Gratitude Attitude

Written by Greg Whitt Wednesday, 01 December 2010 00:00

Drum for Change's Logo - spreading good vibes for good lives.

With the Thanksgiving holiday behind us, I've had some time to reflect on all the things for which I am appreciative.  I was able to look back on my calendar and tally my activities over the past year.  I was truly surprised at how much Drum For Change had been doing!  In 2010, DFC facilitated more than 60 rhythm events, taught more than 50 drum lessons, and rescued more than two dozen drums.

This year's highlights included a DVD shoot + several fund-raisers and charity events + leading parks & recreation programming + performing at a half-dozen community, arts, and music festivals + drumming for dance and yoga classes + teaching private and group lessons + repairing and re-heading a dozen drums and retailing a dozen more + leading wellness and empowerment sessions + drumming for athletes in marathons and fun-runs + drumming with churches to embrace the divine through rhythm + drumming with students in elementary, middle, high-schools, and colleges + drumming with seniors to ring in the holidays + drumming for causes to raise awareness about those less fortunate + drumming with businesses to build better teams + drumming at parties to celebrate special occasions + drumming with towns to foster community + drumming to stories to enhance the moment + drumming with camps to make music with kids + drumming with hospitals to promote better health + drumming with people from other countries to promote unity and culture + drumming at theme parks to entertain the masses + drumming with friends -- because that's just what I do!  

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Painting by Tarish Pipkins

Drummers at Duke University

I expanded my skill set quite a bit this year, too.  I learned A LOT of new software for use in website design, photo management, and movie-making.  I joined professional networking groups.  I pitched programs in person and through written proposals.  I collaborated a whole bunch!!!  Several people deserve special thanks in that regard and these include my sweetheart Annelies Gentile (a wonder in her own right, a talent beyond measure, and a force to be reckoned with in terms of pushing my boundaries and horizons - thanks love!), Tony & Melissa Griffin (the backbone of the Raleigh Drum Circle community), Susan Petrie (a fellow facilitator who was once my drum student and who now regularly teaches me a thing or two), Ken Wierzbicki (also a former student, who has been a great supporter at many drumming events this year), Rob Fowler (a patient and forgiving webmaster who has taken me into new realms of technology), pal Scott Swimmer (founder of drumSTRONG - an organization that serves those facing cancer but that has also provided me with many opportunities to exercise my skills, to travel, and to make many, many great new friends) and finally my two mentors - Jana Broder and Arthur Hull who are a wealth of information for shaping both my business and my facilitation skills.

Without doubt I am hugely thankful for all this and so much more.  This attitude of gratitude has carried me far and wide this year.  Mostly I am grateful to have a community that supports my work; one that understands the importance of connecting, cooperating, and communicating.  Drum for Change exists to set this example through rhythm.  To paraphrase author, music-therapist, and drum circle facilitator Christine Stevens, "Without the drums we're simply a group of people working toward a common goal."  For me, it's all about building relationships, fostering community, and celebrating life through music.  The drums are simply the vehicle to get us there.  

In rhythm,

-Greg