Like anyone else, I enjoy music. I don't listen to it on a constant basis, however, since when not in a quiet room the volume has to be cranked up on the headphones and I would like to still have my hearing when I hit 40.
But when executing some tasks I have become accustomed, nay, I require, the sounds of Led Zeppelin strumming away in the background.
Take, for instance, cleaning. Scrubbing out a bathroom is less than entertaining, and wielding a brush to the sounds of Abba makes the time pass more pleasantly.
Then 'twas two nights before Pesach, and I had to take care of that procrastinated chore. I decided, for some reason, to try scouring without any other distracting assistance. It's going to be sefirah soon, I thought. Let's see if I can go solo. So I hummed as I wiped and windexed, all without the tunes piping encouragement.
I stopped some time later, unable to believe that the minutes slid by just as swiftly. And I now knew that I could do anything during sefirah, without the help of soulful crooning.
I don't always push myself. But when I do, the small, personal victories of discipline reinforces my belief in my own self-reliance.
I don't always push myself. But when I do, the small, personal victories of discipline reinforces my belief in my own self-reliance.
Wow! Good for you! I still find myself occasionally slipping, listening to non-akapella music sometimes when I work out. I wish I was as strong as you.
ReplyDeleteKol hakavod.
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ReplyDeleteYa i've been working out more in these past 3 weeks than I have in a long time because of the "listening to music while working out" heter
ReplyDeleteJudging by your name, lots of Wicked, I'm guessing? lol!
ReplyDeleteI don't work out, probably because we don't hold by that "heter." :D Why start?
ReplyDelete:-) I love Led Zeppelin...music is how i motivate myself to do paperwork..it's been tough the last few weeks
ReplyDeleteI came to the same conclusion while cleaning my office... although audiobooks help, too.
ReplyDeleteWe met last week at 16 Handles. You mentioned that you might want to splurge eventually on a Clarisonic. Today I noticed that SkinStore.com has a 20% off sale + free shipping so maybe the time has come (does that make up for the fact that I left you stranded on Coney Is Ave? Sorry about that)
POAA: Can anything top their poetic mastery? C'mon, the guys quote LOTR! They rock!
ReplyDeleteSIUG: Hey, how's going? I've never tried audiobooks; I should, though. Most of the stuff I read takes place in the UK and my head doesn't provide those British voices.
Ooh, thanks for the tip - and it was so nice to meet you! Email me at frumanista@gmail.com - we can chat or hang out again.
I am eight months into a year of no music. It's good, sometimes, to have the minutes with only you in your head.
ReplyDeleteR' Keleman recommends turning off the music a second before the final note plays as personal exercise in discipline. It is dead HARD, but worth trying.
It's very interesting what R' Keleman recommends. It reminds me of a scene in "Shogun" where the samurai stops eating while still hungry, as discipline.
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