About JILTOA

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JILTOA is an acronym for "Joyful In Life, Triumphant Over Adversity". It came to me at a time when my mother was dying and a number of other circumstances led me to contemplate my life's purpose. While lying in a hammock, the words "Joyful and Triumphant" came to me, an epiphany from my favourite carol "O Come All Ye Faithful". Within seconds JILTOA was born - this was how I wanted to be and be remembered. JILTOA has become my email address, and more recently my business name to remind me of how I want to be.

To be JILTOA means

• to see adversity as an opportunity to meet challenges and grow.
• to do what you love to do with those you love.
• to find the joy in whatever you do.
• to bring joy into the lives of others.

JILTOA's mission is to bring joy into teaching and learning by providing professional development opportunities and resources for teachers and students that will enhance their experiences as learners by building confidence and a positive attitude. Read about JILTOA's services.

I passionately believe that Music Engages Our Whole Selves (MEOWS) through our ears, eyes, body, mind and heart, and that through this experience we learn to solve complex problems and experience flow, that unique moment when time stops and we lose ourselves in achieving the mastery of our expressive purpose.

"The best moments [in our lives] usually occur when a person's body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile. Optimal experience is thus something we make happen."

Mihaly Csikszentmihaly, Flow

In today's world of quick fixes instant gratification, I believe that music has a unique role to play in the education of children by giving them the power to make optimal experience happen in their lives through their own efforts with the guidance of their teachers.

In this work I have been influenced by the work of Martin Seligman on Authentic Happiness, Mihaly Csikszentmihaly on Flow, and by my family, friends and mentors who have contributed so much to my existence.

My hope is that you find JILTOA within yourselves.

Best Regards

Susan

References

Csikszentmihalyi, M.  (1997).  Finding Flow.  New York.  Basic Books.

Csikszentmihalyi, M.  (1996)  Creativity:  Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention.  New York:  Harper Collins.

Seligman, M. (2002).  Authentic Happiness.  Australia:  Random House.

Seligman, M. (1992).  Learned Optimism.  Australia:  Random House.