Blurring the lines between work and play
I learned early on to blur the lines between work and play. My dad was a master at making work fun and I assimilated his attitude in many ways. As many of you know I worked as a performing artist from a very young age. And I loved it. The only problem was that performing often took the place of hanging out and playing with other kids. And in order to sustain such a young career, other things, like homework had to be done at warp speed. By the time I was ten years old, I was able to juggle school, sports and my career as an entertainer with relative ease. I enjoyed working hard. I enjoyed the discipline of practicing my violin every morning before school. I enjoyed the race against time to finish my homework between classes. I enjoyed competing in sports, as long as I won the game. And I loved the theater more than anything.
Learning about the dangers of workaholism
As an adult, I have struggled to find balance between work and play, simply because work equals play for me in so many ways. It has been almost impossible for me to enjoy so called non-productive activities or to appreciate playing a game just for fun. But as I am learning more about the dangers of workaholism (yes, there is really such a thing!) and suffering the consequences of burning the candle in both ends one time too many, I am also learning to balance my life in a new and hopefully improved way. When I work myself too hard, I am often critical of those around me and less able to receive the gifts they have to offer. When I make sure to rejuvenate and let my creative well be filled anew, I love everybody and see with such clarity the beauty and magic that abounds.
Making time for people, nature and mindless activities
This Holiday season, I have taken some real time off to ski and watch movies and dine with friends and family and read mindless literature such as Donald Duck. As a result, I am sleeping better at night, my appetite is up, new inspiration is pouring into my creative horn of plenty, my body feels stronger and my brain somehow feels more able to deal with the challenges an artist career has to offer. My commitment to myself for the new year is to incorporate more playtime with friends and family, plenty of excursions in art and nature, and to arrange my work schedule in such a way that my body is completely taken care of in the process.
Making sure it’s passion, not compulsion
I love my life as an artist! I am passionately in love with my creativity and the privilege of sharing my hearts desire in words and music and singing my life into higher vibration. I just have to remember to check in every now and then, to make sure I am in the passion and not in the compulsion of it all.
Here’s a song for you, just for fun, and the lyrics too so you can sing along!
DANCING IN THE NUDE Click here to see the video!
Words and Music by Caroline Waters
Copyright 2005-2010 by Caroline Waters
Dancing in the nude, getting in the mood
Laughing as I groove into my being
Fully alive, feeling the drive to be completely wild
And seeing all my worries fade away
As I begin to seize the day
I reach for my spirit in the sky
Flying high, not questioning why
Dancing in the nude, getting in the mood
Laughing as I groove into my being
Fully alive, feeling the drive to be completely wild
And seeing all my worries fade away
As I begin to seize the day
I reach for my spirit in the sky
Flying high, not questioning why
//:Dancing in the nude, getting in the mood
Dancing in the nude, getting in the mood://
Caroline Waters' Vocal Freedom Blog 