"The Elephant Diet" Day # 86 Couldn't say it better

I've been working on a song this week for a little girl with a permanent disability.  I do this from time to time for an organization called Songs of Love.  It has been a wonderful opportunity artistically.

Many times the child would list their favorite music artist so I could try to write in that genre.  The two names that showed up the most were Taylor Swift and Hannah Montana.  I began listening to the music of these two artists so that I could emmulate their style for the sake of the child that requested a song, as much as is possible with my little home studio.

Yesterday as I was walking, I pulled up a song of Miley's (Hannah Montana) on my iphone.  I've always liked this song, but when I listened again from the view that I have right now with this dream of a Christmas show, I couldn't believe how much I felt like someone has been reading my mind.

I couldn't say it any better.

The Climb

 I can almost see it

That dream I am dreaming

But there's a voice inside my head saying

"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking

Every move I make feels

Lost with no direction

My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying

Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain

I'm always gonna wanna make it move

Always gonna be a uphill battle

Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there

Ain't about what's waiting on the other side

It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing

The chances I'm taking

Sometimes might knock me down

But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it

But these are the moments that

I'm gonna remember most, yeah

Just gotta keep going

And I, I got to be strong

Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain

I'm always gonna wanna make it move

Always gonna be a uphill battle

Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there

Ain't about what's waiting on the other side

It's the climb, yeah!

Keep on moving, keep climbing

Keep the faith, baby

It's all about, it's all about the climb

Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa

Songwriter(s): Jon Mabe

Copyright: Stage Three Music Publishing Limited

Listen the "The Climb"

Check out "Songs of Love"

"The Elephant Diet" Day # 85 "Daffodils and Daydreams"

As you can see, the daffodils in my front yard have finally opened up their faces to me. They've been wanting to for days, but it's been too cold.

While they are blooming, I am dreaming.

I made contact with the tech director at Live at Rose Lehrman today and I am thrilled to know that their prices are extremely affordable. I had braced myself for a large fee, but it's completely possible!

Next step is to consider dates and then tour the facility and talk contract if that's the venue I decide to use.

Time to go for an afternoon walk and then head to the Maundy Thursday service at my church. I will enjoy the luscious tones of cello, flute, oboe and french horn, accompanied by your's truly on the grand piano. I am a blessed musician!

# 21 Gratefulness!

Have you ever considered keeping a gratitude journal? In this episode, I share excerpts from my gratitude journal.  It's helping to change the way I think!  

Check out this episode!

"The Elephant Diet" Day # 84 The Rose

I met with the sound company today!  It actually happened.

It helps that he came highly recommended by someone I trust.  His top suggestion?   The Rose at Lehrman, located near the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, on the campus of Harrisburg Area Community College.

What do you think? Let me know fans.  Would you come to a show located in Harrisburg, PA...right off of I-81?

 Take a closer look here.

"The Elephant Diet" Day # 83 Magnets?

I heard a woman over the weekend make a comment about a show she recently attended a show at the Luhrs Center (a venue I'm considering for my show).  She had a wonderful time - it was obvious.

My heart fluttered at this comment.  I wanted to pull her aside and ask her so many things.

• What show did you see?
• Why was it so wonderful?
• How much did you pay?
• Was it worth that ticket?
• Would you take a friend and go see it again?
• Why?

Of course, as you might have guessed, was thinking about my own show and how much I want to come up with one that really touches people. I want them to laugh, have a great time and walk away feeling inspired about the holidays, about hope AND about going to the show again!

It was refreshing to hear her rave about it.  I smiled and went on my way. (she wasn't talking to me - I wasn't part of the conversation).  

Does your heart flutter inside of you sometimes when you hear something or see something?  You can't explain it, but it's like a magnet inside of you that says - "I want to do that too" or "that's exactly what I've been looking for".   It pulls you in and it is definitely an indicator of what you might be intended to pursue.  Like when someone has the courage to step out and do something you've always wanted to do.  It pulls you in, lifts you up, and gives you courage to take some steps of your own.

Just hearing one woman's comments about another show sparked my soul.  It's those little happenings that keep me going.

Tonight, I spent time preparing to meet with the sound company about the show.  We meet tomorrow for coffee.  This will be the third time we've tried to meet.

Here we go!

P.S.  I'm beginning to wonder if Spring is delayed in coming here to PA just to keep reminding me of the beauty of snow and keep me psyched for this Christmas show.  It snowed again all day???

"The Elephant Diet" Day # 82 "This is not a diet"

Yesterday I wasn't able to work on my project.  I worked at the church, had lunch with a friend and then went back to work at the church and later returned for evening rehearsals.

I walked into a sanctuary filled with hand bells, timpani and brass rehearsing a gorgeous arrangement for Easter Sunday.  I am so privileged to work at a church with so many talented people!  In fact, working at this church has given me some new inspiration toward creative projects again that was slowly dying.  But that story is for another day.

I did, however, receive 9 anonymous comments on my blog yesterday.  I have no idea what part of "holes in the sheets" brought out so many other bloggers, but they had nothing to do with anything I wrote.  One of them mentioned exercise tips for people who are dieting (the elephant diet isn't that kind of diet!!!!), but other than that, I'm not sure what topics like biotechnology have to do with my blog.  They left their blog address so I assume I was supposed to check out their blogs.  I have to wonder if these were computer generated responses to bloggers because really......the comments had nothing at all to do with what I wrote.  (I deleted them by the way).

I guess it's the nature of being a blogger.  I'm still navigating my way through this new outlet, but aside from odd comments, I do love what blogging is doing in my life on so many levels.

But today, my one bite was going to be meeting with the sound company to discuss costs and possibilities for the show, but alas, we have to wait until next week.  I am learning to trust that my steps are indeed ordered and that everything will work out as it needs to.  Oh what peace it is to approach things this way.

So for now, I have some big jobs ahead of me - speaking in NY, concerts and worship leading in CO....so for the rest of this day and all of tomorrow, I will give up my elephant diet and focus on the tasks at hand.

I'll be back Monday!

....and oh...I discovered ANOTHER hole in our fitted sheet.  Guess I really need to go get a new one.

"The Elephant Diet" Day # 81 Holes In The Sheets!

I slept on the couch last night.

No, we're not fighting.  I just couldn't sleep. 

I've discovered when that happens, if I get up and move to the couch - just a change in placement seems to help me fall back asleep.

I think I know what my problem was last night.  Not too long ago I discovered a small hole in our fitted sheet.  I put the sheet in the wash and then made sure that the hole was at our feet and not at the top of the bed.  That way I could ignore it and get a few more months use out of it.

That was dumb. 

My foot caught the edge of the hole the other night and I could hear and feel it rip. I cringed.  Every night I've gone to bed knowing it's there but hoping it will miraculously go away if I stay nice and still ALL NIGHT.  (you can see where this is headed)

The problem is, my subconscious mind must be quite aware that it is there and all night long I struggle to keep from making the hole bigger.  I think that was my problem last night.  It ended up disturbing my sleep enough that I got up and went to the couch.

After a lecture from my husband this morning about going to get a new one, I confessed that I don't want to spend the money.  That led to another lecture.  I've somehow adopted the mindset that every penny I spend means I can't spend it on something else.  It's part of the reason I've been able to pursue my dream.  I spend very little on anything so that I'll have money to spend on the music when it's time.....and that philosophy spills over into how I run our household finances. 

As I was walking this afternoon, I realized that the little hole that has now grown big is just like the enemies that keep us from accomplishing our dreams.  They are little things, subconscious thoughts that eat away at our confidence and begin to keep us from 'resting'.  If we just 'ignore' them, maybe they will go away.  But it's a lie.  At some point, they will get caught in our souls and rip until they become out of control.

Holes might be:

• Fear that we'll fail or....succeed
• Fear that we won't have enough money so we hoard every little bit we have and never step out and take risks
• Negative words spoken over us that continue to play over and over (you're too old!......who do you think you are?......Isn't that a little vain?...you'll never be able to do this)
• Depression
• Fatigue

You get the idea.  If these seemingly little holes aren't corrected when they are small, they will eventually tear and become a big problem that will keep us from accomplishing what's in our hearts.  Are they worth losing sleep over?  NO...but if we don't fix 'em, they will get bigger and then we WILL lose sleep.

So not only does this elephant diet keep me focused on the tasks at hand, but it seems to always keep me looking deeper into my soul for the little holes that rip away at my confidence.

On a more task-oriented note:

Bite-size accomplishments so far this week:

• Communication with potential stage manager for the show
• Update received from my producer about CD
• Connection with an image consultant in Nashville for the photo shoot and added her prices into my biz plan sheet for my budget
• Set up a meeting with the sound company for Thursday of this week to gather information
• Participating in a live webinar with my live show producer company tonight