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

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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