 7-8:30 mountain time I'm doing another show in my theme-night series. This week I’ll be doing my own original songs. It thrills me and scares me a little to get to share my own songs, and I hope you’ll join me for a genuine evening. facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/photos-videos

Sunday 7-8:30 mountain time is my weekly request show on Facebook, and after this last week I am really looking forward to it. I have a bunch of new requests I look forward to playing and learning. Please join me if you can. facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/photos-videos

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That’s it for this week. Let me know if thinking of life in expectation of coincidences and serendipity leads you into any revelations this week. I didn’t mention it earlier, but those of you who follow me on Facebook will know that our mailbox was vandalized twice this last week - the second time being stolen altogether, and I’m waiting to see what coincidences come out of that experience. Be good and be safe.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing a Facebook Live Concert of my own original songs
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/photos-videos
When:  Thursday, July 30, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing a Facebook Live Concert of requests and favorites
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/photos-videos
When:  Sunday, August 2, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

The Science of Love

I read a great article that I also posted to Facebook about love, so you may have already read it, but I wanted to mull it over a bit this morning with you. The article was about our present state of high stress and fear during the pandemic. It said that hIstorical philosophy and religion teach that love drives out fear. I’ve always believed that love is the most important thing in our lives - both love for others and love for ourselves. Science is now also telling us that love is the answer to our current stress and fear. Living in a fearful or distrustful state produces chemicals in the amygdala in our brains like cortisol and adrenaline that lead to more stress and fear. But we have a natural regulator of the amygdala called oxytocin that is produced when we experience love. It actually inhibits the amygdala to react to stressful stimulus. The article pointed to a few things you can do to increase love in your life like telling your loved ones your fears, telling someone you love them (both someone you know and someone you don’t really know), and showing love to your enemies. All of these things can increase the love in your life and drive out the fear. I practice spreading joy and love because I feel it is my purpose in life, and it’s something I can give that has meaning in other people's lives. Secretly I believe that love is actually a force that goes all the way down to the quantum level, but that’s a story for another day. So give the article a read and let me know what you think. How to Fight Fear With Love - The Atlantic - https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2020/07/how-fight-fear-love/614227/

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What have I been up to?

I had several outdoor shows for my seniors last week. One of them was close timing with a really big storm that moved in right as I was packing and loading my car. It was exciting!

Thursday was a blast doing John Denver songs on Facebook. There were so many shared memories of moments with John and his music in the chat and in the songs. It was an honor to celebrate his life and music.

Saturday my niece got married with a small group in attendance and the rest of us tuning in on Zoom. I pre-recorded a couple songs they used in addition to other songs from other friends. It was very special, and I wish them well as they start their life as a married couple!

Sunday was my weekly Facebook concert, and it was a doozy! The requests were all over the board, and the fun was flowing in great measure. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy spending time playing music with friends.

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What am I up to this week?

Today, Tuesday, and Thursday I have online and outdoor shows for my seniors. I know I won’t be able to do these when the weather cools too much to be outside again since the virus is still raging, so I’m really cherishing the chance to see these folks and cheer them as much as I can.

Thursday at 7:00 pm mountain time I’m doing a Facebook Live concert featuring the music of James Taylor. I’ve been doing James’ music since the mid 1970s, and I have always felt a kinship with his intricate guitar playing and simple melodies. Please tune in if you’d like to hear some JT - facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/photos-videos.

Saturday I’m doing an online concert for the former guests and staff of the Don K Guest Ranch where I played for almost a decade in the 1990s. It’s going to be an afternoon show so all the folks from across the pond can tune in. You’re welcome to tune in, but it will be tailored to the conversation of music of the Don K folks.

Sunday at 7:00 pm mountain time I’m doing my weekly Facebook Live Show with requests and favorites. I never plan a theme for these shows, but we always have a good time chatting and doing songs for all over creation. It’s always a good time. Please tune in if you can - facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/photos-videos.

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That’s it for this week. I’m still mulling over the above paragraph about love and how we can use it to be happier and better humans to each other. Be good and be safe!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing a Facebook Live Concert of James Taylor songs
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/photos-videos
When:  Thursday, July 23, 7-8:15 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing a Facebook Live Concert from my home
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/photos-videos
When:  Sunday, July 26, 7-8:15 pm mountain time

Being Joyful in Hard Times

I’m thinking about hard topics today. I’m trying to write more lyrics, and this usually gets me into a pretty contemplative mood. I’m thinking about how to maintain joy when things are so tough all around us. I honestly don’t know how things will be after the virus is over. Heck, I don’t even know if I or many of my friends and family will make it through. I know that seems kind of dour, but I think it’s okay to ask big questions during this time. If you’ve read any of my past writing about joy you’ll know that I have many ways to deal with hard times in my own life: I find little routines and details that remind me of the beauty of life; I dive into my music which nourishes me in magical ways; I try to look at the big picture of life and love from 40,000 feet above the earth. Joy is a thing that is often manufactured by ourselves out of a realization of what life truly is and what an amazing thing our existence is in the universe. We are made up of elements from the explosion of stars and galaxies, and we are infinitely tied to the workings of the universe in ways we cannot understand. Our choice each day is to live in light of the magnificence of the universe and our shared existence on this planet or to get wrapped up in the struggles we all face until we are hopeless. Every day and every moment we choose.

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What have I been up to?

I did several outdoor gigs for my seniors last week, although one was rescheduled due to the 100+ degree heat we’ve been having.

My Facebook concert on Sunday went very well with some beautiful songs and requests. I’m always amazed at how requests fall together with what other people really like. We really are on the same wavelength so much more than we know.

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What am I up to this week?

I have several senior facilities to play for outdoors early in the week. Hopefully the weather will be good for all of them.

Thursday 7-8:15 mountain time I’m doing a Facebook Live concert with a theme either of James Taylor or John Denver songs. You can help me choose what you’d prefer. I have one vote for James and two votes for John at the time of this writing. Just reply with your choice. I’ll do it on Facebook at facebook.com/tom.munch and on my website at tommunch.com/photos-videos, and I’ll post which one I’m doing in the next day or so after I have enough votes.

Saturday is my niece Piper’s wedding online. We had hoped to have a big family reunion in the mountains for this, but the virus is making this be a mostly-online affair except for the immediate wedding party. I recorded a couple songs for them to play at the ceremony, and we’ll all Zoom in to participate.

Sunday 7-8:15 mountain time is my weekly Facebook Live concert. I look forward to these so much, and you can join in with requests and comments on Facebook at facebook.com/tom.munch. I also broadcast on my website for those who don’t care to join Facebook at tommunch.com/photos-videos. Please come and join in!

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That’s it for this week. This time is really wearing me down, and I know many of you feel the same. Being safe, patient, and loving seem to be the best way through. Maintaining joy with a good perspective is the key.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing a Facebook Live Concert of James Taylor or John Denver songs - your choice!
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/photos-videos
When:  Thursday, July 16, 7-8:15 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing a Facebook Live Concert from my home
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/photos-videos
When:  Sunday, July 19, 7-8:15 pm mountain time

Old Friends

Last night I dug out two older guitars I hadn’t played in many, many years. They were each missing strings, and I’m sure it had been almost 10 years since I had played them regularly. With new strings and a good once-over (one has a pretty good crack down the face - mostly in the finish) they were ready to play. I forgot what a different sound does for one’s playing. I was instantly transformed into a world of exploration and joy. Certain tones and combinations leaped out of each guitar like brand-new rich and also muted colors. I’ve been playing Martin guitars for the past 4 years, and these ones have wonderful pickup systems and are very playable. Martin has become the standard for guitar players for their iconic tone, which is consistent across all the models I have. It is a great sound with all the range of frequency and clarity you would expect. But there are many other approaches to building a guitar, and there many other worthwhile tones to be had. The two guitars I played last night reminded me of that, and they also helped me remember the joy to be had in the wider world from experiencing new and different things. I have written before of how little details in life lead to nuance and shades of love and understanding that we often forget are there. I encourage you to pursue this in your life - especially at this time when there is so much sameness in our locked-down and cautious but necessary lives. Be creative and joyful in everything you can today.

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What have I been up to?

Last week was spent playing for many senior facilities outdoors with a little lightning and thunder thrown in for excitement. It’s so good to see this folks returning to their sweet selves after being depressed and mostly alone for a few months.

Sunday was my Facebook Live concert again, and there was such energy in the air. It was exciting to be a part of it. There were a bunch of enthusiastic folks, and it was much different than the week before when I didn’t feel very well and ran out of steam. We did mostly requests with a couple of surprises.

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What’s up this week?

I have a bunch of outdoor senior gigs again this week, and I think I’m getting the hang of the battery-powered and the quick-umbrella'd setup. The mask-wearing is making my face break out in the heat, but it’s so good to see those folks and spread a little cheer and love that I don’t mind a little discomfort. Life is good.

Sunday 7-8:15 mountain time is my Facebook Live concert again, and I have a bunch of requests as always. Please tune in if you can - facebook.com/tom.munch. I also put it on my website if you’re not a Facebook person - tommunch.com/photos-videos.

I’m setting up some private concerts online with groups I usually play for in the summer including the Don K Guest Ranch I did a show for a couple weeks ago.

I’m also toying with doing some themed shows as I’ve mentioned before. It looks like Thursday night is the preferred night for these. I’m not announcing one this week, but I may do one if I get the impetus. There’ll be a Facebook event for it if I do it. If you’re not on Facebook give a visit to my website at the photos and videos page Thursday at 7:00 mountain time to see if I’m on - tommunch.com/photos-videos.

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That’s it for this week. I hope you are well and as happy as can be expected in our current situation. Know that you are loved, and try to find some of that detail in life that can bring joy.

Best always,

Tom

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Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing a Facebook Live Concert from my home
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/photos-videos
When:  Sunday, July 12, 7-8:15 pm mountain time