Sing your way to a great Easter

Walking through Woolworths last week, I looked at the Easter displays and found myself asking, ‘Why the bunny symbol again?’.

It turns out the rabbit’s association with Easter stems from its ancient symbolism of fertility and new life, particularly in the context of spring.  Oops, there you go. Here in the southern hemisphere, we are going into Autumn, but I guess that’s OK, isn’t it. It’s changed.

Many cultures, including the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, linked rabbits to change due to their prolific breeding and rebirth. Not only that, but rabbits are also a symbol of playfulness.

At this very point in time, the Edelman trust Barometer tells us we are in a ‘Crisis of Grievance’ and the newspapers are full of stories saying our election mirrors the Frazer/Whitlam election, stooping to new lows in economic policy. Personally, none of this brings a song to my heart. So, thank God for Easter.

Which is why I suggest you do just this – channel the bunny and sing. No bunnies don’t sing, but the idea of breathing, making sounds and playfulness are all inherent in the notion of Easter Bunnies and also in song.

Failing going to a church where you can sing along to your favourite hymn, think of your favourite song or nursery rhyme or turn on the radio and get inspired to find something you like. It’s not that hard really.

Then, give a great big breath out to empty your lungs and let yourself ‘be breathed’ as you let the fresh air flow in.

Now, open your mouth. With full lungs, breathe out again and start the vocal folds vibrating.

Yes, you can do it.

That’s singing.

That’s a fresh start.

Doesn’t matter what it sounds like. It’s how it feels.

It feels good.

Happy Easter break everyone.