Hey friends. Let me tell you a story.
Once upon a time, I was thinking about starting a blog (actually, I had to for a class) and I was trying to think of a URL for it. Around the same time, I watched a documentary on the life of an LDS concert pianist named Reid Nibley (Yes, Hugh's brother). When Reid was asked what advice he had for young piano students, all he said was, "Practice beautifully." That little phrase changed my perspective. Previously I had practiced mechanically, trying to memorize songs, perfect technique, all that jazz. But how much more enjoyable, how much more wonderful can practicing be, if every second that I'm at the piano, I am striving for beauty, for emotional connection with music, for purity in sound and feeling?
And outside of music, what if we lived every second like it mattered, not like it was a practice for something later?
I decided to take Nibley's "Practice Beautifully" one step further, and use the phrase "Live Beautifully" for my URL. Unfortunately, this phrase was already taken, so I had to throw a diminutive of my name in there, creating "livebeautifullyriss.blogspot.com".
This URL has been with me a long time, and I'm a bit attached to it. On the other hand, it's always bothered me a bit. The private meaning of the phrase, the awkward way "Riss" is thrown in there...it's just bothersome, really. So today, I said goodbye to that URL. The new one goes with the theme of all my titles, and still keeps the "aliveness" idea. I think it's just easier to remember and less unwieldy.
So here is what I ask of you, dear readers. I'm a bit worried that no one can find my blog now that the URL is different. I'm not sure if blogger will still list it in my followers' windows. So, can you do me a favor and comment if you can see this post? I'd sure 'prishiate it.
Once upon a time, I was thinking about starting a blog (actually, I had to for a class) and I was trying to think of a URL for it. Around the same time, I watched a documentary on the life of an LDS concert pianist named Reid Nibley (Yes, Hugh's brother). When Reid was asked what advice he had for young piano students, all he said was, "Practice beautifully." That little phrase changed my perspective. Previously I had practiced mechanically, trying to memorize songs, perfect technique, all that jazz. But how much more enjoyable, how much more wonderful can practicing be, if every second that I'm at the piano, I am striving for beauty, for emotional connection with music, for purity in sound and feeling?
And outside of music, what if we lived every second like it mattered, not like it was a practice for something later?
I decided to take Nibley's "Practice Beautifully" one step further, and use the phrase "Live Beautifully" for my URL. Unfortunately, this phrase was already taken, so I had to throw a diminutive of my name in there, creating "livebeautifullyriss.blogspot.com".
This URL has been with me a long time, and I'm a bit attached to it. On the other hand, it's always bothered me a bit. The private meaning of the phrase, the awkward way "Riss" is thrown in there...it's just bothersome, really. So today, I said goodbye to that URL. The new one goes with the theme of all my titles, and still keeps the "aliveness" idea. I think it's just easier to remember and less unwieldy.
So here is what I ask of you, dear readers. I'm a bit worried that no one can find my blog now that the URL is different. I'm not sure if blogger will still list it in my followers' windows. So, can you do me a favor and comment if you can see this post? I'd sure 'prishiate it.
Well.. I saw your post on f-book then clicked follow for this url... So I don't know. Sorry I'm no help!
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