Today, I had a brief setback, but it was a good thing for three reasons. This morning I woke up with the same numbess I had im my fingers six months ago. That's because last night, I fell asleep without my elbow brace.  The first reason this was a good thing is that the numbness only lasted about a minute.  The second reason it was a good thing is that even though my fingers are still a bit numb, I could see how much improvement there has been over the past six months.  The third reason it was a good thing is that it confirmed my suspicion that the compression is primarily in my elbow and that it's my sleep position moreso than playing the flute that is the culprit.  I'm glad I learned this. You can bet I was scared when I first woke up, though.

I’ve performed at two more churches since my last blog
entry.  Once at Unity Unitarian in  St. Paul, which was another full program of flute solos with an  accompanist.  And once at Spirit of  Hope in Golden Valley, where I played one solo and got to enjoy my very first  experience “jamming”with a spirit band!!   I’m going to have to insist that  all my students perform in church.   It’s so uplifting.  It’s  great to play for such an appreciative audience and it doesn’t have to be  perfect. But it helps a lot if it  sounds like you mean what you play.
 
Obviously, I still have a ways to go. My lips are  a lot more out of shape than I had previously realized. But I’m practicing quite  a bit. And that fact has taught me
something about motivation.  I am  now convinced that human beings simply have a genetic aversion for
futility. Seriously.   When my fingers were out of control, practicing was frustrating torture.  I had to make myself do it. Now, I can hardly wait and I can’t stop once I  start.  And when I do stop, I think  about it. If I want motivated students, I need to make sure they have the  information and the strategies they need to reach desirable goals.  It just might be as simple as  that.
 
Just for the record, my fingers are still a little numb, but not  interfering with coordination.  I
think it’s called “peripheral numbness” and it’s more annoying than anything  else.  They test that by  blindfolding you and touching you lightly with a cotton ball or something.  But it’s getting better. 
I’m confident I’m headed for a full recovery.   I read in a chat room that the nerves regenerate at 1mm per month or some  outrageously slow pace.  So, it  might be awhile.