Comparison is the Thief of Joy

If you’re a church musician, I’m guessing you’re feeling the pressure of this time of year with Holy Week and Easter just around the corner. This time of year, I would love more rest and pause, a very challenging task in such a hectic time.

Sometimes I’ll remember the saying that “Comparison is the thief of joy.” It’s especially helpful in a time that’s extremely busy. Inevitably, I might think “I really should have confirmed x logistic much earlier.” The word should is often a warning sign that I need to treat myself with less judgment and more self-compassionate. If I’m not careful, that should could lead my mind down the rabbit hole to “Why couldn’t I be like so and so who always seems to be on top of everything?” It’s so easy to fall into the comparison game that we can forget that we all have unique gifts and skills. There are certain gifts God has given each one of us and each one of us has skills we’ve honed over the years. That’s what makes all of us unique and a blessing to our singers. The combination of gifts and skills in us is something to celebrate, not compare to others.

I’ve also heard the saying in context of comparing myself to another singer or comparing a choir I direct to a choir at a different organization. Especially since there are so many choral performances online, it’s so tempting to think or ask “I wish I had that many singers” or “Why can’t my choir sound like that or do that kind of repertoire? I can’t seem to get it together.” Whoever our singers are, they are deserving of our very best energy and teaching. While the balance of our ensembles may not be what we wish, or we yearn to do certain types of repertoire, we can help enable our choirs to have inspiring, emotional experiences. We can teach technique, musicality, etc. no matter the repertoire we choose. Those are things we can rejoice in.

I’ve also thought of another context of “Comparison is the thief of joy”. Especially with the pandemic having disrupted so much, it is so easy to compare our current situation to “back then”. Perhaps our numbers in our choirs may have diminished. Perhaps we haven’t been able to do certain types of large-scale musical events because of protocols related to the pandemic. Since I’m in a full-time church setting, I can focus and communicate to my choir members that God moves and speaks in this time period. Today. In each rehearsal and worship service. The more I can do to communicate that message, the more I believe that singers are less tempted to make those comparisons to a former time. And the more singers can focus on God and lead the congregation in worship.

We can also use this time to remind of the mission of our organizations so that we can be flexible with the format or programming of events we produce or worship services we lead.

I’m guessing that your Holy Week and Easter Sunday selections are in the final stages of preparation. In case you’re looking for a few anthems for the Easter season after Easter Sunday, here are two wonderful selections:

With a Voice of Singing by Martin Shaw. With all its Alleluias and the message, it is a joyful and lively piece.

Risen Today by Dan Forrest. This is one of the pieces for Easter Sunday the Adult Choir is working on and we’re really enjoying it.

https://beckenhorstpress.com/risen-today/

In case you need some music to help get centered and help get relaxed even in this busy time, there are two links I highly recommend.

I’ve encountered a number of lengthy, soothing instrumental music videos on YouTube. I’ve especially enjoyed this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRrVtFnG_x4&t=10578s

I’ve also enjoyed listening to a lot of music by George Winston. There’s something about his album Forest that calms me down.

Are there activities that help you rest and pause, even briefly? Is there music that helps you find rest and pause? If so, comment below! May we all find moments of rest in chaotic and busy times.