• Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
    Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.
    Be forgiving of yourself and others.
    Keep your promises (no matter what).
    Remember other people's birthdays.
    Send lots of Valentines Day cards and sign them "Someone who thinks you're terrific."
    Learn three clean jokes.
    Buy whatever kids are selling on card tables in their front yards.
    Have a firm handshake.
    Live your life as an exclamation, not an explanation.
    Return borrowed vehicles with the gas tank filled.
    Floss your teeth.
    Don't be afraid to say "I don't know."
    Watch a sunrise at least once a year.
    be there when people need you.
    Ask for a raise when you feel you've earned it.
    Call your mother.
    Compliment even small improvements.
    Avoid negative people.
    Wear polished shoes.
    Don't expect life to be fair.
    Don't be afraid to say "I made a mistake."
    Drink champagne for no reason at all.
    Over tip breakfast waitresses.
    Keep it simple.
    Have a dog.
    Plant flowers every spring.
    Count your blessings.
    Plant a tree on your birthday.
    Say "thank-you" a lot.
    Compliment three people everyday.
    Dance like no-one is watching. Sing like no-one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt.
    Leave everything a little better than you found it.
    Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.
    Say "please" a lot.
    Sing in a choir.
    Commit yourself to constant improvement.
    Keep secrets.
    Wave at kids on school buses.
    Carry jumper cables in your trunk.
    Leave the toilet seat in the down position.
    Stop blaming others.
    Marry only for love.
    Look people in the eye.
    Never underestimate the power of love.
    Always accept an outstretched hand.
    Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures.
    Use the good silver.
    Be the first to say hello.
    Never refuse homemade brownies.
    Rekindle old friendships.
    Sing in the shower.
    Return all things you borrow.
    Feed a stranger's expired parking meter.
    Strive for excellence, not for perfection.
    Make new friends but cherish the old ones.
    Take responsibility for every area of your life.

Self-Isolation

We’re living in strange times. We’re told to self-isolate, stay two metres away from people, wash our hands, practise social distancing and so many other unfamiliar things.

The internet is full of advice, warnings, threats and suggestions. Here’s a selection of tips for us singers to keep in mind.

Self-Isolation

Maintain your routine
Stick to your daily routine as much as you can. Just because you can’t do some social things doesn’t mean you can lie around in your PJs all day. Get up, have breakfast at the usual time. Eat regular meals at your regular time. Watch your favourite shows. If you usually go to fitness classes, exercise at home at the same time.
Stay in touch

You can’t meet people in person, so learn to meet them online. Learn to use social media so you can keep in touch with friends. Learn to use FaceTime (on Apple devices), Skype (on other devices), Zoom (for group chats). These systems all let you see your friends as you chat with them on your smartphone.

Make it fun! Have a virtual tea party! Pick a time, get spruced up a bit, have your tea and cookies ready and share your cuppas over a video chat.

If technology is not your thing, phone your friends. Phone to say hi. Phone to ask if they’re ok. Let them know they can call you to talk. Call to let them know if you’re NOT ok.

Sing!

If you’re reading this, you’re probably in the Silver Chord Choir and you’re missing our Monday practices. So – break out your music and sing!

If you need the accompaniment playing and don’t have it handy, speak the words out loud in rhythm.

Spend time memorising the words and learning your parts – what you sing and what you don’t.

Sing in the shower, sing in the kitchen, sing along to YouTube videos. Sing anywhere!

Practise all the tips in our Tips for Singers page!

Stay busy

Create a project. Learn something new. Learn a new verse to a song every day. Practise your choir repertoire. Plant a herb garden in your kitchen. Learn to make a new dish every week. If you like it, make enough to freeze.

Comments are closed.