"Livin' the Dream!" I say this every time somebody asks me, "How's it going?" And yes, it is a way to divert attention from current struggles while adding an air of positivity and often jest. I often get a response such as "Whose dream are you living?", or "Is it a dream or a nightmare?", but what those people don't know is that we music educators have it made in so many ways.

What a great job! We get to work with young people, hopefully inspiring them to want to learn music in a way that will serve them through life. We get to go to work every day and be around music and music students! Music students are the best...Fight me! We get to travel, perform, go to conferences with amazing colleagues, and continue our own love of music through our job. What could be better?!

I will admit that I do not always feel the dream I'm living is the best. Those who know me will tell you that I have strong feelings about the current state of education and that my blood pressure is quick to build when discussing these things. However, when I can calm myself down and look at the amazing opportunities in my life, I am reminded that our profession truly is beautiful, and we are all lucky to be a part of it.

So, if you ask me "How is it going?", I will continue tell you I'm livin' the dream. Some days it's 100% true and other days it is a way to remind myself how lucky I am and to add some positivity to the craziness that is being a band director. I encourage you to pause and reflect on the blessings in your life, especially when you are feeling the squeeze of the job hitting you from all sides. Find a way every day to give yourself a shot of positivity. This way, you can be the dream weaver for yourself and for your students! Not only do your students deserve the best of you, but you deserve the best of you as well!

Get out there and live it!