GRATITUDE AND TRANSITIONS 10.08.10

GRATITUDE AND TRANSITIONS 10.08.10

As I lie here tonight, I think of the wonder and gratitude I have in my life. If I’m being completely honest, this week, and, well, actually the last few weeks have been wrought with emotions going up and down like a roller coaster. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve paused to do a gratitude blog, and that was quite on purpose. I wanted to give myself a few weeks to really reflect on the gratitude I hold in my heart.

I’ve attempted to write a couple of blogs this week, but when the words failed me, I decided they weren’t ready to be given birth yet. Tonight, I believe I will combine all the emotions, thoughts and words that have been lying dormant. Tonight, I find myself listening to my heart. Tonight, I find myself listening to my spirit, and tonight I write from a place of sincerity and honesty.

I am grateful for the people who mean the most to me, my friends. Were it not for the people who love me so much, and show me their love, not only in words, but through their actions just how loved I am, I don’t know that I would make it. I’ve said so many times I grew up lonely, in a life devoid of close friends. Today, I have a few closely-knit group of friends who are worth more than all the gold in the world, at least in my eyes. Just knowing that someone cares means a lot. Those random text messages, those daily “hey how are you” emails and of course the personal interactions do not go un-noticed.

I’ve been though MANY transitions in the last year of my life. In fact, I’ve been through more transitions than I even care to recount. Yet, through it all, I am grateful for the struggles though which I have successfully come. I’ve changed my residence, I’ve changed jobs, I’ve struggled with friendships. I’ve lost at love. Yet, through each step of the way, I was getting a little stronger. Each set back prepared me for the struggle I would face tomorrow. For that, my heart is grateful.

I’m grateful for my choral ensemble and for the stories that were shared during our introductions on Tuesday evening. Each member brings a richness and a uniqueness to the ensemble. I’m grateful for the beautiful harmonies which were produced on Sunday evening during our Gala concert. There is absolutely no walking away from that concert without a feeling of pride and honor. I’m grateful, too, for the blessings I have experienced this week as a musician. I’m grateful that my hands and my voice can be used bless other people.

Here’s my confession: I’m a work completely in progress. My gratitude extends far beyond the platitudes and triteness of simply saying “thanks”. My gratitude is strong for the simple things in life. It is so easy to take things in this life for granted when they are there on a daily basis. It is my prayer that I seek out the beauty and gratitude in each human experience, and that all the prayers within my heart will show me the way ahead. a