Songs of the Soul

In many shamanic societies, if you came to a medicine person complaining of being disheartened, dispirited, or depressed, they would ask one of four questions: “ When did you stop dancing? When did you stop singing? When did you stop being enchanted by stories? When did you stop being comforted by the sweet territory of silence?” – Gabrielle Roth

Have you stopped singing, friend?

If the answer is yes, when and how did that happen?
Was it gradual over time or was there a particular moment when you fell silent?
What do you imagine when you consider bringing singing back into your life?
Are there times you yearn to open your mouth and cut loose?
How does it make you feel to hear these questions?

If the answer is no, how is singing a part of your daily life these days?
How has the COVID pandemic affected the ways and places you sing?
How many songs do you have memorized?
What would it look like to sing all the time?
How does it make you feel to hear these questions?

I’m a voice coach for all kinds of people.
Although many of my clients are interested in improving their speaking voices, I always ask them about their relationship to singing.
It has everything to do with our voices – and our stories about them.

Countless people recount heartbreaking tales about how one offhand comment completely shut down their singing voice, often from a very early age. I hear stories of shame, confusion, and deep, deep yearning. Now and again I hear joyful tales as well.

Singing is a deeply human activity. It is part of every human culture around the world and throughout time. Our kin have used singing to do so many things:

• Transmit essential stories
• Lend rhythm to collective work
• Honor the seasons
• Grieve 
• Celebrate
• Nourish a sense of belonging

Only in the very recent past have so many people stopped singing. We have become consumers of song instead of makers of it. Something essential is missing. Our voices and souls are starving for song.

I like to imagine a world where everyone carries a collection of simple songs in their memory:

• Songs to greet the morning or evening. 
• Songs to enliven your commute or shower.
• Songs to bless a meal or comfort a friend. 
• Songs to remind you who you are and affirm what matters to you.
• Songs to awaken your connection to the Divine.

At any given moment, a song could arise and be sung out loud – imperfectly and with great joy.
In anticipation of my Jung Platform course, Songs of the Soul,  I composed a cheerful song to encourage this kind of singing.

Here is the chorus:

The whole world is singing to us every day
It’s the least we could do to sing right back in our way
It could do so much good if you only would
Start to sing, why not sing?

So I ask you now, friend – why not sing?

Singing is a deeply human activity. It renews us, and connects us to each other and the rhythms of life. For many reasons, we sing much less these days. In this wonderful 4-class-course Songs of the Soul master voice coach, Barbara McAfee, gets us singing again. Barbara helps you open or develop your singing voice at your own pace. She’ll show you how to make singing part of your daily practice and how to use songs as a gift to the world and yourself. Learn More Here.