Selectively Juggling

When given the luxury of working remotely, I either play gentle background music, preferably meditative or new-age-world or opt for complete silence. I have eclectic tastes, everything from new wave 70’s romantic punk rock to everything contemporary. Albeit, I just can’t or don’t do heavy metal or country music. Those two genres are diametrically opposed to my own personal musical sensitivities. No offence meant as I know we have unique musical tastes. My friend listened to heavy metal for the entirety of her university study, claiming that it relaxed her. She even claimed that she like to drive listening to heavy metal music, as it calmed her down. Let me say if I listened to anything other than chillaxed music while driving, Id have a dozen driving offences because “heavy metal and my foot hits the pedal”.

Music is significant to me, as it’s intricately woven with my visual memories and emotions. My life is punctuated by music, song and lyrics. Music adds additional texture and meaning to life. Music is a powerful medium, and I need to use it accordingly.

When working from home, I often prefer to create a ‘mechanical silence’ space where only natural sounds are welcome to penetrate my work-related thought bubbles. These are the joyful sounds of birdsong. Sweet, sweet natural birdsong. I’m lucky to live in an area with abundant birdlife and birdsong. Where others may be distracted by the sounds of magpie warble, the shrill call of a cockatoo, or the laugh of the kookaburra, I find joy. I find solace. I find balance.

Those moments of spontaneous birdsong are used as a quick mindfulness break from work. I focus on the moment, the sounds of the birds, taking a minute to just ‘be’ … breathing and resetting, before delving back into the work-based conversation, writing or online meetings/sessions. Birdsong is the equivalent of some metaphorical real-life fourth wall.

I should create my own music track of nothing other than the occasional melodic call of nature, of Magpies, Currawongs, Cockatoos, Crows, Butcher Birds, Black Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos, Rainbow Lorikeets, Rainbirds, Strike Tits, Wrens and the list goes on. I could add some frog calls, as they’re also a delightful reminder of nature within the human-built environment. I’d call the track ‘In flow with my bird buddies’. I wonder if it would help create the ambience needed at work? I tell my kids stories about birds and birdsong, saying that when they are much older, and I am no longer walking this realm, when they hear birdsong, it will be me just popping in to say hello. It will simply be a sign, a moment of me sending my love and encouragement from beyond life’s fragile veil. regardless if they believe it or not, or even if I believe it, it would be nice knowing that it could be a source of future joy, comfort and support.

When I hear the sounds of Black-Sulfur Crested Cockatoos in the far distance, my inner child jumps for joy, excitedly, bounding out of the chair and running outside to glimpse the incredible creatures in full flight. I have an actual visceral response. They fly low overhead, with their large feathered majestical bodies appearing in slow motion. Their power and unique beauty are rivalled only by a few. In those moments, I’m instantly transported from suburban Sydney to the banks of the Baaka (Darling River) on the traditional lands of the Barkindji people. I relive the moments of being greeted by the incredible sights and sounds of Red-Crested Black Cockatoos nesting in ancient river gums. In those moments, I feel connected to the birds, delighting in their energy. I feel grateful that I not only get to witness the birds in all their glory but also that I am able to draw from the experience. It may sound strange to those who aren’t particularly connected to nature! I respond similarly to Eagles and Peregrine Falcons, deriving great joy in watching their sublime beauty and power.

I long to be both part bird and part dolphin, as I have a deep love of both the sky and the water. My imagination allows me to be just that, both bird and dolphin. I am at home under the water, swimming amidst the pockets of air bubbles rising to the top. Interestingly, the sounds of silence are amplified in the water. Although in Iceland, placing your head underwater was met with what could only be the sounds of the earth screaming. Seismic sounds emanating from deep below the surface. It was definitely an experience. On an unrelated side note, I adored Iceland; it truly was the land of fire and Ice. It was an otherworldy, strange place of immense beauty. Well worth the visit. As I am writing this, my mind is drawn to a family of Kookaburras filling the sky with their song. Ah, bliss!

Returning to the question, my mind needs to focus on my work, critical analysis skills, and writing subsequent reports and documents. My listening and analysis skills are critical components of my work. I spend considerable time listening to other people’s stories, words, unspoken messages, body language, tone and intonation. Listening to music is more of a hindrance than a support. Although there are a few occasions where it is crucial.

When working from the office, I close the door in an attempt to shut out the outside noise, distractions and sounds. I rarely listen to music as it impedes my laser focus or hyperfocus on my work. I don’t need to listen to music as my internal voice or dialogue is incredibly switched on, almost as if narrating every word as I write, critiquing and reframing. Playing music is more of a distraction, as I inevitably find myself caught up in the melody, lyrics and song’s energy. That opens the door for a million connected thoughts and eventual daydreaming. That, my friend, is not very conducive to the work at hand. The only times I need to play music at work is to block out the sounds of noise (I work in a busy health-based setting) emanating from outside. Playing music in those scenarios helps me to recreate a space where I can focus, managing both my annoyance and the impact of the outside noises and sounds (which penetrate my focus, adding unwanted distraction). When fully engaged in my work, I am in what you could only describe as a “flow state.” I thoroughly enjoy being in this highly creative state. It is here that my purpose, passion, skills, personality and training merge into one.

To add further context, I’ve adopted a productive type of compartmentalisation that allows me to juggle many competing balls (demands) simultaneously. It allows me to prevent each demand from bleeding into the other or ultimately dropping them, shattering them into a million smithereens. Much like a giant ball of mixed-coloured yarn or wool, wound tightly together but still separate from each other. So as you can see, I adore music, I love listening to music, but most of the time, it’s not overly conducive to me doing my work well. Personally, to me, music is like a springboard into memory and daydreaming unless used as a tool to quieten intrusive outside noise that I have little or no control over. So I say bring on the bird song! let me get into ‘flow’ and then, after the working day is done, then dive deep into real music.