It's hard to believe that a year has gone by since I wrote my first blog. So much has happened in this life of mine since then. There have been ups, downs, highs and lows. And, you, my friends, my readers, have been faithful to read, comment and encourage me each step along the way.
I'm hopeful that in coming days and weeks to be more faithful in making entries, as I continue to grow. There are many exciting things going on in my life right now. Friendships are being formed, shells are being broken and, while I'll admit that there's a bit of anxiety in my life right now, I'm excited at the twists and turns life has taken over these last couple of months.
So often I've written about hitting a brick wall, feeling like I had reached the end of my growth, but, more often than not, within a few days, the growth cycle starts right back up again. Thank you for following me as I've dealt with my anxieties, my break-up, my personal growth and my off-the-wall ramblings about life.
Here's my confession: This blog is an important part of my life, and your comments have been an important part of the last year. This has been my sounding board. Often times I'm more confused than grounded, often times I'm more distraught than at peace, but all in all, I believe that my life is headed in the right direction. I have to constantly remind myself to stay focused on the NOW, because that's truly all that I have. The last year has been filled with new friendships, new experiences, and in many ways, a new me. I'm excited to see where I'll be a year from now.
You may realize that I missed my gratitude blog for last week. It really wasn't intentional, but today, I express my deepest gratitude for accompanying me on this journey. Please keep reading. There's so much more to come...
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
GRATITUDE 09.19.08
My weekly gratitude is a little late this week, but that doesn’t mean my gratitude is diminished at all. As I think of the past week, I realize, as always, there is so much for which to be grateful.
I am most grateful this week for new friendships that are coming into my life, mostly a result of my involvement with the Magic City Choral Society. The last month of my life has brought so much enjoyment in my life, and I’ve broken a large part of my shell. Feeling more comfortable in my own skin, who I am as a person, a musician and finding a “voice” as it were in my community are bringing much gratitude into my life.
I am grateful for the special friendship that is developing between Clark and me. Who knows exactly where it will lead, but what I do know is that a beautiful friendship is developing. Our growing friendship is an exercise in patience on my part as well as self-discipline.
Here’s my confession: I have so many things for which to be grateful. Despite moments of fear, insecurity, depression, and some confusion, I have many more blessings in my life than I can count and, looking over the last few months, I’ve come a long way, baby. Even still, I’ve a long way to go.
I am most grateful this week for new friendships that are coming into my life, mostly a result of my involvement with the Magic City Choral Society. The last month of my life has brought so much enjoyment in my life, and I’ve broken a large part of my shell. Feeling more comfortable in my own skin, who I am as a person, a musician and finding a “voice” as it were in my community are bringing much gratitude into my life.
I am grateful for the special friendship that is developing between Clark and me. Who knows exactly where it will lead, but what I do know is that a beautiful friendship is developing. Our growing friendship is an exercise in patience on my part as well as self-discipline.
Here’s my confession: I have so many things for which to be grateful. Despite moments of fear, insecurity, depression, and some confusion, I have many more blessings in my life than I can count and, looking over the last few months, I’ve come a long way, baby. Even still, I’ve a long way to go.
Friday, September 12, 2008
GRATITUDE 09.12.08
This has been a strange week for me. I've experienced a plethora of emotions-running the gamut from happy, content and peaceful to anxious, frightened and on the brink of tears. Yet, through it all, I've endured.
A friend serendipitously reappeared in my life this week, while new friendships, I believe, are emerging. I'm learning many lessons along the path my life has taken. These lessons aren't always easy, but I'm finding, no matter the difficulty, they are essential to my growth as a human and an individual.
My house has been on the market now for nearly three months. Seems like it's been years. Frustration rears its ugly head sometimes. But, I try to pause in those moments of frustration to be grateful that I even have a home, for there are others are not as blessed. It is a financial burden I'd rather not endure, but again, I remind myself that it's ok. I just try to put it out of my mind, but that's often easier said than done.
I'm grateful to be alive. Life is full of twists and turns I'm sure I'll never completely understand. There are moments of celebration and moments I'm nearly reduced to tears. There are relationships in my life that are flawed, forgiveness that needs extending, and fears that are not easily quelled. In spite of it all, it's worth the effort to have a little more gratitude in my heart than bitterness.
Here's my confession; Despite the ups and downs of my week, I'm humbled and grateful for the experiences which have come my way. Learning to live in the now is one of the most difficult obstacles I face. Yet, each new dawn brings with it reminders of how wonderful this experience we call life truly is. It's an adventure. Kind words, smiles from a stranger, unexpected friendships and yes, even bumps and curves along the road are part of that adventure. It's easy to simply take parts of the adventure for granted. Our next breath is not guarantee, food and shelter could be gone in an instant. And so, it is today that I share with you my gratitude for the things in my life. I hope you'll take a moment to reflect on your gratitude as well.
A friend serendipitously reappeared in my life this week, while new friendships, I believe, are emerging. I'm learning many lessons along the path my life has taken. These lessons aren't always easy, but I'm finding, no matter the difficulty, they are essential to my growth as a human and an individual.
My house has been on the market now for nearly three months. Seems like it's been years. Frustration rears its ugly head sometimes. But, I try to pause in those moments of frustration to be grateful that I even have a home, for there are others are not as blessed. It is a financial burden I'd rather not endure, but again, I remind myself that it's ok. I just try to put it out of my mind, but that's often easier said than done.
I'm grateful to be alive. Life is full of twists and turns I'm sure I'll never completely understand. There are moments of celebration and moments I'm nearly reduced to tears. There are relationships in my life that are flawed, forgiveness that needs extending, and fears that are not easily quelled. In spite of it all, it's worth the effort to have a little more gratitude in my heart than bitterness.
Here's my confession; Despite the ups and downs of my week, I'm humbled and grateful for the experiences which have come my way. Learning to live in the now is one of the most difficult obstacles I face. Yet, each new dawn brings with it reminders of how wonderful this experience we call life truly is. It's an adventure. Kind words, smiles from a stranger, unexpected friendships and yes, even bumps and curves along the road are part of that adventure. It's easy to simply take parts of the adventure for granted. Our next breath is not guarantee, food and shelter could be gone in an instant. And so, it is today that I share with you my gratitude for the things in my life. I hope you'll take a moment to reflect on your gratitude as well.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
GRATITUDE 09.06.08
What an incredibly tiring week! As I look back over the week that was, I recall a week in which I was up to my eyeballs in music of one sort or another. I’ve have a few responsibilities added to my working with the church music program in the last few weeks, as I’ll be filling in for our director while her husband recuperates from open heart surgery. I’m grateful for the opportunity, but I realize just how focused I’ve become on doing everything just right. In addition to my responsibilities to my church choir, I also have added on the responsibility of being a member of the Magic City Choral Society.
And so, it is, this week, Music for which I am most grateful. Music is the one gift I have in my life for which I am truly grateful I’ve studied music for nearly 20 years, beginning with piano and then moving on to voice and a little bit of organ. I possess a Bachelor of Arts degree in music. I admit that I wasn’t the greatest student of music when I was in college, but as I’ve been working with the church choir and trying to find ways to motivate, educate and encourage the choir’s growth, lessons are coming back to me, little tid-bits of knowledge I thought long ago forgotten. As I gather on Tuesday evenings with my Choral Society, I’m reminded of the great memories I have of being a chorister. Yet, this time, it is different. This time, I’m doing it for fun, not for credit. It’s strange, when I stop and think about the place my musical talents have brought me, the places they are taking me. Music is the one stable in my life. I’m grateful for the place it has in my life, the amazing growth I’ve experienced as a musician over the last two years and the gifts, friendship and peace that music has brought into my life.
I’m grateful to be reconnecting with many of the friends from my past through facebook. What an amazing tool. Yet, not only am I connecting with new friends. I’m grateful for the place I am in my life. Certainly, things are less than perfect, but they are better than they’ve been in a long time. Life is good. Life is full of exciting surprises. We just have to stop and be open to experiencing them.
I’m grateful for the letter I received last week from my Aunt. Perhaps it is the beginning of the rebuilding of a relationship that was deeply damaged more than a decade ago. I have positive hopes, but realize that we will both have to acknowledge differences of opinion, but the past in the past and learn to live in, and focus on the Now.
Here’s my confession: This week I am grateful. There doesn’t have to be any one particular reason for my gratitude, for indeed there are many. I have a home, I have friends, I have pets, I have, in essence, EVERYTHING I could possibly need or want in this life. Learning to stop and appreciate those blessings is a major lesson I have to learn. I know, in my heart of hearts, that all I hold dear could be wiped out in the blink of an eye. I think that makes me more grateful because I know I have so much for which to be grateful.
So, tonight, as I write this, fatigued beyond belief, I do so with a sense of peace and gratitude in my heart and life. The alternative is to whine, bitch and complain, and what good will that do my heart? My soul, my spirit? Absolutely none. Gratitude is my balm of peace. And, if you are part of my life, please know that I’m incredibly grateful for you.
And so, it is, this week, Music for which I am most grateful. Music is the one gift I have in my life for which I am truly grateful I’ve studied music for nearly 20 years, beginning with piano and then moving on to voice and a little bit of organ. I possess a Bachelor of Arts degree in music. I admit that I wasn’t the greatest student of music when I was in college, but as I’ve been working with the church choir and trying to find ways to motivate, educate and encourage the choir’s growth, lessons are coming back to me, little tid-bits of knowledge I thought long ago forgotten. As I gather on Tuesday evenings with my Choral Society, I’m reminded of the great memories I have of being a chorister. Yet, this time, it is different. This time, I’m doing it for fun, not for credit. It’s strange, when I stop and think about the place my musical talents have brought me, the places they are taking me. Music is the one stable in my life. I’m grateful for the place it has in my life, the amazing growth I’ve experienced as a musician over the last two years and the gifts, friendship and peace that music has brought into my life.
I’m grateful to be reconnecting with many of the friends from my past through facebook. What an amazing tool. Yet, not only am I connecting with new friends. I’m grateful for the place I am in my life. Certainly, things are less than perfect, but they are better than they’ve been in a long time. Life is good. Life is full of exciting surprises. We just have to stop and be open to experiencing them.
I’m grateful for the letter I received last week from my Aunt. Perhaps it is the beginning of the rebuilding of a relationship that was deeply damaged more than a decade ago. I have positive hopes, but realize that we will both have to acknowledge differences of opinion, but the past in the past and learn to live in, and focus on the Now.
Here’s my confession: This week I am grateful. There doesn’t have to be any one particular reason for my gratitude, for indeed there are many. I have a home, I have friends, I have pets, I have, in essence, EVERYTHING I could possibly need or want in this life. Learning to stop and appreciate those blessings is a major lesson I have to learn. I know, in my heart of hearts, that all I hold dear could be wiped out in the blink of an eye. I think that makes me more grateful because I know I have so much for which to be grateful.
So, tonight, as I write this, fatigued beyond belief, I do so with a sense of peace and gratitude in my heart and life. The alternative is to whine, bitch and complain, and what good will that do my heart? My soul, my spirit? Absolutely none. Gratitude is my balm of peace. And, if you are part of my life, please know that I’m incredibly grateful for you.
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