Navigating the Rollercoaster: Lessons from 2023

 

Hey there, brave souls of 2024! As we buckle up for another wild ride around the sun, let's take a moment to reflect on the rollercoaster that was 2023. Strap in, tighten those seatbelts, and let's roll!

Lesson 1: Adaptability is the New Superpower

I was worried about not being able to play music as best as I could once upon a time. I’m old now, my once iron fingers are now rusty (sigh!). So I asked Steve Vai, virtuoso musician extraordinaire about how he dealt with these thoughts (coz he’s super old now and he is not slowing down).  He looked deep into my eyes nodded his head and said one word “Adapt” and he went on and on about it ….aaand that information went over my head. But that one word “Adapt” gave me a lot of strength. We have to be strong and resilient and adapt to whatever the situation is. 

Lesson 2: Unleash Your Inner Chef (or At Least Try)

Parents, remember those elaborate recipes you saved during the lockdown? How many did you actually attempt? 
Kids, encourage your dads to cook trust me they are the best cooks! If it looks edible, it's a win – and if not, well, there's always Mrs Anandam Thomas’ homemade  delicacies (highly recommended ping me for contact)

Lesson 3: Laughter is Still the Best Medicine

In the face of chaos, laughter is our superhero cape. Kids, master the art of the dad joke; parents, embrace the eye rolls. A well-timed laugh can turn a gloomy day into a bright one. Just remember, if life gives you lemons, make a lemonade stand – extra points for entrepreneurial spirit!

Lesson 4: Screen Time ≠ Enemy

Parents, let's be real – screens are here to stay. Whether for learning, working, or binge-watching Instagram reels, screens are part of our lives. The trick is to find the right balance. Kids, maybe you can teach your parents how to use filters for those family selfies – it's a win-win!

Lesson 5: Embrace the Mess

Life isn't always Instagram-perfect, and that's perfectly fine. I learnt this while trying to paint a Tshirt  with my niece Natalia this Christmas. The Tshirt was a perfect gift for the messy young artist who decorated our walls with scribbles. The DIY T-shirts from The Talking Canvas was THE perfect gift for her (it wasn’t perfect for her parents who cleaned up later tsk tsk.) 
We spilled some paint on one tshirt, made a mess and the other one was ok! 

I also rediscovered the thrill of stepping on a LEGO – it was a bonding experience for me and my right foot. Embrace the mess, because the chaos often brings the best stories.

Lesson 6: Make Time for Nature (and Wi-Fi Detox)

In the era of technology, it's easy to forget the beauty of the great outdoors. Kids, challenge your parents to a no-Wi-Fi weekend. Camping in the living room totally counts. Remember, nature is the original playground – no charging required.

So good bye 2023, let's carry these lessons forward. A shout out to Emmanuel Edwin for a stellar job with the newsletters and kids, MEMORIZE Akshita’s tips on spacing out a practice routine on this issue. See you in class! Do your assignments!! NOW!

This was published on Noize, monthly newsletter for my music school Exodus