Beast Blog: The Calm In The Storm

The Calm In The Storm

I’ve been on this planet a long time at this point and I can’t ever remember such a time of sustained chaos and negativity.  It can seem that cruelty and fear are swirling all around me, and I am tired of feeling disappointed in my fellow man.  But there is a way through this, and I’m determined to keep working to find it.

I believe the answer is Gratitude.  We are in the season of gratitude, and yes, it can seem like a cliche in these difficult times.  But we are what we focus on.  We become what we think about all day.  So I’m determined to think about hope and generous people and loving friends because I want more of those things in my life.

I encourage you to take time each to remember things you are grateful for.  Think about people who support and encourage you.  Remember times when you felt true joy.  Look back at pictures and be reminded of special moments and special people.

The picture with this blog is from the stunning Jeronimos Monastery in Belem, just outside Lisbon, Portugal.  It is considered the greatest example of Manueline gothic style in all of Europe, and the spectacular stone work and craftsmanship is incredibly inspiring.  I share this picture because it reminds me of a moment I’m incredibly grateful for.  My husband Steve and I were fortunate to travel to Lisbon this past June and spent a morning touring this historic site.  This was followed by a treat of the famous Pastel de nata from the renowned Pastelaria de Belem pastry shop.  I will never forget this experience, or the first taste of the classic custard tarts sprinkled with cinnamon.  Something to be grateful for indeed!

Take time to savor wonderful moments over the next weeks.  If something special happens, stop and savor it for a bit.  Don’t rush on to the next thing, but stop and enjoy those moments because they matter…and they add up.  Work to be present, and one way to do this is to allow yourself to stop and savor moments that bring joy.

I have been thinking a lot about gratitude as I am in the process of selling the Marching Roundtable podcast and resources.  The process of handing off the work of the past 15 years has swept me up in memories and gratitude.  I have so much appreciation for the amazing work that so many talented designers and educators have done in our activity, and even more gratitude that they were always willing to stop and talk with me about it.  The most successful professionals in the marching world are always willing to share their expertise, wanting those that follow in their footsteps to be successful and hopefully not make all of the mistakes they made.  Of course, these mistakes are the building blocks of their success, but their willingness to share and talk with me has been inspiring and humbling.

So many people and organizations have supported our work with the podcast and at Marching Arts Education over the last 15 years.  From sponsors like Fred J. Miller, Inc. to powerful entities like Drum Corps International, so many people have entrusted us with their brand and encouraged us to keep doing the work to share information that will help everyone do better and enjoy their work more.  From our editor, to our web guru, to those that hosted conversations, I cannot thank everyone enough for their hard work and support.  And for all those who have listened and supported our work, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I am full of gratitude, and if I find myself feeling caught up in the storm of noise and ignorance in the world, I stop and look at pictures and think about all the times that others have been kind and encouraging to me.

Savor each moment over the holiday season and take time to say thank you to those who are helping you navigate each day with love and kindness.

Tim Hinton

November 21, 2025

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