Intense and eager enjoyment........

Anyone reading this that knows me well will know that I can be quite hyperactive, silly at times, and possibly overly enthusiastic about things. I do sometimes get some strange looks from people, and it's only then that I realise that maybe I've forgotten where I am again!

But I've always wondered how someone can be overly enthusiastic when the dictionary defines enthusiasm as this:

Intense and eager enjoyment!!!! (exclamation marks added for effect!)

By definition, enthusiasm is an intense trait.

Anyone reading this that knows me well will know that I can be quite hyperactive, silly at times, and possibly overly enthusiastic about things. I do sometimes get some strange looks from people, and it's only then that I realise that maybe I've forgotten where I am again!

But I've always wondered how someone can be overly enthusiastic when the dictionary defines enthusiasm as this:

Intense and eager enjoyment!!!! (exclamation marks added for effect!)

By definition, enthusiasm is an intense trait.

Well, I am an enthusiastic and passionate person. I get enthusiastic about anything involving people, music, the arts, drama and so on. I can get just as excited writing a new song on my own at home, as I can when performing in a large scale production, I just love life, the experiences it brings, and the people I get to enjoy it with! Everyday is a gift, and like most people I really like getting gifts.

I received what I would consider a gift, or moreover, a very special moment this week when working with the Musical Inclusion Team at NMPAT. We had the opportunity to run a workshop for a brand new group of students we will be working with in the next academic year. These young people had never met us before, and we had never met them before as a group, so it was fair to say that no one knew what to expect.

I have to say I was extremely enthused by the enthusiasm of the young people, the staff, and my colleagues! Enthusiasm is infectious!

The faces of the young people lit up as we performed an impromptu piece of music on the flute, acoustic guitar, and the djembe. And then even more so when the students got to play the instruments themselves. They then each began to share their love for music, their passion for sound, song, and beats. Ukulele, guitar, piano, vocals, drums and percussion and other instruments were mentioned as they expressed their excitement about us coming back in September. It will be a weekly session, but they have asked for more than this!

I'm probably not expressing all this very well - but if I've enthused you then I've done my job!

In closing, it's important to add that due to personal difficulties these particular young people have struggled with mainstream school and have been placed in alternative education. They would be considered 'disaffected young people', and while I understand and appreciate this term, I will choose to regard them as some of the most wonderful, warm, friendly, and ENTHUSIASTIC young people I've ever met.

Happy days! :)