Here Comes 2011!

Hurray!! A new year calls for a new look for the blog! I really love it!! Like all of you, I've been thinking of 2010. It's been a great year, but also very rough. I guess that's usually how it goes though, right? I think the theme for 2010 is Firsts...I've learned so many things! Here's a list:



1. I learned how to Snowboard (Had a great teacher!)
2. Snowshoeing
3. I went to my first Passover Meal (pretty Legit and Horseradish really horrible)
4. Disney World!! (Got sweet Hookups!)
5. White Water Rafting...and at Midnight I might add, which made it so beautiful!
6. Canoeing
7. Horseback riding
8. Started my first job teaching Music and it's been great!

Less happy life lessons learned:

9. First experience as an adult (to my knowledge at least) to have been spoken negatively of, criticized, betrayed and deeply hurt by those I considered friends, even close friends I thought would support and sustain me. I was lucky to have gotten this far, in the past I've always had wonderful friends, roommates and people in my life!

10. At first I felt I didn't handle this so gracefully...but a great friend helped me realize that I stood up for myself which takes courage and self respect. They were wrong to treat me as they did. But I am not broken...just a little banged up and now need to smooth out the rough edges.

11. I learned a valuable lesson reading a book the Christmas Sweater. I'd been feeding a storm of bitterness, hate and negativity and in danger of getting lost in it. But I choose to stop feeding it so I can let this experience move me forward to the person I deserve to become...compassionate, wiser, positive and at peace.

So here's to 2011! May it be more positive, full of hope and kindess to all!

I Heard the Bells

Saturday night, I went to a Christmas Concert by an AMAZING choir and orchestra from the Mesa area. It ended with a favorite Christmas song, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day". The way it was arranged was so powerful and I just want to share it (But of course you really just had to be there!)

Can anyone else relate to these words?

And in despair, I bow my head. "There is no peace on earth", I said. "For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men"

I can relate...and felt something similar to the loss of faith in others and ourselves. The orchestra plays the sorrow in your heart with their dissonant chords as the tempo slows down in the minor key. This melody finishes that verse... but then there is a pause. And then you hear one bell. Then another, and another. Eventually there is a chorus of bells ringing of all different pitches. The tempo picks up, back to the major melody and it completely transforms the mood as the choir comes in singing majestically:

Then peeled the Bells more loud and deep, 'God is not dead nor doth He sleep! The wrong shall fail, the right prevail with Peace on Earth, Good Will to men'....

Wow! Like being snatched from the darkness to the light. The truth of these words breathe in hope, life, faith. God is real, He lives and is still involved in our lives, even in this day. I always need reminding it seems, and music is often the only thing that can reach me ☺ Anyway, hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!!!