I've always been unable to write music when other people were listening.  I'm just too self-conscious. I feel like I can't get into the zone when someone can hear me, because songwriting and I have always had a private relationship. 

Until we didn't. 

One morning last week, I was desperate to play the piano, but I was home with the kids. My children were loud and busy that day, and I knew I wasn't going to get a chance to sit down and write music.  So throughout the day, resentment built up.  My kids could feel how frustrated I was.  Finally, I blurted out "Mommy needs to play the piano RIGHT NOW!!  You two are going to sit and paint pictures while I play." 

And to my surprise, they did just that. 

For a full hour, I wrote songs next to my kids.  They mostly sat there quietly, once in a while cheering me on or telling me they liked what I was playing.  It was honestly the most shocking (and damned nice) thing that's happened to me in a long time. 

Reader, as adults, we think we know ourselves pretty well, which makes us set in our ways.  We rarely consider the possibility that what we know about ourselves might have changed.  I was so pleasantly surprised to learn I could write songs in front of my kids; it made me question how many more of the things I'm always certain of that might be different, and how many more of my limitations aren't really limitations at all. 

Wishing you a limitless week ahead.  I leave you with this picture of a barred owl that's also been watching me write music from outside the window lately.  It's nice to know there are still good surprises out there.  See you next Monday. -Em