I'm Blue

There’s the blue me—as in the headshot I had taken when I was 40.

Then there’s the blue me—as in the recent revamping of the website.

Then there’s the blue me—as in the voice teacher who’s been hanging on, waiting for that shot in his arm, working at keeping everything together for himself and his students and sometimes not feeling it.

You know what I’m talking about.

The best time? When I am in the saddle teaching. I can see the past, present, and future. When I am making dinner. When I’m lost in a good book, or taking a walk in Central Park.

Those of us lucky enough to be able to keep our heads above the waterline financially, professionally and personally, talk about Self-Care—that thing (or things) we do to take care of ourselves so that we can take care of others. But many are not so lucky.

People, like water in glaciers, are falling through the cracks. I see more people sleeping on the streets of my city than ever before—and it’s cold out there right now. Too many of my colleagues at prestigious organizations have lost their homes, have left the City—and don’t know if they’ll be able to return.

I’m looking at you MetOpera.

What to do?

Give what you can, when you can. Pray with your actions. Keep yourself and others safe. Wear a god-damn mask. Check in and call your mother. Check out and sit on a cushion for 15 minutes and go somewhere fabulous.

Forget about doing things perfectly. Practice kindness. Then practice some more: first for yourself, then others.

And don’t forget to sing. Here and there. Ten minutes at a time. It’s a lifesaver.

You can be blue and still be you.