“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
I'm puzzled. Jig hasn't set a required length for the essay, given a submission date or even an indication of the criteria necessary to obtain a decent grade.
Ah sorry, A synopsis in 25words or less, submitted to me by Monday morning, You will never know the criterion , just get the mark at the end. No calculators allowed. And no copying!
Actually this quote comes from a woman named Marianne Williamson. I believe that Nelson borrowed it for one of his speeches and it is often confused as one of his quotes.
A: Truly embracing and respecting the values/qualities of traditional Irish music should in no way deny the ability and freedom to remain original and unique.
jig, that's a brilliant quote. All too often many traditional musicians put on a show of false modesty, thinking that it's almost part of the tradition, to just shrug off the fact that they've played their guts out and it sounded fantastic. I reckon there's some false modesty on this site as well, but I think the opposite would be much more painful to read.
Good morning class. Well its Monday morning here in sunny Ireland. I can now release the results of the competition. Due to the quality of work summited we have decided to award the cuddly toy to everyone! yeah, so just ring the number below to claim your wonderful prize.
987654321
[calls charged at 5£ a Minuit, call is guaranteed to not last longer than 25min]
Late entry's are welcome but you've no chance for the cuddly toy.
KML, I think I know what you mean, but I'm not sure... what would be the appropriate thing to do (i.e., not falsely modest) when you've played something really well?
I read the quote as having more to do with not "dumbing down" and making sure you reach your full potential. I don't know if it really applies in a session context because I don't think I've come across "dumbing down" - type behaviour there.
In this context i think it is a cultural thing, some cultures, such as the English, frown on an overt expression of satisfaction at achieving a successful 'performance' others such as the Spanish frown on false modesty, There you are expected to look around and go, how was that huh? F"£%$N brilliant huh!
grego - yes I read it like that also, but I was just adding to the original idea. Yes, what do you do? Maybe just smile, I don't know....Jig, I've found the false modesty thing quite strong in Ireland, like, Ah, jaysus I'm only after playin' a few oul' tunes there...
Key, In some cases i don't think that is false modesty, but genuine.
I was watching the comhaltas link just now and reflecting on the enjoyment expressed on both players and 'audience'. To my mind this feeling is enough, there is nothing false, just genuine enjoyment of a social and communal activity, The players are just playing, there is no additional ego thing happening, just sharing their love of Irish music.
After all, its really no big thing, no world shattering event, just a few auld tunes. Its not a cure for asthma, or cancer, or something really big like that.
>Its not a cure for asthma, or cancer, or something really big like that.
Oh, you'd be surprised, the power that music has on people's wellbeing.
But that's another kettle of bananas altogether....
Author Alice McDermott on winning the National Book Award for her novel "Charming Billy" back in 1998:
''I wouldn't be true to my Irish heritage if I thought this were entirely a good thing,'' Ms. McDermott said. ''I will clutch onto my Irish humility with great vigor.''
Oh yeah, heaven forbid you actually admit you did something unique. The green would jump right off the shamrock.
"...they're just some wee diddlee tunes..."
Yeah, we know, we know. Not sure why everyone loves them so much if they're so useless and devoid of higher meaning.
It's probably a defense mechanism. If everyone is trying their best to be as humble as possible, the amount of egotistical tossers is greatly reduced...not eliminated, mind you, but reduced...hopefully?
Most folks can’t engage in hyperbole and poetical speech about what they’re doing without becoming arrogant or snobby, which is why ethnic/cultural humility and immediate slagging or shooting down of those who dare to be high-falutin’ probably developed among the Irish, but I’m just speculating here. There’s also the feeling of “It could all be gone tomorrow” among Irish-Americans in particular. Wealth, good times, etc., it could all be gone tomorrow, so let’s just enjoy it, almost as if glorifying anything might make it go away, like a ‘jinx’ of some sort.
...and that last bit is a Famine holdover. The mentality of it and those descended from it still cast a shadow over the Irish mentality, at least here in America. "It always could be gone tomorrow" so don't get a big head about it and make a stink, just shut up and enjoy it while it lasts.
...and that's the view from this side of the psychological pond, back to you, Dr. Jung.
We shouldn't get upset by, or read things into cultural peculiarities. Canadians tend to raise the pitch of their voice at the end of sentences (eh?) and I've heard people from the US put this down to a lack of self confidence. It's nothing of the sort. On the other hand, many in the US will respond to "thank you" with "uh-huh", which can sound to a Canadian like a dismissive put-down - but is also nothing of the sort.
When you live within the culture you filter what you hear through trained ears. So "it was just a couple of wee tunes" isn't taken as false modesty or putting yourself down - it's just the way conversations go - an acknowledgement that a compliment was received.
Receiving you loud and clear Grego, loud and clear. But I still do think there is a hint of false modesty in the rural Irish makeup. (How dare I say that as I'm not one of them! - and you are, are you not? - maybe sometimes it takes an outsider to see it though.)
Isn't it funny that the actual words themselves imply denigration of what was done as opposed to simply acknowledging it by saying "Thank you"?
It’s the point exactly. So while “They’re just a few wee tunes” means “Thank you” what is being said is completely downplaying what was being complimented.
It's like the Irish being sorry for everything, as Brian Moore pointed out in some book or other. On my treks back to the oul' sod every couple of years I'm always struck by the way people say "sorry, can I get twenty Major and a packet of Tayto?"
Of course it translates int "excuse me, can I get..." or in posher places "pardon me, may I please have..."
Of course, "excuse me" and "pardon me" literally translate to "forgive me" or, well ... "sorry"
The words of Nelson Mandela
The words of Nelson Mandela
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
In what way does this apply to ITM?
# Posted on October 28th 2007 by piobagusfidil
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
OMG........now he's tripping
# Posted on October 28th 2007 by Enigma
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
yeah, mushroom season
# Posted on October 28th 2007 by ...
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
Was Nelson able to play mandola after he lost his arm?
# Posted on October 28th 2007 by GaryAMartin
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
Oh wow!!!
Thanks for this - I am going to frame it!!! A wonderful post.
D
# Posted on October 28th 2007 by WelshGuy
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
Beware! The magic morphic resonace of the mushroom meme...
http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~chrislees/Epilogus/epilogus1.html
# Posted on October 28th 2007 by wolfbird
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
I adore this quote.
# Posted on October 28th 2007 by possumawesome
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
I'm puzzled. Jig hasn't set a required length for the essay, given a submission date or even an indication of the criteria necessary to obtain a decent grade.
# Posted on October 28th 2007 by MacCruiskeen
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
Ah sorry, A synopsis in 25words or less, submitted to me by Monday morning, You will never know the criterion , just get the mark at the end. No calculators allowed. And no copying!
# Posted on October 28th 2007 by piobagusfidil
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
Actually this quote comes from a woman named Marianne Williamson. I believe that Nelson borrowed it for one of his speeches and it is often confused as one of his quotes.
# Posted on October 28th 2007 by Elda Rose
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
Sure and does it matter who originally said it?
But im sorry, your answer comes in at over 25 words, so you dont win the cuddly toy.
# Posted on October 28th 2007 by piobagusfidil
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
How does this apply to ITM?
Who am I to say I am not good enough to play with others and to share this music that I so dearly love.
(24 words)
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by nofrets
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
Q: How does this apply to ITM?
A: Truly embracing and respecting the values/qualities of traditional Irish music should in no way deny the ability and freedom to remain original and unique.
(Whew!)
Any chance of extra credit, jig?
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by Piece
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
Well im certainly impressed , But extra cred is up to the mediator general, who shall remain nameless, though i will of course put in a good word.
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by piobagusfidil
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
I think it means no matter how squeaky and out of tune those shrieking high notes are I should blow 'em as hard as I can.
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by sbhikes
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
Does this mean I can bring the stratocaster to the session. Slim.
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by chuneboi slim
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
I shall shake my eggs with pride, oh yeah!!
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by Mark Harmer
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
jig, that's a brilliant quote. All too often many traditional musicians put on a show of false modesty, thinking that it's almost part of the tradition, to just shrug off the fact that they've played their guts out and it sounded fantastic. I reckon there's some false modesty on this site as well, but I think the opposite would be much more painful to read.
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by Rudall the time
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
I knew a guy once who ended up not having to pay for his Nelson mandola
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by ...
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
Good morning class. Well its Monday morning here in sunny Ireland. I can now release the results of the competition. Due to the quality of work summited we have decided to award the cuddly toy to everyone! yeah, so just ring the number below to claim your wonderful prize.
987654321
[calls charged at 5£ a Minuit, call is guaranteed to not last longer than 25min]
Late entry's are welcome but you've no chance for the cuddly toy.
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by piobagusfidil
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
We have a grocer in our midst.
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by Dr. Dow
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandola
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by Saint
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
KML, I think I know what you mean, but I'm not sure... what would be the appropriate thing to do (i.e., not falsely modest) when you've played something really well?
I read the quote as having more to do with not "dumbing down" and making sure you reach your full potential. I don't know if it really applies in a session context because I don't think I've come across "dumbing down" - type behaviour there.
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by grego
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
In this context i think it is a cultural thing, some cultures, such as the English, frown on an overt expression of satisfaction at achieving a successful 'performance' others such as the Spanish frown on false modesty, There you are expected to look around and go, how was that huh? F"£%$N brilliant huh!
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by piobagusfidil
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by grego
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
grego - yes I read it like that also, but I was just adding to the original idea. Yes, what do you do? Maybe just smile, I don't know....Jig, I've found the false modesty thing quite strong in Ireland, like, Ah, jaysus I'm only after playin' a few oul' tunes there...
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by Rudall the time
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
Key, In some cases i don't think that is false modesty, but genuine.
I was watching the comhaltas link just now and reflecting on the enjoyment expressed on both players and 'audience'. To my mind this feeling is enough, there is nothing false, just genuine enjoyment of a social and communal activity, The players are just playing, there is no additional ego thing happening, just sharing their love of Irish music.
After all, its really no big thing, no world shattering event, just a few auld tunes. Its not a cure for asthma, or cancer, or something really big like that.
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by piobagusfidil
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
>Its not a cure for asthma, or cancer, or something really big like that.
Oh, you'd be surprised, the power that music has on people's wellbeing.
But that's another kettle of bananas altogether....
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by Rudall the time
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
Author Alice McDermott on winning the National Book Award for her novel "Charming Billy" back in 1998:
''I wouldn't be true to my Irish heritage if I thought this were entirely a good thing,'' Ms. McDermott said. ''I will clutch onto my Irish humility with great vigor.''
Oh yeah, heaven forbid you actually admit you did something unique. The green would jump right off the shamrock.
"...they're just some wee diddlee tunes..."
Yeah, we know, we know. Not sure why everyone loves them so much if they're so useless and devoid of higher meaning.
It's probably a defense mechanism. If everyone is trying their best to be as humble as possible, the amount of egotistical tossers is greatly reduced...not eliminated, mind you, but reduced...hopefully?
Most folks can’t engage in hyperbole and poetical speech about what they’re doing without becoming arrogant or snobby, which is why ethnic/cultural humility and immediate slagging or shooting down of those who dare to be high-falutin’ probably developed among the Irish, but I’m just speculating here. There’s also the feeling of “It could all be gone tomorrow” among Irish-Americans in particular. Wealth, good times, etc., it could all be gone tomorrow, so let’s just enjoy it, almost as if glorifying anything might make it go away, like a ‘jinx’ of some sort.
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
...and that last bit is a Famine holdover. The mentality of it and those descended from it still cast a shadow over the Irish mentality, at least here in America. "It always could be gone tomorrow" so don't get a big head about it and make a stink, just shut up and enjoy it while it lasts.
...and that's the view from this side of the psychological pond, back to you, Dr. Jung.
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
We shouldn't get upset by, or read things into cultural peculiarities. Canadians tend to raise the pitch of their voice at the end of sentences (eh?) and I've heard people from the US put this down to a lack of self confidence. It's nothing of the sort. On the other hand, many in the US will respond to "thank you" with "uh-huh", which can sound to a Canadian like a dismissive put-down - but is also nothing of the sort.
When you live within the culture you filter what you hear through trained ears. So "it was just a couple of wee tunes" isn't taken as false modesty or putting yourself down - it's just the way conversations go - an acknowledgement that a compliment was received.
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by grego
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
Receiving you loud and clear Grego, loud and clear. But I still do think there is a hint of false modesty in the rural Irish makeup. (How dare I say that as I'm not one of them! - and you are, are you not? - maybe sometimes it takes an outsider to see it though.)
# Posted on October 30th 2007 by Rudall the time
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
Grego’s right. (And his left, too.)
# Posted on October 30th 2007 by Bob himself
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
Isn't it funny that the actual words themselves imply denigration of what was done as opposed to simply acknowledging it by saying "Thank you"?
It’s the point exactly. So while “They’re just a few wee tunes” means “Thank you” what is being said is completely downplaying what was being complimented.
Inner-resting.
# Posted on October 30th 2007 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
Thanks Bob. Sure 'twas just a little notion I had - nothing too deep at all.
# Posted on October 30th 2007 by grego
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
It's like the Irish being sorry for everything, as Brian Moore pointed out in some book or other. On my treks back to the oul' sod every couple of years I'm always struck by the way people say "sorry, can I get twenty Major and a packet of Tayto?"
Of course it translates int "excuse me, can I get..." or in posher places "pardon me, may I please have..."
Of course, "excuse me" and "pardon me" literally translate to "forgive me" or, well ... "sorry"
# Posted on October 30th 2007 by grego
Re: The words of Nelson Mandela
Fascinating stuff. I wonder why. Who do I ask? An Ethno-Cultural Anthropologist-Psychologist?
# Posted on October 30th 2007 by SWFL Fiddler