Music! Music! Music!

Daily Prompt ~ What role does music play in your life?

I’ve always loved music ~ ever since I was little ~ in fact, the first popular song I learned was American Pie by Don McLean and it was the first record that my parents bought for me.  I played it over and over and still, many years later, I can still sing the lyrics!  I still adore singing although my voice isn’t talented enough for more than a church choir!  Well there was that 6th grade duet with my best friend ~ we sang “I can’t smile without you” in front of the parents and entire school at a Spring Concert.  But that doesn’t stop me from singing in the car, in the shower or anywhere else!  I’ve always been a fan of music as I think it serves so many purposes.  In fact, when I searched for the word music in my blog, a bunch of posts popped up and I realized that I do speak of music often.  I guess in the blog-o-sphere we write about what we like!

Music is a soothing balm to my soul, it’s a revved up optimistic powerhouse that jolts me forward when I need a little push in order to scale mountains of challenges.  It’s the soft, tenderness of being loved by another and of loving another soul with your whole heart.  Music soothes my soul like a huge angelic hug when I need it.  It is the merriment which puts a spring in my step when the doldrums arrive.  It is the rainbow of colors which allows me to enjoy all different types of music according to my mood.  Check out my ipod and you’ll find all sorts of music ~ country, classical, rock and roll, classic rock, ballads, latin, musicals, pop, blues, children’s, piano accompaniment, 1900’s to the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and up to today’s music ~ I could go on and on!  The one type which I’m not fond of is Opera…but if it’s what you have playing and I’m with you, then I can listen to it and enjoy it…but it’s not my first pick!

I took guitar lessons as a kid (classical) but it didn’t last…then I took piano lessons and that did!  I could play and get lost in singing to the music so easily…it was just practicing which I didn’t enjoy!  But then, you have to practice in order to play ~ silly me!

Music to me is like breathing…it’s a part of my everyday and something that I enjoy!

So now let me ask you ~ what role does music play in your life?

Shine On and Sing Along!

xo

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/01/26/daily-prompt-music/

Saturday Books

Happy Saturday to you!  I wasn’t thinking of posting today when as I was perusing my emails, I stumbled upon a deal of the day from Amazon…what caught my eye was the book and then the kindle price…and I just had to quickly share!

My dear sharechair.wordpress.com can help you with getting the kindle app even if you don’t own a kindle…and with lots more technology if you are in fact, looking to understand all the new-fangled gadgets of today!  You can find it at special-ebook-deals-for-kindle-reading-on-a-kindle-or-through-a-kindle-app

So…if you need a book to read…perhaps something to inspire you? 

Here are a few ~ for less than $2!

Happy Reading!

xo

Just click on the book to see more about it!  Enjoy!

I Am…a Challenge….

This morning I am inspired by bloggers LouAnn and also by Cristian ~ both of whom I enjoy following!  Cristian began the whole thing the other day by writing 10 random things about himself without the fanfare of receiving an award ~ simply to let us get to know him a bit better.  who-the-is-cristian-mihai

LouAnn began this morning’s post with her rendition of 10 Random Things, following Cristian’s lead at random-things.

So it got me thinking…of darling Rhonda at help-me-rhonda.com who continues to make me laugh whenever she gets an award with her 7 random things…and I thought, why not?

Why not issue a challenge to us all ~

  A sort of chain letter blog posting to just tell us 10 random things about yourself!

Here are the rules in case this takes off (which I’m praying it will!)

1. Write 5-10 random things about yourself…try to use I AM

2.  Ping/tag whatever it’s called back to this post (or give your url below)

so that we know you are doing it!

3.  Try to keep it going so that we can learn more about our community ~ and expand it!

4.  Let me know what you think of this!

xo

So, here goes nothing! 🙂

1.  I am not a blonde by birth, but I play one in real life!

2.  I am a cat owner (have 2), but I watch the Dog Whisperer all the time.

3.  I am a great caller for take out or reservations as I adore going out to eat and not having to cook!  My best streak was for 2 weeks that I didn’t have to cook for my family ~ granted it was after a surgery and friends brought dinners but still…upon winning the lottery, my first wish will be to get someone else to cook and clean!

4.  I am a spherical thinker which to me means that I live according to my surroundings and constantly think according to that big circle around me ~ my past, my present, my future and all that encompasses the pretend circle which envelopes me as I go through life.

5.  I am in a transitional time in my life having dealt with 3 separate surgeries this year, my father’s death, the fallout from his passing, and the task of picking up the pieces in my life that I want to keep and throwing out that which doesn’t serve me anymore.

6.  I am a firm believer that it’s most important to:  Tell others through my cards how much they mean to me now (so I send a card everyday to someone) before they pass; To enjoy fresh flowers in my home whenever I want instead of by my casket when I’m dead and to connect with others while life is good ~ enjoying the Presents of Presence!

7.  I am very afraid of heights and yet I love to fly.  I yearn to take a helicopter ride and to jump out of a plane one day (Bucket List you know).

8.  I am charming (ahem ~ big smile) which is my way of saying I am quirky (see #7 as a good example)…and I believe that sometimes my hubby wishes I weren’t so darn charming!

9.  I am a people lover ~ I love to get to know others’ stories and I always root for the underdog!

10.  I am working on establishing a community for The Presents of Presence which will be expanding soon…I’d love to include you all just as you’ve included me!

I am excited to read your I AM list as well!

Please feel free to share ~ the more, the merrier!

xo

Hope in the Year of the Dragon

in all things it is better to hope than to despair. —johann wolfgang von goethe

We’ve all had troubles ~ some bigger than others ~ and how we deal with them in the long run ~ makes it a long run.  Know what I mean?  That’s why when I saw this card, I thought it was a good one!  I recently was talking with a new friend I met through blogging who told me that this is the Year of the Dragon.

In researching the Year of the Dragon, I found the following:

Year of the Dragon Overview 

“In a Dragon year, everything is magnified tenfold. And after the rather meat-and-potatoes Metal Rabbit year we just lived through in 2011, we are in for the ride of our lives. Commotion, turmoil and general hullabaloo will characterize the Dragon year ahead. As of January 23, 2012, better get ready to rock and roll — or else crawl under a rock until it’s over.

Think of the Water Dragon year as a 12-month-long, bumpy road with interludes of elaborate and joyful festivity. Fortunes will be made and lost with lightning speed. All events will be charged with a rare intensity. In short, 2012 will be a year of derring-do, hell-raising and exorbitant fun.

Dragon years are favorable for the enterprising and ambitious. If you want to succeed at something major, start early in the Dragon year. Don’t give up. Express yourself openly. Show no fear. In China, it is said that the Dragon year brings luck to those who dare to speak out, to take charge and even to take over.

Dragons are fearless and direct to a fault — but they are not without ruse. They’re clever go-getters who are always in the running for first place. They want to excel at every endeavor. Dragon years, therefore, are propitious for people who have the courage to take risks, to stand fast in the face of danger and hold firmly to their principles. For those among us who are timid and shy, who shrink in the face of challenge and who daren’t speak up for what it is they want, Dragon years can be rigorous and even a little bit frightening at times.

If you are a Fearful Freddy, you won’t need tranquilizers. The Water Dragon won’t charge into your kitchen and grab you by the throat. But the months ahead will be tumultuous, stormy and chock-full of rebellion. Dragons may be despotic, but they’re also benevolent and sentimental. In this coming Dragon year, anyone who’s hurting is going to hoot and holler until they get their fair share.”

Your astrology in the Dragon Year  exclaimed:  “Welcome to 2012, the year of empowerment! Fasten your seat belt because the days ahead are all about accelerated risk-taking and breaking through outmoded paradigms. To thine own self be true — no exceptions! Can you handle it? Of course you can! Just follow the guidance for your Sun sign below and discover how to make the most of all the amazing opportunities ahead. It’s all in the timing, baby!”  See link for more info from this source!

I don’t know about you, but after reading about this Year of the Dragon, I’ve got my lifeline of hope all set!  I’m ready to rumble (storms-a-brewin)  and I’m thinking of going for it!  Heck, after the grasshopper-help experience, I think forward is the only way to leap!

What about you?

Ready to Dragon wrestle with me?

xo

Do you Believe in Magic?

 

Below is a link to one of my favorite songs…and although I’ve not seen Tangled by Disney, this song sets my feet a’tapping and I get a goofy smile on my face every time I hear the beginning chords.  Take a moment and listen…are you smiling yet?

Do You Believe in Magic?

Do you have a song like that?  One that simply makes you smile in that child-like, carefree way and sets your feet and whole body rhythmically tapping to the beat?  It’s like magic when I get that feeling and I want it to continue every time it happens.

And then I started thinking…Brace yourself…I’m thinking…

What if we could keep that childhood magic alive everyday?

What MAGIC could we accomplish if we knew we could be MAGICAL?

Repeat the song…and listen to the lyrics…(see below)…

Do you believe in magic in a young girl’s heart
How the music can free her, whenever it starts
And it’s magic, if the music is groovy
It makes you feel happy like an old-time movie
I’ll tell you about the magic, and it’ll free your soul
But it’s like trying to tell a stranger ’bout rock and roll

If you believe in magic don’t bother to choose
If it’s jug band music or rhythm and blues
Just go and listen it’ll start with a smile
It won’t wipe off your face no matter how hard you try
Your feet start tapping and you can’t seem to find
How you got there, so just blow your mind

If you believe in magic, come along with me
And we’ll dance until morning till there’s just you and me
And maybe, if the music is right
I’ll meet you tomorrow, sort of late at night
And we’ll go dancing, baby, then you’ll see
How the magic’s in the music and the music’s in me

Yeah, do you believe in magic, yeah
Believe in the magic of a young girl’s soul
Believe in the magic of a rock and roll
Believe in the magic that can set you free
Aaahhh, I’m talking ’bout the magic

Do you believe in magic, yeah
Do you believe like I believe
Now do you believe like I believe in magic
Do you believe like I believe
Do you believe like I believe

So the challenge for the week is to see if you can find your THEME song ~ the one that makes you feel MAGICAL!  You can even share mine because it’s so awesome!  See if you can find your song and then play it once a day…take a few minutes to just BE HAPPY and ENJOY a few ME minutes to Revive you, Ignite you and Inspire you to take better care of you!

Let me know how it goes for you…what’s your theme song?  How do you feel MAGICAL?  I’d love to add to my happy song list so please comment!

HAPPY MONDAY TO YOU!

Do you believe like I believe?

Believe in Magic!

xo