Tonight's Vespers (Tuesday Evening Prayer week II), include Psalm 49. It includes this line:
I will turn my mind to a parable,
with a harp I will solve my problem.
David solved his problem, which was apparently temptation to jealousy over the properity of his wealthy enemies, by realizing that, well, "you can't take it with you." The antiphon adds Our Lord's completion of this idea: Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.
But I got stuck on with a harp I will solve my problem.
Without having to compose songs with profound insights, I too, can solve my problem with my harp.
That is, by playing (badly) my violin, or (somewhat better) singing or playing piano. Or at the very least I can de-stress, forget my problems for a while, and later see things in perspective for having taken that music break.
Admittedly, I'm likely to be singing/playing Broadway showtunes and some embarrassing but nostalgic top 40 hits from my misguided youth.(don's ask which ones unless your willing to tell me yours.) But sometimes it's hymns as well.
Tonight I'm finishing sample chapters from not one but two potential books to pitch at the Catholic Writers Guild Conference this week, and packing up for the five hour drive that will take me there. Leaving tomorrow and I still haven't put together that dressed for success outfit, or decided which purse/briefcase/portfolio to use. And it's one hot night.
I think I'd better burst into a medley of "My Favorite Things", "Some Enchanted Evening" "Bennie and the Jets" and "Nearer My God to Thee" before I do anything further about the mess of clothing and luggage on my bed.
That should solve my problem.
