Basking in the moment

Donna Brown's tendency to forget that a part of her is extraordinary can cause her to forget some of her most extraordinary moments. But lately she is appreciating more of those moments—some from the past and a great many in the present.

While working with a vocal student recently she rediscovered a videotape of her 1991 Tokyo performance in "The Magic Flute." She recalled how exceptional were the people involved in that production. Seeing and hearing it again was like experiencing it for the first time.

"I was blown away," she said. "I'm lucky it was recorded because I had no idea how wonderful that performance was."

"When I was younger, everything was happening around me and I was not always aware."

Inspired by recent readings of the Dalai Lama, Brown is now more at ease with the part of her that is undeniably extraordinary.

"It's good to be confident and positive about yourself," she says.