We’re in a line, all fifteen of us. Our three teachers have asked us to stand in front of the room and face them - think like a reverse firing squad but instead of bullets they just tear you apart verbally. They had a different idea for this exercise, though. Our instructor asked us to answer one question from the bottom of our hearts, “What do you want? What do you really want?”

Here’s the thing, all fifteen of us are millennials training to be professional opera singers 200-400 years after this stuff was first written. Naturally, most of the answers are the same. For student singers the “dream” is to be an internationally acclaimed opera singer presenting the music of Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, and other Classical composers in major opera houses around the world blah blah blah blah. But, it’s in our blood! This sentence is like an oath we all take in our first ever voice lesson, that and to pee pale to prove hydration. But that’s the dream right? Isn’t it?

I’ve never really been sure about it. “The Dream” always felt overwhelming, claustrophobic even. It’s a lot of pressure for something very few people still care about. I care about it and love it very much, but I’ve definitely had to adapt how I want to present it. I strove to master the technique and improve my artistry. But I still wasn’t happy with it. What were we singing for? To whose benefit?

There is so much happening in the world right now. Every day can feel like a barrage of negative information is flooding our TVs and News Feeds. What can singing some songs do? What role does Classical music have in times of turmoil. From that perspective, nothing. Superficially it’s just beautiful noise. But when we dig deeper into the art we find so many parallels to today’s societies - centuries apart. That’s what our voices can do, no matter how we use it. I sing for awareness, for advocacy even. I communicate for social justice.

So, I figured out the answer to my teacher’s question. Confidently, I said it aloud in front of my whole class and reverse-firing-squad. The reaction was uncomfortable, but not unkind. I guess the word for that is confused?

My classmates face me looks that said things like “Aww!”, “Good try, Michael!”, and one particular set of eyes that said “Bro, that was the wrong answer.” My teacher looked at me, smiling, but completely bewildered. Like I had suddenly grown a pair of antlers and she was trying to figure out how to politely let me know. That look then shifted to eyes that said “...and?!” But that was it, it was all I had,

"I want to Be Well and Do Good."

I liked my answer:

To Be Well is to take care of yourself, holistically. To take into account your mind, your body, and your ‘spirit’ *or whatever word you would use to describe your deepest sense of self*. For me it means checking in with my mental health, making sure I’m not harboring any unnecessary stress. It’s balancing a diet to satisfy my body’s needs, and exercising to strengthen my mind-body connection. For my spirit I celebrate little joys, simple pleasures - my morning cup of coffee, yoga and meditation, sitting down to write, etc. These are the things that nourish my sense of my deepest and truest self.

I don’t pretend to have mastered this. I’m still identifying my deficiencies and how to fix them. It’s a process, a practice. But I’ve also made progress, and that’s something to celebrate!

To Do Good is 1. grammatically sound so relax, and 2. very subjective. It’s an answer to this idea: In what ways can you impress upon your surroundings? In what ways can you do good for others, to give of yourself without any expectation of self-benefit? I’ve already said where I’ve found my method to Do Good. Whatever it is that gives you this feeling is how you do good. Large and subtle gestures are equals in this - shoveling your neighbors driveway is a joyous as helping the homeless or donating to charity. Goodness, and kindness, shouldn’t keep score in my opinion.

Be Well & Do Good has become a mantra I’ve cultivated for myself. It keeps my focus centered, allows me to stay on track, and provides a moment of positivity when times feel dark.

If mine resonates with you, please use it! Personalize it and pass it on. If not, I strongly encourage you to make a mantra of your own.

It’s something that goes beyond a New Years Resolution or an affirmation. It’s a reminder of your ability to be your best self - whatever in the world that means to you - with, perhaps, some instructions attached.

So I say, once agan,

B E W E L L & D O G O O D .

In bocca al lupo