I offer some ideas on how to navigate the "Season to be Jolly" and all the challenges it can offer. Primarily: "Is it Kind? Is it Loving?"

For the first time in over 30 years as a self-employed designer, arranger, and consultant, a band director refused to pay me for my work.  This has been a bitter pill to swallow.

In the darkest of times, it is possible to still be kind, hopeful, and productive.

I encourage you to take time to unplug.  Turn off that phone, travel to some new surroundings, and take time to rest and renew.

I've now lived long enough to know clearly that making decisions out of fear has never served me well.

That kid is in your band, the one questioning their gender identity or sexual orientation, and they deserve a safe space in your program.

After living through two hurricanes, I am exhausted but also trying to give myself grace.

As I prepared for the hurricane, I found myself thinking a lot about what really mattered to me.

12 Minutes of exercise has been shown to have amazing benefits.

Not every creative endeavor works out the way you want it to. When this happens, we need to find the right self-care to move forward.