A funny thing happened last night during my Christmas show at the La Veta Mercantile: I found myself harboring thoughts from a book I had read earlier in the day. I’ve done this before, and I’m sure you have too. I do this with movies as well. I get so involved in the story that I put myself into it, and the next thing I know I’m carrying those feelings and reactions into my own life. I usually try to fill myself with good thoughts and goodwill in my reading and entertainment. Jen and I will often choose a movie that is uplifting or light instead of something heavy and dark. It’s a variation of “you are what you eat” or “garbage in, garbage out”. I’ve written about this before, but it bears repeating at least for myself - fill yourself with light. It’s not necessarily religious or woo-woo. We can all see it in our own lives. Our mindset is determined by the outlook we choose and the influences we allow ourselves to take in. In my case it made the first half of my show last night a little less cheerful and exuberant than I wanted it to be. So at the break I changed my mindset, and for the second half I let the light shine through. I don’t know if anyone else felt it, but it was a good lesson for me to always take a second to look within and find out where I am. How about you? Do you feel these things and make changes too?
——
What have I been up to?
I had 9 senior facilities last week, but I had a scheduling mixup on one that had to be rescheduled for later this month. The other 8 facilities went wonderfully, and the Christmas cheer is strong!
My Wednesday online show was my own original songs, and I have to say that this is the most comfortable I’ve ever been doing my own songs. You’d think that after all these years it would be “old hat” for me doing my own songs, but I still get nervous exposing my vulnerabilities in my writing. Everyone was so supportive, and it went really well. I did do the new Christmas song I was writing last week!
My Saturday Christmas concert at the La Veta Mercantile went really well too. We had a nice crowd, and the ambience and sound were just perfect. It’s such a pleasure to get to play a show in a beautiful listening room of genuine folks. We did quite a few Christmas sing-alongs too. Emile and her staff do a great job.
My Sunday online show of favorites and requests went well too. It’s like a comfortable old jacket putting on this group and singing songs and making memories.
——
What am I up to this week?
I have 11 senior facilities this week, and I’m hoping the winter weather will let me get to all of them. We have a system moving in on Tuesday.
My Wednesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing Christmas songs again. We did newer Christmas songs two week ago, and I’ll think I’ll try to do more traditional songs this week - maybe old British songs. I do have a lot of those that I love. Come on out!
Friday I have a private event at the Broadmoor for the Council of State Governments. I have written before about these annual occasions. I get to entertain state legislators from all over the West. It’s always fun and enlightening.
Saturday 7-9 I have a Christmas concert at the Bell Tower Cultural Center in Florence, Colorado. I love playing at the Bell Tower, and I really look forward to my concerts there. Call 719-784-2038 for tickets - $8 for members and $10 for non-members. I’d love to have you there!
Sunday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I always say how special these evenings are, and you’re always welcome!
——
That’s it for this week. This is kind of a marathon week, and it’s fun to rise to the occasion and ride the wave of music!
Best,
Tom
——
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing an online concert of Christmas songs
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Wednesday, December 14, 7-8:45 pm mountain time
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing a Christmas concert
Where: Bell Tower Cultural Center, 201 East Second Street, Florence. 719-784-2038
When: Saturday, December 17, 7-9 pm
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Sunday, December 18, 7-8:45 pm mountain time