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

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.

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