Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

"Congratulations Marah!! (Marah and Kevin on Graduation Day at UNC-W)
Hi All! Well, it's been (surprisingly) about 16 days since I last posted. Where on earth did time get to?
I was last talking about gratitude, taking comfort in the little things and "simple abundance." Since that post, we have been super busy, but in a great way. Marah graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington on Saturday, May 10. It was such a wonderful feeling! She, of course, was over the moon. I, of course, was in tears...and all was right with the world.
We still are wondering where the last 4 years have gone. (Never mind the 16 days since my last post!)
Wayne and I couldn't sleep last night, so we got up and headed to Sanford at 3:30 this morning! Now tell me I won't be wondering whose bright idea that was at around 4:00 this afternoon!
It was cool, actually chilly! There was very little traffic and it was fun to ride and talk. We watched the sun come up, I read some inspiring "daily readers" aloud and we just perked along.
Now, I'm having coffee, watching geese go across the neighbor's horse pasture and the horses getting their morning grazes in.
There is a lot to be thankful for this week. Marah has reached a great milestone. We have great friends and loved ones who have celebrated with us and we're ready to BOOT HER OUT INTO THE WORLD! (HA! JOKE!)
On Monday, I did some session work with Mark Teachey on a project for John Golden. There is nothing in the world like a studio session that goes well. We had a blast. John is open-minded and just kind of let's me "have my way" with a song. Mark has such an incredible ear, so he's already finding the next harmony lines for me and it's just amazing fun to "build a song." Because I'm generally singing lead, I always love it when I get to do background vocals on anyone's project! I love the ranges and the challenges to see what I can bring out of myself.
I have found that it's so satisfying to push yourself just a little harder and see what might come of it. The worst that can happen is that I might realize "a limit." However, in singing, so far, so good. I haven't found a stumped place "yet!"
Lots of times, I relate music to life. We often sell ourselves short and don't go that extra mile or push ourselves that extra inch.
Fear is responsible for that most of the time. Nobody likes to fail, so we stay in that "comfort zone." Putting yourself in front of a microphone in a recording environment will humble you quickly! The recording doesn't lie! So, when a note is flat, pitchy or just plain wrong, you have to be able to listen to your producer, accept constructive criticism and get the job done.
Perhaps God can be addressed in that way. He can be a great producer! You have to listen, accept constructive criticism and know that when things happen (good or bad) there is generally a very good reason for it! Banging your head to get your own way gets pretty silly after a while.
I've been reading a book by Carnegie-Mellon professor Randy Pausch. The book is called "The Last Lecture." It's an incredible story in the here and now and how this gentleman is basically living out the final days of his life. He has pancreatic cancer. But, his determination is amazing. It's not a sad story at all...in fact, it's basically simple lessons and his thoughts on getting the very best you can out of life. He refers a lot to "brick walls" and we never know when we will hit one...yet we must go through them.
You can go on You Tube and see the last lecture. It's worth the download and the hour to watch it. This fellow has really been an inspiration to me of late! I have bought copies of his book and given them to Marah, my mom, and well, about anyone who will take one!
There is a common practice among professors to create "a last lecture." Randy Pausch was asked to do his and at the time he did not know he was ill. His first instinct, after learning of his illness was NOT to do the lecture. His wife really didn't want him to and he was very torn. Long story short, he did the lecture after all and it was incredible. He spoke about living out your dreams and how we truly are never too old to dream.
That's something to ponder isn't it? As my daughter begins her journey of fulfilling dreams and learning the meaning of disappointments and the like...(and yes, the disappointments will come!), I find that I am still quite a dreamer myself. There are all kinds of things I want to do and try. As much as I love everything in the music realm, there are other things that fascinate me. Of course, if you have read this blog long enough, you know I'm all about animals too. We can learn so much from them. But, I'm interested in so many other things that could be hobbies or who knows? I might have some latent talent that I had no idea about!
So, think about time, how it flies and how you have used yours. Have you tried new things? Have you tested unknown waters? Taken any chances lately? If not, trying something new just might be the ticket! Milestones in life don't have to stop just because you graduate, start to raise a family, retire, or the normal courses of action in life! Make time count for something!
Even if it's just a class you always wanted to take or a club you might be interested in...give it a go!
And speaking of time, I'll post again in a day or two..."when I'm older!" ARGH! I think I smell a birthday around the corner for me! And that's a great thing!
Till next time,
Annie

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