Teddy Bear Songwriting

Everyone has a teddy bear-a thing they do or a thought they have or a favorite item that helps you do your best at times when you feel a little insecure. It might be your "lucky" pair of jeans, a favorite hat, a mantra you like to hum, a prayer you say, that fuzzy raggedy stuffed horse that stands sentinel near your pillow or the old Canadian penny you found on the ground one day. It is something you can hold in your mind or in your hand or on your person that lets you feel you can do anything, and has seen your greatest triumphs and comforted you in your worst defeats. Here are a few ways in which you can use your teddy to help you get where you want to go in your songwriting that you might not have thought of. If nothing else, it will be fun, so bear with me.

KEEP YOUR MASCOT AROUND

Where do you like to write? In that favorite place, you should be able to take your teddy, or at least a picture of it or something that brings it to mind to keep it present at all times. Whenever you are stuck, try to take deep breaths then slowly exhale between them while looking at your teddy or at least thinking about it. Think of how it makes you feel as you get that air into your system and then remember to let it back out, used. It's amazing how, when we get stressed out, that we suddenly forget how to breathe, and need to remind ourselves of comforting things to get our stress levels down. Even more funny is how, after perhaps not even a whole minute of doing this, you will suddenly get at least some idea of how to proceed. Maybe it's the lack of oxygen in your brain, or maybe you just need your train of thought derailed so it can get back on the right track, but this silly system seems to help lots of folks. Funny, too, how so many of us get ourselves so uptight and forget how to unwind that need to remember to give ourselves a hug to let our minds know they are doing a good job, and you have faith in your brain. Teddies are good at reminding us of that.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR MASCOT

Our teddies tend to reflect how we feel about ourselves. If the lucky jeans are torn up, have you ever considered patching them? You may revive an old trend! You can cover them with tour patches from musicians that inspire you if you like, but do what you can to make them look NICE. Keep your teddy clean, repaired and something you wouldn't mind showing someone. If it looks like something that needs to be hidden, you will be surprised how you will tend to harbor some sort of small shame and shyness, yourself. Someday, if you become rich and famous, wouldn't you like people to see your music room with your hand-me-down Bible with all the pages glued in and a nice cover, even if well-worn, than something with the pages falling out of it and getting frayed at the edges where they are hanging out? Take care of both of you and don't neglect your outward appearance either. If you are taking the time to keep your lucky rabbit's foot clean and brushed-when was the last time you brushed your hair? Are you clean and well groomed? You are a team-take care of all the team members, and allow both to shine.

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