If nothing else, COVID-19 has stirred up the innovative in the sequestered. The seven hills of Rome are “alive to the sound of music.” Because of the forced isolation also in Europe, ordinary folks in Italy are coming out onto their balconies, keeping to the distancing rules, and exercising their vocal cords. Entire families chime in. Popular songs or operatic airs bring people out on other balconies. Someone brings out an accordion, another, a guitar, another, a violin or a tambourine. No sweeter melodies are to be found than in the fresh air impromptu concerts from the multi-stories of apartment buildings.
Under the present anxiety of uncertainty and lack of outside social contact, singing can be a stress reducer. Because singing uses both sides of your brain, it literally takes your mind off your worries. You also get a shot of energy because crooning boosts oxygen and blood flow by working the lungs and other parts of the body required to project one's voice. Singing may lead to a stronger diaphragm due to the greater amount of oxygen needed to carry a tune. The breathing effort to sustain a song may improve lung function and reduce symptoms of mild asthma.
A little research turns up a lot of perks from our voice exercise. A person need not be auditioning for the next season of "American Idol" or "The Voice" to start belting out a favorite tune during the sequestered time freely provided for us by government mandate. Let’s be patient with each other’s amateur efforts, if we are in close quarters.
Scientists say that singing can have a calming but energizing effect, can help tame stress and lift the spirits. It's a natural antidepressant. Time magazine reports that singing may release endorphins associated with feelings of pleasure and stimulate the release of Oxycontin, a hormone found to alleviate anxiety. Moods improve when we start to sing.
Singing with a group can reduce loneliness by bringing together like-minded people engaged in the same activity. Obliged to be at home with children is a great chance to sing with them. Singing along with music on TV children's programs lightens the tension of 24/7 closeness.
And more? Singing can boost confidence, improve mental function, help with immune response, and be a form of cardiovascular exercise.
One of the losses in the senior stage of life is my singing voice. I happily sang through childhood. I didn't have the talent or discipline to play an instrument, although I longed to do so. Shy as I was, I could sing. I sang my way throughout high school and college participating in choruses and operettas and church choirs. I traveled with the Women's Glee Club all four of my college years performing in concerts throughout the country during seasonal school breaks.
Then lung cancer surgery and the aging factor put me at a disadvantage with diminished lung capacity. Allergies also plague me, and since I wear hearing aids, my own singing voice sounds unfamiliar to me. Nevertheless, I am quarantined alone and I can sing to my heart's content without disturbing anyone or being judged for making what the Bible calls “a joyful noise.”
I can "sing unto the Lord" in private no matter how hoarse or scratchy my tonal quality. If I can't sing aloud, I can “make melody in my heart." I sing for an audience of One, Jesus. I'm determined to keep singing for Him and make the invisible hills surrounding the Shenandoah Valley also “come alive with music."
After all, the loss of my singing voice is just a temporary condition for this mortal segment of my life. By and by I may have the opportunity to sing with an angel chorus, if they accept non-angel members. Surely there is enough room in the vast universe for many choirs to praise God. The acoustics would be spectacular! I might not even have to audition since my voice will be perfect then. The music Up There must be fantastic and no health conditions or shortness of breath will need to be factored in.
Perhaps I'll be given the opportunity to fulfill my dream of learning to play an instrument in Heaven. I imagine there are other options than a harp. Perhaps one doesn't even have to practice because the “knowing how” is instant since everything happens in the Eternal Now. Cool!
I wouldn't be surprised if Handel or Mozart or Mendelssohn were still composing and conducting. For sure, Beethoven is no longer deaf and he is finally hearing his own compositions. Perhaps I'll have the exciting chance to sing King David's Psalms as he originally composed them!
The Rest of The Way
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2/12/2021 11:46:00 AM by: Leona Choy
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1/11/2021 10:40:00 AM by: Leona Choy
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12/14/2020 10:16:00 AM by: Leona Choy
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11/23/2020 3:45:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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11/9/2020 10:12:00 AM by: Leona Choy
EXTRA FOR ELECTION WEEK
10/31/2020 3:30:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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HANDS OFF!
10/26/2020 5:41:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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10/22/2020 3:12:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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VIEW FROM THE HEAVENLIES
10/15/2020 6:55:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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10/12/2020 6:18:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BUT IF HE DOESN'T?
10/8/2020 7:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
READY OR NOT—HERE I COME!
10/6/2020 5:41:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A TESTED HELP
10/5/2020 10:03:00 AM by: Leona Choy
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10/1/2020 11:54:00 AM by: Leona Choy
BEAUTIFUL TOGETHER
9/28/2020 6:16:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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SLEEP WITH OUR CLOTHES ON
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HOW DO YOU SMELL BY NOW?
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9/3/2020 10:59:00 AM by: Leona Choy
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8/31/2020 12:18:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MESSAGE FROM 8TH CENTURY B.C.
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GET UP OFF THE FLOOR
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7/16/2020 10:20:00 AM by: Leona Choy
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7/13/2020 11:23:00 AM by: Leona Choy
RUMBLE STRIPS AHEAD!
7/9/2020 10:50:00 AM by: Leona Choy
“WHATEVER IS LOVELY AND BRINGS PEACE...”
7/7/2020 10:49:00 AM by: Leona Choy
TO PLAN OR NOT TO PLAN
7/5/2020 7:25:00 PM by: Leona choy
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7/3/2020 6:50:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHAT'S OUT THERE?
7/1/2020 11:51:00 AM by: Leona Choy
“FULL OF SAP AND VERY GREEN”
6/28/2020 5:25:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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6/25/2020 2:42:00 PM by: Leona Choy
JUST FOR FUN
6/23/2020 1:18:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHO'S COUNTING?
6/20/2020 3:49:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PRAYER IS NOT FOR SISSIES
6/18/2020 7:23:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MY KITCHEN TIMER SPEAKS
6/16/2020 7:49:00 AM by: Leona Choy
SQUEAKING HINGES
6/14/2020 3:45:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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6/12/2020 5:46:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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6/10/2020 3:29:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TENDING TO MY CATERPILLARS AND COCOONS
6/8/2020 10:37:00 AM by: Leona Choy
STILL LEAPING UPSTREAM
6/6/2020 2:58:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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6/3/2020 11:27:00 AM by: Leona Choy
ARE WE THERE YET?
5/31/2020 9:14:00 AM by: Leona Choy
NEW WINE-SKIN PEOPLE
5/30/2020 10:22:00 AM by: Leona Choy
EARTH SUIT vs SPACE SUIT: Increasing Tension
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ONLY A CHAPTER
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5/22/2020 3:06:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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5/20/2020 5:44:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE INTRIGUE OF ISOLATION
5/18/2020 3:08:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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THOUGHTS FOR US “VULNERABLES”
5/13/2020 6:05:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHO WANTS TO PLAY STATUE?
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5/11/2020 9:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
GIANTS IN OUR FAMILY TREE
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METATHESIOPHOBIA!
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WRITE A TIME CAPSULE
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4/30/2020 3:02:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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4/29/2020 3:46:00 PM by: Leona Choy
LAST STRAW?
4/28/2020 2:37:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MY SURVIVOR ASSIGNMENT
4/25/2020 3:36:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SEGUE TIME
4/24/2020 3:33:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SURE, I'LL PRAY FOR YOU
4/23/2020 8:00:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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4/22/2020 3:50:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PARABLE OF THE DISORDERED EGG
4/20/2020 12:14:00 PM by: Leona choy
CHANTING THE PSALMS—A “JOYFUL NOISE”
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OUR GREEN ROOM/GREENHOUSE
4/16/2020 10:41:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PSALMS IN COLOR
4/15/2020 5:49:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TV WATCH AND PRAY
4/14/2020 5:26:00 PM by: Leona Choy
JUST PASSING BY?
4/9/2020 3:08:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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4/8/2020 5:09:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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4/7/2020 11:36:00 AM by: Leona Choy
THE UPSIDE OF DOWNTIME
4/6/2020 5:34:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ANNOUNCING! PANDEMIC READ-A-THON!
4/4/2020 8:14:00 PM by: Leona Choy
GOD'S OBSESSION WITH FRUIT
4/3/2020 5:09:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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4/2/2020 6:04:00 PM by: Leona Choy
GRAY CLOUD FOLKS
4/1/2020 9:15:00 PM by: Leona Choy
END OF THE STORY
3/31/2020 8:46:00 PM by: Leona Choy
RAVENS DELIVERY SERVICE
3/30/2020 9:45:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CALAMITY COMFORT
3/29/2020 9:58:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A DESERT FABLE
3/28/2020 11:06:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A PERSONAL MESSAGE
3/27/2020 11:49:00 AM by: Leona Choy
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3/25/2020 3:54:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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FALLEN ROCKS
3/23/2020 10:32:00 AM by: Leona Choy
HUNKERING AT EAGLE SUMMIT
3/21/2020 6:02:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TENT DWELLING
3/21/2020 12:14:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE
3/20/2020 2:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
HANDS ON THE PLOW
3/19/2020 3:27:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SUBMARINE LIVING
3/18/2020 11:59:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A NEW HAPPY DANCE
3/17/2020 10:20:00 AM by: Leona Choy
SOCIAL DISTANCING
3/13/2020 12:36:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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3/11/2020 6:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE MYSTERIOUS "SELAH" WORD
3/9/2020 10:58:00 AM by: Leona Choy
MY CLAP OFFERING
3/8/2020 3:04:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ONE DOLLAR DAFFODIL
3/7/2020 1:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BOUND BY AN INVISIBLE THREAD
3/4/2020 9:43:00 PM by: Leona Choy
NOT SILENCED
2/26/2020 12:15:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BEING OWLISH ABOUT WISDOM
2/24/2020 3:31:00 PM by: Leona Choy
"In the beginning..." before GOOGLE
2/22/2020 11:13:00 AM by: Leona Choy
PULLED FROM THE BRINK
2/20/2020 3:55:00 PM by: Leona Choy
APPLE OF HIS EYE
2/9/2020 12:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SINGING HER WAY HOME
1/31/2020 3:33:00 PM by: Leona Choy
EATIN' SHORTBREAD
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1/17/2020 1:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BUCKET LIST AGAIN?
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IN SEARCH OF A MAKEOVER
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11/23/2019 8:49:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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10/31/2019 2:38:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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WHO IS THE BOSS OF ME?
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LORD, MOVE MY MOUNTAIN!
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ANOTHER WAITING ROOM
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DON'T BE SHEEPISH
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THE VALUE OF SELF-TALK
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CARRY ME, FATHER
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ONLY TALK WITH YOUR MOUTH FULL!
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HO-HUM FAITH
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3/1/2019 12:06:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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2/19/2019 1:29:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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2/15/2019 10:42:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A SOMEWHAT GRUMPY CHAT WITH GOD
2/12/2019 9:54:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A FISH STORY
2/8/2019 3:40:00 PM by: Leona Choy
LET'S EAT NOODLES TOGETHER!
1/21/2019 3:07:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SATISFIED--A SECRET TO SHARE
1/11/2019 7:22:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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11/5/2018 8:58:00 AM by: Leona Choy
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11/3/2018 2:02:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A SHOUT-OUT FOR A NEW BUTTERFLY
10/31/2018 3:24:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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10/7/2018 5:53:00 PM by: Leona Choy
REPEAT OFFENDERS
9/30/2018 3:16:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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I DESERVE IT...DESERVE IT NOT....
9/13/2018 7:54:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
9/10/2018 12:35:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WAITING FOR GOD'S DUE TIME
9/3/2018 7:29:00 PM by: Leona Choy
STONES AND COVERUPS AND HOLY EARS
8/31/2018 10:44:00 AM by: Leona Choy
IT'S ALL ABOUT SHOES
8/29/2018 9:30:00 AM by: Leona Choy
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS MY CELL TOWER
8/27/2018 3:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
REJUVENATION GOD'S WAY
8/17/2018 8:49:00 AM by: Leona Choy
STUCK IN THE MUD?
8/13/2018 7:22:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR
8/8/2018 2:07:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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7/30/2018 3:00:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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7/25/2018 2:42:00 PM by: Leona Choy
Destiny Decisions
7/19/2018 10:25:00 AM by: Leona Choy
BEDROOM SLIPPERS OR HIKING BOOTS?
7/18/2018 10:44:00 AM by: Leona Choy
Hurrah for the Prepper Bridesmaids!
7/13/2018 6:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS?
7/10/2018 5:35:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BARNACLES
6/5/2018 2:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
