I think it really is true that "music soothes the savage beast". I'm not sure where that phrase comes from, but I do believe it is true. Since I was a teenager facing all of the trials and emotions of those tumultuous years music has been something that has spoke to my soul and it did again tonight
I am so blessed to live in a community that has music available every night of the year. Plus it is available not at just one location but three. AND it is free!!!!
I love music. It truly does speak to my soul. I remember when I was a teen my mother used to say she could always tell what my mood was by what music was coming out of my room and that if it was "A Night on Bald Mountain" beware! I also will never forget one night crying my eyes out and feeling that I had no friends and so alone. My father came into my room and told me his song for me was "You'll Never Walk Alone". Yes music has always played a large part in my emotional life.
Tonight I spent the evening with some friends at one of our town squares. We went to hear the music of a band called "3 For the Road". A group 3 guys who meet at our Beatlemanic club and decided to fulfill a life long dream of being in a band. How wonderful to fulfill a dream.AND how wonderful to bring music into the lives of others.
As I listened to their music I covered the range of emotions from sadness to euphoria. Sadness and loneliness at the words of the love songs and euphoria at the songs of celebration and hope. I closed my eyes and while feeling alone also cherished the thoughts that even for me love would one day once again be a reality. I swayed and sang along with the melodies and yes even danced when there was a line dance I knew the steps to.
I love music! It does indeed soothe the savage beast that crouches in my soul.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
CORRECT FOCUS
From today's devotional reading:
I continue to be amazed that my devotional readings so often seem to be specifically meant for me at the and show up just when I need them. This today is a keeper. It goes right along with the idea that the past can never be recovered so don't live there. Live in the moments of today. Remember today is called the present!
I also need to remember that my word for 2013 is MOVEMENT. My movement will be forward not back!
"It's not what we've lost which is what is important, but what we have left."
I continue to be amazed that my devotional readings so often seem to be specifically meant for me at the and show up just when I need them. This today is a keeper. It goes right along with the idea that the past can never be recovered so don't live there. Live in the moments of today. Remember today is called the present!
I also need to remember that my word for 2013 is MOVEMENT. My movement will be forward not back!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
MORE ON ACCEPTANCE
Acceptance seems to be a theme for me at the moment. I have a devotional book I read every morning before getting out of bed. I use it to help me focus on what is important for the coming day. This morning the reading stated:
"Don't waste energy regretting the way things are or thinking of what might have been. Start at the present moment--accepting things exactly as they are--and search for MY way in the midst of those circumstances."
The "My" is Jesus. Yes this mornings reading was I think just meant for me. I still struggle with acceptance of where I am in life. I love FL and I do not regret moving down here. In my heart I know it was the correct move for me, but.....there always seem to be buts.....I need to give up the buts and move fully forward into my future.
Monday, January 21, 2013
RESIGNATION vs.ACCEPTANCE
I'm again reading and finding thoughts I want to remember and be able to refer to. This time the book is Beyond Our Selves by Catherine Marshall. I found this book buried on my bookshelf. It was recommended reading in another book I am using a a daily devotional. I knew I had purchased the book a very long time ago when I saw not only how it had yellowed but that it was priced at $1.50!!!!!
The chapter I read this morning was titled; The Prayer of Relinquishment. From its title I knew it was going to be an interesting read. Relinquishment is not something I find easy. Often I think I am relinquishing something when in fact I am still holding on to a controlling thread or hope of what I want.Part of what Catherine Marshall wrote about here is the difference between resignation and acceptance. I think often I find myself being resigned to a situation or outcome rather than being accepting of it. Here is some of what she says:
"Acceptance is creative, resignation is sterile....Resignation is barren of faith in the love of God. It says 'Grievous circumstances have come to me. There is no escaping them....So I'll just resign myself to what apparently is the will of God; I'll even try to make a virtue out of patient submission.'
So resignation lies down quietly in the dust of the universe from which God seems to have fled, and the door of Hope swings shut.
But turn the coin over. Acceptance says, 'I trust the good will, the love of my God....I know He means to make all things work together for the good, I consent to this present situation with hope for what the future will bring.' Thus acceptance leaves the door of hope wide open to God's creative plan."
At the heart of Faith is not resignation in what is happening in our life but true acceptance that God will take what ever life brings us and make it not only good but better than we can ever even dream of hoping for. This is giving over the control of our own life to the hands of God.
The chapter I read this morning was titled; The Prayer of Relinquishment. From its title I knew it was going to be an interesting read. Relinquishment is not something I find easy. Often I think I am relinquishing something when in fact I am still holding on to a controlling thread or hope of what I want.Part of what Catherine Marshall wrote about here is the difference between resignation and acceptance. I think often I find myself being resigned to a situation or outcome rather than being accepting of it. Here is some of what she says:
"Acceptance is creative, resignation is sterile....Resignation is barren of faith in the love of God. It says 'Grievous circumstances have come to me. There is no escaping them....So I'll just resign myself to what apparently is the will of God; I'll even try to make a virtue out of patient submission.'
So resignation lies down quietly in the dust of the universe from which God seems to have fled, and the door of Hope swings shut.
But turn the coin over. Acceptance says, 'I trust the good will, the love of my God....I know He means to make all things work together for the good, I consent to this present situation with hope for what the future will bring.' Thus acceptance leaves the door of hope wide open to God's creative plan."
At the heart of Faith is not resignation in what is happening in our life but true acceptance that God will take what ever life brings us and make it not only good but better than we can ever even dream of hoping for. This is giving over the control of our own life to the hands of God.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
ON LIFE AND DEATH
I'm back home after an unexpected trip to Michigan for a family funeral. Funerals are never a fun thing to take part in, but they are a part of life. At some point we all will be involved in one. There is no avoiding them. Part of living is dying. That's just a fact.
What makes family funerals or even those of friends bittersweet is that they often bring people who have been apart back together. That was the case with this funeral. It was for the husband of a cousin of mine. When we were younger the three of us were quite a trio. We did lots together and enjoyed each others company long before any marriages took place. My cousin and I grew up almost more as sisters than cousins. Then in late high school her boyfriend (who later became her husband) joined us, Years went by, children were born, and I moved with my husband to a new state. Eventually the distance of miles took us on different paths and we were no longer close,
I've always felt guilty about letting the friendship lapse, but I guess never enough to do anything about it. We had our own lives and our own problems. In our youth these problems would have been shared and we would have gained strength from each other, but no longer. That is until a death.
I knew I had to go back for the funeral. It didn't matter if the money was not available; a credit card was. It didn't matter if there were meetings and plans that needed to be changed. It didn't matter that we hadn't seen each other in over 6 years. It didn't matter that we hadn't even talked to each other in over 3 years. It didn't matter that I was going from 75 degree sunshine to 30 degree snow showers. I knew I had to go! I had to support my cousin and honor her husbands life. So I went.
Yes it was a time of sadness, but it was also a celebration of love. The love of a brother for his sister; a grandfather for his grandchildren; a father for his children and most of all a husband for his wife. Gil knew what it meant to love and all he loved knew without a doubt that they were loved. I was assured that I was loved as well.
Yes death is a part of life. Though it is the end of life for the one who has died and it changes dramatically the lives of those left behind there can be a positive change. Death causes separation, but it can also bring together. I hope that I have reconnected with family that I have been separated from for too long.
What makes family funerals or even those of friends bittersweet is that they often bring people who have been apart back together. That was the case with this funeral. It was for the husband of a cousin of mine. When we were younger the three of us were quite a trio. We did lots together and enjoyed each others company long before any marriages took place. My cousin and I grew up almost more as sisters than cousins. Then in late high school her boyfriend (who later became her husband) joined us, Years went by, children were born, and I moved with my husband to a new state. Eventually the distance of miles took us on different paths and we were no longer close,
I've always felt guilty about letting the friendship lapse, but I guess never enough to do anything about it. We had our own lives and our own problems. In our youth these problems would have been shared and we would have gained strength from each other, but no longer. That is until a death.
I knew I had to go back for the funeral. It didn't matter if the money was not available; a credit card was. It didn't matter if there were meetings and plans that needed to be changed. It didn't matter that we hadn't seen each other in over 6 years. It didn't matter that we hadn't even talked to each other in over 3 years. It didn't matter that I was going from 75 degree sunshine to 30 degree snow showers. I knew I had to go! I had to support my cousin and honor her husbands life. So I went.
Yes it was a time of sadness, but it was also a celebration of love. The love of a brother for his sister; a grandfather for his grandchildren; a father for his children and most of all a husband for his wife. Gil knew what it meant to love and all he loved knew without a doubt that they were loved. I was assured that I was loved as well.
Yes death is a part of life. Though it is the end of life for the one who has died and it changes dramatically the lives of those left behind there can be a positive change. Death causes separation, but it can also bring together. I hope that I have reconnected with family that I have been separated from for too long.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
UNEXPECTED TURNS
Once again I discover that life will throw unexpected twists and turns. I am in one of those periods right now. Flexibly is a must at this point both mentally and emotionally. I pray God is with all involved and that there will be blessings found in these twists and turns of life.
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
WORD FOR 2013
I have a word for 2013. It is:
MOVEMENT
Hopeful this guiding word will help me a bit with my focus in the new year. It can relate to many things I want to work on this year. It could relate to exercise, finding a new home, finishing projects, travel......the sky is the limit. It is a word that can keep me from getting stuck in a rut of inaction. I can use it also in my crafting in areas like developing techniques or themes that depict motion.
At a minimum if I keep this word in mind I will not find myself in the same place at the end of2013 that I am today on day 2 of 2013. Hopefully all the movement I take part in will be upward and moving forward.
Today I will go for a walk and get moving physically!
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
WELCOME 2013
It's a new year! I always find that with a new year comes hope of new possibilities and new beginnings. I do not make New Year resolutions. Why set myself up for failure from the very first day of the year? That just doesn't make any sense to me. I do how ever like to come up with a list of goals that I plan to work toward meeting in the course of the year. Is there a difference between a resolution and goal? I thing so. For me a resolution is something that can become a straight jacket. Something that MUST be accomplished or failure becomes the end result. I have had enough failure in my life. As I said earlier I don't need to set myself up for more. A goal is somehow softer than a resolution.
Maybe I am just playing a game of semantics, but for me there is an important difference between a goal and a resolution. Making a resolution is committing myself to an end result. Setting a goal is beginning on a journey or a process. Even the fact that I used the terms "making" and "setting" I think is significant. Also I note the use of the words "committing" and "beginning". For me these are also significant.
Over the years I have learned some significant things about myself. One is I have a short attention span when it comes to long term projects. (There are have been a few things I have been committed to on a long term basis, but in the end even some of them have not turned out too well) Also I get distracted and lose focus easily. These are not traits I am necessarily proud of or like in myself, but they are me. I've tried to overcome them and change, but the change never lasts. At best I have tried to learn to live with them and work within their constraints. For these reasons goals work much better for me than resolutions.
So what are some goals I will work on in 2013? I have identified several. The first is one I set out every new year. I usually manage to make some progress on it. The second is one I actually was highly successful with in 2012 and plan to continue hopefully for the rest of my life. The rest are new to the new year.
Maybe I am just playing a game of semantics, but for me there is an important difference between a goal and a resolution. Making a resolution is committing myself to an end result. Setting a goal is beginning on a journey or a process. Even the fact that I used the terms "making" and "setting" I think is significant. Also I note the use of the words "committing" and "beginning". For me these are also significant.
Over the years I have learned some significant things about myself. One is I have a short attention span when it comes to long term projects. (There are have been a few things I have been committed to on a long term basis, but in the end even some of them have not turned out too well) Also I get distracted and lose focus easily. These are not traits I am necessarily proud of or like in myself, but they are me. I've tried to overcome them and change, but the change never lasts. At best I have tried to learn to live with them and work within their constraints. For these reasons goals work much better for me than resolutions.
So what are some goals I will work on in 2013? I have identified several. The first is one I set out every new year. I usually manage to make some progress on it. The second is one I actually was highly successful with in 2012 and plan to continue hopefully for the rest of my life. The rest are new to the new year.
- Work on completing some of the UFO projects that fill my closets.
- Spend the beginning of each day with a devotion and time with God.
- Find a new home for the end of the year.
- Find a means of increasing income in a way that doesn't take away from my enjoyment and contentment in life or find a way to reduce expenses without doing the above.
- Strengthen new friendships being made in FL.
- Maintain my health both physical and mental.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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