Where Does the Music Go?

When Kathy Lee was a little girl she asked her dad, "Daddy. Where did the music go?"
He answered, "Sweetheart, you've got to learn to make your own music."

My thoughts...

Life does not come to me. I must go to it.

First and foremost, I must take care of myself or there will be opportunities I will miss, and will forever shape my life whether I am aware of it or not.

Secondly, there will be many times that I will have to create those opportunities for myself. I must first "create the music" of my life by finding myself, taking care of myself, and truly knowing who I am. And, letting others do the same for themselves.

Then, and only then will the music become apparent to me, others around me, and the world at large.

And, music is a wonderful balance between "noise" and the quiet between the notes. As the music lives and grows in me, I am aware of the importance of the quiet to foster my own development as a human being.

None of us is the entire symphony rolled up in one. We all play a part. And, when we are missing from the stage for various reasons, the songs change and the music is not the same---the melody is not as sweet as it could be.

And, each of us has a song in our heart, something to contribute unique to others' gifts. And it's beautiful in its own way.

Wanting another's life or body or dream job, wanting a relationship to fill a void or to take care of someone else more than we take care of ourselves or to make us "whole" (other half theory) -or- just wanting something that's out of reach for us is minimizing and making light of what our song is right now and the music dies off a little when we aren't courageous to add our voice, our notes to the greater stage.

As we grow, mature, learn, live, love and grow, our contribution to the stage changes, flows more eloquently, and we (ourselves and others) are changed for the experience.

The music is not something on the radio or stuck inside a computer or a CD. It is us, together with our many varied faces, bodies, attitudes, beliefs, strengths, weaknesses, prejudices, and life experiences. It is tragedies, successes, heartaches, love, joy, happiness, and pain.

And it surely doesn't come to us...it is us. I must be willing to let go of expectations, desires, and wants and flow with what comes next. Come what may, if I am willing, the music will never die.

And, it is ever wonderful to know that as I focus on my own heart and the truth that I find, the music is just there. When I was lost, it was there waiting for me to get "found". When I was sad, it was quieted but still beating madly inside of me...reminding me of the beauty that is me.

I have been to many concerts and symphonies in my life so far. No music is as beautiful, poignant or touching as what I have experienced when I am in the presence of one or many true friends. Friendship in itself is a musical experience. It speaks to our hearts and the deepest parts of who we are...and we are forever changed by the love that we find.

Music, friendship, love...is life. It is breath; it is what we long for with each new day.

And, your daddy was right, Kathy. It is up to you. It truly is...up to each of us...

It's in every one of us...we are all beautiful in our own way. And so the world keeps spinning more and more confidently as we realize the truth about ourselves, little by little each day.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=it's+in+every+one+of+us&mid=6EA9991DC6FD47EF072D6EA9991DC6FD47EF072D&view=detail&FORM=VIRE4

The Simple Act of Breathing

I have never had trouble breathing in my life and let me tell you, it is a very scary experience.

I didn't put the pieces together until later as I had lived in such stress for so long that I just thought my life was somehow "normal".

The problem for me very simply was I wasn't speaking or sharing any of my life experiences with others in their entirety. I was giving bits and pieces to some but never the whole story. Luckily, for me, I have friends who want to know the "whole" story.

The stress of living this way eventually led me to have periods where I honestly could not relax enough to breathe. Yikes!

It is such a simple thing to do---breathe in and out awhile. Sometimes though, not so easy to do given life circumstances. 

The other trouble of not telling the whole story to others is that it intensifies the desperation of the situation and makes things seem so hopeless. I honestly did not know I was harboring a secret about the elephant in my living room until I was able to catch my breath and speak. And I was ready in my own time. Thankfully, for me, it wasn't too late for a new beginning, a fresh start.

Breathing. I don't take it for granted anymore. I take better care of myself physically to foster that ability to take that deep, relaxing breath---in and out awhile. And, when I have some moments to relax and just be, I practice breathing and letting go of any expectations I have of life right here, right now...and that I have all I need in this moment.

I am not at my goal weight. Sometimes I really don't like my employment. I don't spend enough time with my children. And the list goes on and on...and includes breathing and taking steps one at a time as they appear to me and when I am ready to do so.

An Introduction

I had not been breathing or living right for some time. Distracted by what I could do for others and caught up in the fast pace of life, I forgot about my own heart and what I wanted and needed. I needed so desperately to slow down and catch my breath, but didn't know how to do just that.

There were times when I was under so much stress that I had forgotten how to relax and breathe in and out awhile. My heart raced, my blood pressure soared, and I didn't know what to do.

Not only was I having trouble breathing, I was also having troubles telling people what was on my heart. It was a very lonely road. This blog will be about how I found my way back to possibility. It wasn't just one event, but a series of events that helped me realize I had choices. There was still hope.

Now, most of the time it still helps me to get outside in the open air and breathe in and out awhile no matter the weather. I don't have the anxiety I had in years past after finally mustering up the courage to figure out what I could change and what was out of my control, and acting on that knowledge.

Conscious breathing was the first step. Breathe in and out awhile. Do nothing else for a minute or two. Add more time as needed. It may take awhile to get used to but I truly love the moments I sit in silence and watch the world spin. Listen to your heart. Sit awhile in wonder and see where it takes you.