Use Your Gifts: A Christmas Message

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Since this was such an unusual year, I thought I’d offer some motivation, musings, and some music to help you move forward, use your gifts, and keep the faith.

One funny thing that happened while recording the video is that, when it was time to jump in and drum, the song was at a different part than what I expected. I didn’t edit this out or re-record it because I realized that this was just like the pandemic: I got thrown off track at first but then quickly pivoted and improvised.

I wanted to play a jazzy song but I didn’t know this version and I had never played it before. I didn’t rehearse it beforehand. I just jumped in and thought “Well, here goes!”

Click the video below to see how it turned out.

Here are some bonus tips, with appropriate Christmas tunes. In drumming, as in life, you need to:

1. Listen: Do You Hear What I Hear?
2. Catch the beat: Little Drummer Boy
3. Use the gifts God gave you: We Three Kings
4. Improvise when necessary: Away in a Manger
5. Rise up! Rise Up Shepherds and Follow

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours! Here’s to better days ahead in 2021! Stay safe and be blessed!

Dori Staehle, MBA is from the Raleigh, NC area and is a certified drum therapist, percussionist, mentor, ADHD specialist, Toca percussion artist, and owner of Next Stage Drumming. Dori loves to share the joy and healing power of drumming! She also empowers teens and women to use their gifts. Dori is also an inspirational speaker and author of Find Your Divine Rhythm: A Creative’s Success Formula. She will soon be releasing her second book, which is about rising up and activating your purpose. Dori is able to work virtually with individuals and groups all over the world.