No more scary 7th grade teacher memories for me! I have joined a choir, on my own free will. With my mom. My mom has always been an inspiration for me when it comes to singing. She has a lovely voice and will sing and dance when the moment moves her too. In fact, she went dancing with my dad the night before I was born! I had heard about this choir and thought it would be a nice way to spend time with my mom and let go of any old stuff I have around my voice.
Choirs are for people who sound good when they sing, right? The one we are in is more about intention. It's called the Threshold Choir. It was founded by Kate Monger in 2000 who felt moved to sing at the bedside of a dying friend. There are now 50 threshold groups worldwide.
Their website sums it up nicely:
"The all-women Threshold Choirs honor the ancient tradition of singing at the bedsides of people who are struggling: some with living, some with dying. The voice, as the original human instrument, is a true and gracious vehicle for compassion and comfort. The choirs provide opportunities for women to share the sacred gifts of their voices at life's thresholds."
When we joined the group, there was a handout given that also spoke to my heart about why this group is important to participate in.
"It is important to understand that the primary intention of this choir is to come together to build a community of sisterhood through song. We come to sing for ourselves, as caregivers, nurturers, and healers. We come for the camaraderie and the singing of prayers. A member may choose not to sing at a bedside for many years, or never... However, this choir does provide opportunities for women to share the gifts of their voices in compassion and truth and life's thresholds."
What openness! There's even a cozy chair to relax, be silent, and be sung to in the circle. If you want to start a threshold choir in your area, go here to find out how. In harmony.
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