Dixon's Violin @dixonsviolin - Tumblr Blog

Have I lost it? Have I forgotten how to play the violin? I've had so many shows cancelled now so I'm just not playing much these days, which makes me sad and worry that maybe I won't be able to get my flow on again. And so I pick up my violin at home, tune up, and try...and begin to feel it once more! I've done this before - had dry spells for days, weeks, or months...and it always comes back. I might be rusty for a while, that's OK, it comes back. It can for you, too! What did you used to do that you enjoyed, but haven't done in a while and are curious about restarting? 💖🙏

If I'm going to have sex with someone, I can and should tell them my STI status and safer-sex practices, whether I am actively having sex with other people, etc. And I can and should ask the same of them - it is not an invasion of privacy in this case. Asking a stranger at the grocery store "pardon me, do you have syphilis?" is wrong - that's private information, but that changes if you're going to hookup with them. And the conversation should happen before the sex, not during - that'd be too late since your behaviors may already be affecting each other's health.

The same is true for covid. I can ask for someone's vaccination status, test results and covid-safety protocols before I share air with them. They can ask the same of me, it is not an invasion of privacy if we're going to share air. It should happen before sharing air since by that time our behaviors may already be affecting each other's health. Claiming privacy and demanding to be in a shared-air situation with someone would be like saying "I'm not going to tell you my STI status but I insist we still have sex". Yuck. No thanks, you're not allowed in my space.

It takes practice to have safer-sex conversations beforehand. Let's normalize safer-covid conversations, too 💖!🙏

#covidsafety #safersex #conversations #privacy #privacyendshere

Spending my birthday the same way I spent new year's eve: masked at home, taking care of those in my family that now have covid. It's really hard to see people you love in pain, sometimes crying or screaming. I'm grateful it's not worse. They're getting better, some faster than others. I'm doing fine (actually, health-wise I feel great), and I'm glad I got boosted when I did, to give me the best chance to be able to support them. Omicron is no joke, people - be conscious with your choices.

We welcome your love and support, and to be clear we're not looking for unsolicited advice - we have a treatment process that's working, thank you all 💖🙏

Happy (almost) new year! My monthly newsletter is out, covering my recent TED talk video, tour updates, more: https://mailchi.mp/dixonsviolin/2021-12-30-news

Good news: additional Humankindness T-shirts, hoodies, and CD/Flash drive box sets are now available at dixonsviolin.com/store. I appreciate your support! Thanks for spreading the Humankindness positive vibes 💖!🙏

My gift to you, and hope for the world - a message delivered by electric violin 💖🙏 My TED talk is now online!

LAST DAY to order Humankindness tee shirts and hoodies!!!

Link to order:

https://dixonsviolin2021.itemorder.com

Who’s joining us in the forest? 😃🌲⚡️

Only 5 days left to order your Humankindness tee shirts and hoodies!

For the first time in my 11 years of being a musician, I'm excited to now have Humankindness T-shirts available in person at my concerts - and both T-shirts and hoodies available online for a limited time only at this link: https://dixonsviolin2021.itemorder.com I designed the artwork myself and did a lot of research to find a supplier that was ethical (no sweatshops) and environmentally mindful, so that you can feel really good about wearing something that also has a positive message

Important notes:

* Online orders are open now at the above link, and will close on December 12th - then all are processed together in a single batch. It will take 2-3 weeks to produce, so they likely will not arrive before Christmas. Thank you for your patience and support - I am a small business using a local small business for this.

* I honor all genders and body types! While I try to use gender-neutral language, the clothing industry tends to be gender-stereotypical and binary. I'm doing my best working within this environment. The shirts come in two shapes/cuts: what they label as "Unisex" are fairly straight, with slightly longer sleeves and a smaller neck opening. What they label as "Ladies" are fitted (smaller around at the waist), have shorter sleeves and a larger neck opening. I support all humans getting whatever version feels good for you!

* The fitted ("Ladies") shirts run small - if you're used to standard boxy shirts - so go a size up. If you are familiar with fitted T-shirts, the sizing is actually pretty accurate.

Humankind + Kindness = Humankindness

I’m often seen with a big smile, but I face serious challenges regularly. Yes, I have tremendous joy in my life, and doing what I do, especially during a pandemic, is incredibly difficult. Getting rejected by events, events getting canceled, driving hundreds of miles to pour my heart out to a small crowd, then barely breaking even, and being away from friends and family for days, weeks, or even months. I do it because I believe in the power of personal transformation. I take what I do very seriously. Even if I only inspire one person in the audience, it makes it all worth while. You are the reason I do this. What challenges do you face and what inspires you to keep going?

Florida tour begins! Headed south, 12 concerts in 14 days. What adventures do you have planned?

What's your style: pullover or zip-up? I've heard strong opinions on this 😂 Get 'em while you can (at https://dixonsviolin2021.itemorder.com), and thank you for supporting us on Small Business Saturday!

This made me all teary-eyed 😭 I love my forest fam, and am honored to have a cameo in this beautiful video 💖!🙏

Humankindness T-shirts and hoodies! For the first time in my 11 years of being a musician, I'm excited to now have Humankindness T-shirts available in person at my concerts - and both T-shirts and hoodies available online for a limited time only at this link: https://dixonsviolin2021.itemorder.com I designed the artwork myself and did a lot of research to find a supplier that was ethical (no sweatshops) and environmentally mindful, so that you can feel really good about wearing something that also has a positive message 🙂

Important notes: * Online orders are open now at the above link, and will close on December 12th - then all are processed together in a single batch. It will take 2-3 weeks to produce, so they likely will not arrive before Christmas. Thank you for your patience and support - I am a small business using a local small business for this. * I honor all genders and body types! While I try to use gender-neutral language, the clothing industry tends to be gender-stereotypical and binary. I'm doing my best working within this environment. The shirts come in two shapes/cuts: what they label as "Unisex" are fairly straight, with slightly longer sleeves and a smaller neck opening. What they label as "Ladies" are fitted (smaller around at the waist), have shorter sleeves and a larger neck opening. I support all humans getting whatever version feels good for you! * The fitted ("Ladies") shirts run small - if you're used to standard boxy shirts - so go a size up. If you are familiar with fitted T-shirts, the sizing is actually pretty accurate.

Humankind + Kindness = Humankindness 💖🙏

Gave another TED talk! This week I was honored to perform at TEDxDetroit, and I was so excited and nervous beforehand! I had a big idea to express, which was both technically challenging and a journey through multiple emotions - with a time limit of only 4 minutes! I practiced for days, lost sleep, finally realized I had done all I could do, and felt ready. When it was my time, I did my best - and I'm thrilled with how it turned out! Keep an eye out for the video to follow 🤩 This was my fourth TEDx performance (whoa!), and folks have been asking "how do you get selected" to do a TED talk? Actually, usually you can submit an application yourself to your local TEDx conference - there are regional events all over the world and they usually have an open application process. They'll often post a "call for submissions" a few months before the event. While there are some cases where the process is closed ("don't call us, we'll call you"), or they reach out individuals, the majority is open to you to take initiative and assert yourself. People assume that my phone is ringing off the hook, or that I can perform at any event I want. I wish! The reality is that I am constantly reaching out to events asking if I can be involved - and I am turned down (or ignored) the vast majority of the time. I have gotten so used to this "rejection" it doesn't bother me at all - I know I'm not being rejected, it just means for whatever reason this isn't a fit this time. I keep applying myself. When you plant enough seeds, some of them will sprout! What's your idea for a TED talk? When's the last time you've sent an application to something big? Keep planting those seeds - you can do it 💖!🙏

Random acts of kindness. Recently I slept overnight at a rest stop (this happens a lot while I'm touring). The next morning I was making my coffee, standing outside my car, when someone came up to me and asked if I would like some cashews and grapes. They were holding a plate of these which I assumed they were sharing with folks at the rest stop - how nice! - so I said yes thank you I'd love a couple. As I was reaching to take a small portion they said "no, I mean all of these - I made you this plate", and they handed me an entire paper plate full of grapes and cashews! I was blown away. A stranger just did this to be nice and it meant so much to me! It so very possible to be nice to others, and a little kindness goes a long way. What random act of kindness have you experienced lately? 💖🙏

(my #humankindnesstour continues tonight in Dayton, then Lansing, Kalamazoo, Pittsburgh, Muncie...) #randomactsofkindness #kindnessmatters #benice #gifting

Humankindess tour continues across 6 states, where will I see you?

(tour details at bandsintown.com/dixon'sviolin and on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tours/526467474510501/ )💖!🙏

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