Several Thoughts on a Sunday

1. When God created the earth, I wonder if He sometimes experimented.

Speaking of the lemon: "Hmmm, this is good, but what would it be like in green?"

2. Speaking of citrus, my little boy loves it! The more tart and sour the better. We gave him a slice of lemon the other day which he immediately stuffed in his mouth. Then he pulled it out and just giggled because the taste was so new. Over and over he licked the lemon and then giggled. Once he'd sucked that slice dry, he reached for another one. Now he'll go to our stash and bring me a lemon or a grapefruit to cut open for him. What a ham!

3. Sundays go so much better, life goes so much better, when I've adequately prepared. Organization - of my time and my space - is not my strong suit and is something that I'm trying to work on. Amazing that I made it through grad school, right? I'm realizing that for most things I have to start preparing MUCH sooner than I would usually start. I'm still pondering and learning. This article from the Ensign has given me much to think about how my physical preparation mirrors my spiritual preparation.

4. I speak differently through a pen and a sheet of paper than I do to a screen and a keyboard. Funny that I should have this epiphany now, but I suppose it's a matter of audience.

5. My little boy does not like the song, "My Heavenly Father Loves Me." Every time I sing it around the house, he breaks down in tears which quickly turn to sobs if I don't stop. I was asked to play a duet with a friend at church for a special musical number. We decided to play a gorgeous arrangement of that song. I was worried that today's number might be a bit rough for him. Turns out my concerns were realized. Brent had to take him out. We used to sing it to him to help him sleep when he was just new. Now he thinks that it means bedtime, and the hysterics begin.

6. So grateful for music in my life. I was honored to participate in the number at church today. I was blessed in my preparation of the number. I was blessed to be able to create something beautiful with someone else and feel our relationship grow. I hope those who heard it could feel the testimony in our hearts that we endeavored to share, and that I was not the only one who left strengthened.

And just one more because he's just so darn cute.

A Little e. e. cummings

i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun's birthday; this is the birth
day of life and of love and wings: and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any--lifted from the no
of all nothing--human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

Confession

I know I should like, or at least tolerate Pachabel's Canon in D. I've tried to love it, honestly, I have. In fact, when I was younger, there was a point in my life when I could have said that it was among my favorite songs. That all changed when I became a cellist. And had to play that blasted song at a wedding. Cellists do not like Canon in D. It's torture. Pure agony. I know of cellists who invent ways to keep themselves engaged in the song - including eating a banana while playing, and switching hands. I have a feeling that if I ever go mad, it will feel just like being stuck in a never-ending loop of Canon in D. Pandora actually had the audacity to try to sneak that one into my Bach playlist not once, but twice today. Disgusting.

It feels so good to finally get that off my chest.

A Beautiful Day

Today was a truly beautiful day! I woke up happy, with a light heart. I knew that there wasn't any reason for me to be feeling like that - especially when I looked at my list of unaccomplished tasks. But, then again, there wasn't any reason for me to NOT feel like that. Fresh and new, unencumbered. It was glorious!

I've been reflecting lately on a lesson I learned a little over a decade ago from one of the most dynamic women I've ever met in my life. Dr. Lynn Bielefelt was the conductor of the Arizona All-State Choir in 2000. I didn't get to spend much time with her, in the grand scope of things, but she was one of those people who leaves an indelible impact on you, regardless of the time spent. While I didn't know her well, I still felt loss upon learning that she had lost her long fight with cancer not even a whole year after our All-State experience. She was like a flame that burned as brightly as it could - a short, but intense flame that radiated energy.

It's funny now, that the things that she taught that have stuck with me, resounding in my skull these last couple of weeks, have nothing to do with music. Rather, they have to do with having a fabulous day. She said that every morning, when she first woke up she would stretch all her muscles until they were loose and happy. And then she would drink one full glass of water. I think she also mentioned spending some time meditating, mentally preparing for the day. Then, she could proceed with her daily affairs and be sure to have a wonderful day.

While I might not have taken her advice right there on the spot, it's stuck with me. In recent months, I've taken stock of myself, my life. I've realized that there are several course corrections that I need to take. They may not be drastic, but if I don't make them now, I will end up somewhere entirely apart from where I wanted to go.

So, I'm stretching first thing in the morning. I'm drinking a large glass of water before I do anything else. And of course, I'm taking time to meditate, to pray, to prepare for the day. I think it's amazing how much of making goals and keeping them is mental. It's deciding that you can do what you've set out to do. It must be working because today was a beautiful day.