Attitude of Gratitude (Part 3)

As November ends, here is my final list of things for which I am most thankful.

• Hugs from the Geriatrics. Since I don't get them very often, they are more and more precious.
• Finally getting to interact with Jack-Jack for a few hours. It's amazing how quickly children will play with you after bribing them with chocolate chip cookies. (I promise this experience was not as creepy as that sentence sounds!)
• Texting with a far away friend. I love getting to catch up with you and laugh at each other. So glad you have been in my life for so many years.
• Memphis barbecue! Sorry, Texas, but yours just doesn't compare in my completely biased opinion.
• The sound of Mom's laughter when she finds something extremely funny.
• Good friends to help when I'm inept.
• Early bed times!
• Restaurant gift cards. Such a great excuse to try something new.

Attitude of Gratitude (Part III)

In this Thanksgiving week, I continue to be reminded of just how blessed I am by things big and small.

• Home! It's wonderful to have a place to return for rest, family, and unconditional love. I'm looking forward to spending a quiet few days back in Arkansas with those I love.
• Healthy aging parents. Dad turned 80 a few days ago. I'm blessed to have both of my parents with me and still in relatively good health.
• God's Word. What a treasure to have these powerful words in my hands daily. They are life. They are comfort. They are rest.
• Colleagues. I am continually reminded of what a great group of people I get to serve with at WBU. It's much more than just a job. These people are my friends and musical family.
• Massage chairs. I especially needed 30 minutes in the chair between recitals.
• Wireless headphones. I've needed a pair for a while and finally splurged on myself. What a difference they made!
• Affirmation. It's always nice to be reminded in subtle ways that I'm making a difference and that God continues to actively use me to touch others.
• Donuts! More than just the yummy squares of dough and cake, I treasure the laughter and moments of encouragement that occur as I share these nuggets of goodness with others. I'm already looking forward to next week's adventure.

Attitude of Gratitude (Part II)

Here are the things that I am particularly grateful for this week.

• Successful performances - I love what I get to do for a living, but the preparation for recitals can sometimes be stressful. I'm always thankful when the preparation results in successful presentations of beautiful music.
• Cooler weather!
• Presidential election results. I'm just going to leave it at that simple statement.
• Time on the couch. It's so nice to have some time to come home, change into comfortable clothes, and just plop on the couch for a bit to unwind.
• Good books!
• Ice cream. Even the worst of days are made better with a frozen treat.
• Relief from pain. I don't deal with a lot of pain, but when I do, I'm reminded how blessed I am to not face chronic suffering on a daily basis. I'm also thankful for my chiropractor who listens to my ailments and helps me get relief.

An Attitude of Gratitude

November is typically when people begin to list the many things that they are thankful for. I'm participating in the month of thankfulness as well. However, this year I've decided that private reflection on the blessings in my life is how I want to spend my daily moments of thanksgiving. I don't want to fall into the trap of carefully crafting my words for public consumption only instead of expressing authentic praise to God for the good things He has provided. Nevertheless, I do want to publicly acknowledge some of my blessings. That's where this series of blog posts comes in. Each Wednesday in November, I'll be listing a few of the things that I have been thankful for during the week. Sometimes you may notice that an item was repeated from a previous week. Some items may include a brief explanation while others stand alone. Regardless of what they may mean to you -- and whether you fully understand why I'm thankful for certain things -- this will be my way of publicly expressing "An Attitude of Gratitude" to my Heavenly Father for the many blessings He daily bestows on me.

This week, I'm thankful for...

• The wonderful people that fill my life
• Laughter
• Traveling mercies -- I've spent too many years behind the wheel of my car to ever take safe travels for granted!
• Music
• Good food
• Rest
• Love

 

We Gather Together....

This morning, my heart is filled with thankfulness. What am I so thankful for, you ask? Let me give you a brief list.....

• a job I love
• colleagues that make me smile
• health
• rest
• happiness

But most of all, I'm thankful for family. As this post is going live, I am high in the air making my way back to Arkansas for a few days of rest as my family gathers to celebrate Thanksgiving together. It's been over 3 months since we have been together -- and that's a lot longer apart than we are used to -- so we're all very anxious to be together again. I'm sure we will laugh about the continuing adventures of the patients in the Geriatric Ward and will make plans for our extended time together next month. Despite the quick trip and the busy pace that is part of Thanksgiving in Arkansas, I am looking forward to spending time shut off from technology and responsibilities for a few days. I'll return on Monday morning with more tales of how things are going as I continue Livin' Life.

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!

Saying Thanks

The past few weeks have driven home the fact that sometimes words are insufficient. As Dad's recovery in the hospital appeared to begin winding down, my family and I reflected on the many expressions of kindness we had received from friends. We were overwhelmed by the compassionate care we received from the exceptional doctors and nurses. I found myself wanting to express my sincere gratitude to everyone, but somehow the mere words "thank you" seemed so insufficient.

Sending cards seemed to be the best solution I could find to come close to expressing myself. There's just something about the process of selecting a card and taking the few moments needed to put thoughts and emotions on paper that communicate your sincere feelings. Even though the words still fall short, the activity begins to express appreciation. My only regret is that it is simply impossible to contact every single individual that has positively impacted my family.

As I wrote my notes to friends, I found myself wondering why I only send cards when life's "big" events hit. Not only do the messages tell others what's on my heart, but they also become a type of prayer of thankfulness and blessing on the people I'm writing. Can you imagine the effect a card might have on a friend who receives it "just because"? Email is a quicker method of communication. Facebook and Twitter are much easier. Still, there's a special feeling we get when we receive a hand written message by snail mail. It required some effort. It took some time. It says "I am special."

What name just crossed your mind? Stop what you're doing and send them a card today. Tell them you are thinking about them.....I'm sure it will brighten their day!

Thankfuls - Part 3

This is the final installment in my series of posts about what I am thankful for this year.

21.  Movie nights with Mom. I don't take the time that I have with parents for granted. They are growing older and I know that they won't be with me forever. It's been wonderful to sit with Mom at the end of long days and watch Christmas movies. The laughter and sharing has been a blessing.

22.  Heat! When I walked into a chilly hotel room this week, I was reminded of how blessed I am to have the ability to move a switch to warm the air quickly.  So many in our world don't have that privilege.  I can't imagine the difficulty of trying to sleep when I was cold.

23.  Getting to sleep in!  This guy is not a morning person at all. I can function if I need to, but I prefer to stay in bed for an hour or so after waking. When I have a day to just casually lounge in bed, I take full advantage of it.

24.  Break time. Life is busy and there is so much that needs to be done in the course of the day. I'm thankful for those small breaks that appear to allow me to rest and get my mind together before finishing out the rest of my responsibilities.

25.  Colors.  I love vivid colors. The world would be much less interesting without the brilliance of reds, yellows, blues, and ORANGES!

26.  Pillows. Give me a pile of pillows to crash into and I'm a happy camper.

27.  Jesus.  He is my everything, my source of all hope, and the reason for my song.

Thankfuls - Part II

I want to continue in my month of thanksgiving. Here are the things that have been on my heart this week.

#11. Sweater Season. Even though I'm not incredibly fond of cold weather, I do enjoy getting to pull out my sweaters. There's just something cozy and comfy about wearing them that makes me feel much more relaxed.

#12. Technology. Now that my iPhone, iPad, email, Facebook, and Twitter are parts of my daily life, I can't figure out what I would do without them. I certainly don't HAVE to have them, but it makes life so much easier to stay in touch with those I love and miss.

#13. Scripture. I am falling in love with God's Word more and more each day. It is my source of inspiration, direction and encouragement.

#14. The Gift of Sight. Dealing with a student who is legally blind has reminded me of how blessed I am to have healthy eyes. I think we often take the blessing of being able to see for granted.....as well as all of the things associated with it.

#15. Travel Mercies. I'm always on the road. Whether I'm traveling by car or plane, I'm thankful for God's constant protection.

#16. Oceans and Mountains. I'm reminded of God's awesome power every time I watch these majestic parts of creation. They are wonderful examples of His creativity and greatness.

#17. Books. Books are such a special part of my life every day. I can't imagine a day without them.

#18. Humor. If I didn't have people around me to laugh with, life would be a very boring thing.

#19. Wonderful Pastors. Throughout my life, I've been blessed with Godly men who have guided my spiritual development. As I thought this week about things in my past, I realized how blessed I was to have these men invest in my life. I am so thankful for the influence of men like Jim Hutchins, James Marlow, Greg Goins, Jack Pruitt, Robbie Wier, Rusty Bland, and Clay Hallmark.

#20. Wrapped in Warmth. There's nothing better than the comfort and safety that comes with being wrapped in warmth....whether you're wrapped up in a favorite blanket, a quilt from your grandmother, or a friend's warm embrace. I've had the chance to enjoy all three of these this week and I'm very thankful for each of them.

Posted with Blogsy

Thankfuls - Part I

Now that November is here, social media is exploding with everyone daily mentioning the thing that they are thankful for. I am truly thankful for so many things, but when I try to post my thoughts daily on Facebook, I inevitably miss a day and feel like a clod. So I've decided to post a three part series on my "thankfuls" throughout the month of November. They may not mean much to you, but these are the things that I am thankful for at the moment.

1. Family. I am blessed beyond words with an incredibly close family that stands by me during difficult times while loving me unconditionally. Mom, Dad, O'Neal, Patsy, Carlene, Shane, Jacquelyn, Kristian, and Sara……you mean the world to me and daily are the greatest blessings in my life.  I love you all!
2. Job. Despite all of my complaining about busy schedules and irresponsible students, I love my job. I thrill at the opportunity to educate young people about the joys of music and count it an honor to have the chance to make music with some really talented young musicians.
3. Music. Nothing expresses my heart more than music. When words fail, music speaks for me. It allows me to access a depth of emotion that non-musicians don't realize they are missing. I'm so thankful that my life is grounded in music on a daily basis and never want to take the gift I have been given for granted.
4. Rest. I'm still enjoying a state of rest that began in April of this year. Few really know how desperately the rest was needed; even fewer have witnessed the benefits first hand. I'm not in a perpetual state of rest….but I'm planning on lingering in this state for a little while longer.
5. True friends. There's no way I could begin to name all of you who fall into this category. Some of you I have known for nearly 20 years now. Others have recently become dear to me. You have been roommates, fraternity brothers, collaborative partners, church family and mentors. You push me to be all I can be while reminding me that you value me just the way I am.
6. Worship without Work. After 14 years of service in a local church, it is a weekly blessing to attend church without having responsibilities associated with a paycheck. While I am thankful for the training that I received during my years in ministry, I am also thankful that I am rediscovering the joy of worship as a congregant. (Believe me, I am a GREAT member of the congregation and support the ministry team whenever I possibly can in any way I can.)
7. Health. 2013 has been a bumpy year for me. I found myself in emotional and physical crises. I'm thankful that I am currently enjoying the blessings of health. Until it threatens to disappear, I often take my health for granted. Am I where I want to be? Not at all.  Do I know what I need to do? Certainly.  The issue of time management remains a major obstacle (along with actually getting health insurance…..but that's another story.)
8. Chocolate. There's not a situation that isn't made better by chocolate. When you decide to bless me with chocolate, I prefer milk chocolate…….and the only acceptable fillings are caramel or toffee. (Bring me chocolate and I just might add you to my list of true friends!)
9. Exploration. I love getting to visit new places and meet new people. I'm so thankful that I've had the opportunity to do a little of both this year. Looking forward to doing more in the future.
10. Hope. Things aren't perfect, but I'm hopeful that things will improve. I couldn't say that earlier this summer. Since my hope has been renewed, I find myself breathing a little deeper and realizing that the sun is shining more brightly as I journey through life.

What are you thankful for this week? Whatever it is, take a moment and offer thanks to the One who brings us all good and perfect gifts.

Thankful 6: Freedom

Today I am thankful to live in a country where I am free to practice my religion as I see fit, to speak my mind without fear of retaliation, and to cast my vote for the candidate that I think is best for the job. While I am frustrated on this election evening with the the results, I consider it a privilege to use my constitutional right to choose a leader.

I have disagreed with many friends around the nation regarding issues related to this election. Most have been kind and we have agreed to respectfully disagree. Others have been adamant, intolerant (which they accused me of as well), and generally insulting. My freedom extends to choosing who I want to enter into intelligent dialogue with and who I simply want to ignore and cut loose.  I've made that decision as well and feel very comfortable with it. That's something I certainly do not regret.

I do not agree with many of the policies put forward by the Obama administration. That's my opinion and my prerogative. However, I do honor the office which he holds and will continue to give him the level of respect the office deserves. I will continue to pray for President Obama and for God's grace and mercy to continue cover the nation that I call home.

Thankful 5: Chocolate

Today I am thankful for chocolate. Plain milk chocolate......or filled with peanut butter.....or pretzels.....or in a warm mug. That is all.

Thankful 4: Health

Today, I am thankful for the blessing of health. Although almost every member of my family struggles with a minor (dare I say self-inflicted) health issue due to poor choices over the years, I am thankful that we are mostly in good health. Recent events have reminded me of how quickly it can be taken away.

Over the past few years, both of my parents have faced health issues that frightened my siblings and me. Dad was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1998; earlier this year, Mom experienced issues related to her heart. Thankfully both of them have been given a clean bill of health and we now deal with health issues related to their age and weight -- although not insignificant, these health issues are more expected and manageable.

While having lunch today with my family, my sister made a comment that we could simply look at the table next to us and realize how good we have it. Immediately I knew who was sitting there since I had noticed the family enter the restaurant earlier. Who was at the table? A family of four -- the oldest child, a beautiful young woman confined to a wheelchair. It appeared as though she suffered with Muscular Dystrophy or some similar disease. I cannot imagine the trials this young family has faced nor the fear that each trip to the doctor brings. As I drove home, I found myself deeply thankful for the health of those closest to me and praying for this family I only knew from the restaurant.

I take my health for granted so often. Like many people, I never think that a health crisis will impact my plans. When a health issue arises, I am quick to complain because of the inconvenience it causes me and how unfair it is. If only I would stop and consider how often I am blessed with the gift of health, I think my complaining would be greatly reduced. Beginning today, I intend to be very intentional in noticing the blessing of health and strength this week. May I never take for granted this priceless gift given by a loving Creator.

Thankful 3: Friends

Today, I am thankful for trusted and loyal friends. Some have stood by me for many years through extremely difficult circumstances; other friendships have developed over the past few weeks. It is such a wonderful blessing to know that I have friends who love me unconditionally and are willing to laugh and cry with me.

This week has reminded me of the stability friends bring to my life. During a particularly stressful event, a new friend provided much needed laughter. Another friend came to my defense against false accusations when it would have been easier for him to stand by and say nothing. Obviously I'm quite excited to see some of my closest friends later when I return to the West Coast later this week. Even though we are separated by great distance, the bonds we share remain strong.

It would be impossible to mention all of the people who have impacted my life over the years. In this month of thankfulness, know that you are all in my heart and forever treasured because of who you are and the joy that you have brought into my life.

Thankful 2: Music

It should come as no surprise to most of you, but today I am thankful for music. I don't mean the ability to play music or work in the field (although I am truly thankful for both of these things and will probably share about them later this month). I'm simply thankful that my life has been blessed with the sounds of music to communicate emotions and ideas bigger than me.

What brought on this thankfulness right now? Today has been filled with music. I had the opportunity to share some of my favorite music with students this morning and to rehearse wonderful pieces with young singers all afternoon long. The culmination of my day was performing a wonderful recital this evening. I was struck by the depth of humor, angst, and worship that music can convey. It is such a blessing to explore those emotions (as well as others) whether I am playing, listening, or discussing music.

Throughout the ages, many have considered music a way of communing with a higher power....a way of experiencing a nearness with the God of creation. I am so thankful that this precious mode of worship and self-exploration has become such a vital part of my personal, professional and ministerial life.

Posted with Blogsy

Thankful 1: Rest

Normally I don't participate in the daily challenges that I see online.  Often I think they are rather mundane and annoying. Those that interest me I stumble across after they have been going for sometime. Since it's November 1 and I've struggled with blogging recently (mostly because of lack of time) I decided to make a run at participating in the month of thankfulness this year.

Today, I am thankful for rest. I have experienced extreme levels of exhaustion recently that have effected me physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I was thrilled to finally have a day that had very few scheduled appointments. I slept in this morning (to the incredibly late time of 7:30am) before moving to the couch. I spent the majority of the day sitting right there with the remote in my hand, watching mind-numbing television. Some days I just need to be dumb!

As I write this post, I still feel tired and sore in body.  Emotionally, I continue to feel somewhat overwhelmed. Still, I am thankful for the time of rest that I experienced today. Even when our rest periods don't allow us to completely recover, they do provide hope that better days are ahead. I anticipate next week to be some of those better days when I return to California for a short-term work project....and hopefully some time for play and relaxation!

Spiritually, I am clinging to the truth found in Isaiah 40:29-31:  "He gives strength to those who are tired.  He gives power to those who are weak.  Even young people become worn out and get tired.  Even the best of them trip and fall.  But those who trust in the Lord will receive new strength.  They will fly as high as eagles.  They will run and not get tired.  They will walk and not grow weak."