Just Start.

Bulls Head Road—near my house.

It was Monday and I didn't want to go for my daily bike ride. This was a bit unusual since I've come to really enjoy riding my bicycle this summer. The ever-changing landscape and activity of local farms on the little country roads have been an inspiration to me. They fill up my senses—to borrow the lyrics of John Denver, who got the inspiration from riding the ski slopes of Aspen, Colorado. I can totally identify with how nature inspired him to write.

I feel rejuvenated, inspired and creative when I return from my fifteen to twenty mile ride. My body and my mind both benefit from routine exercise.

These are some of the way rigorous exercise helps me prepare for the upcoming Portraits of White Christmas concert:

• Gives better focus when I practice.
• I can remember lyrics more easily.
• I think more creatively about the content of the show.
• I just feel better, period.

Yet, as the season changes (both the weather and my schedule), I have to talk myself into it somedays. It becomes the most busy time of year and I struggle to keep up with it. The very thing I need the most seems to easily fall by the wayside. Isn't that the way it always is?

You might relate to some of the arguments I have within myself:

• Maybe you need a break (but you just had a day of rest on Sunday).
• Just take a nap instead (you don't feel the need to nap when you exercise).
• You can ride another day when you feel like it (but who is to say you'll feel like it tomorrow).
• Missing one day won't hurt (true, but it's easy to miss a second day when you've missed the first day).
• You have too much to do (you'll always have too much to do!).

I've learned two small words that have helped me in just about every facet of life—even exercise.

JUST START.

So in spite of my lethargic self, I hopped on my bike, dressed for the cold windy weather and braved the elements. I had only been riding a minute or two when I remembered why I love this. It's like someone hooks up an IV to my brain and creativity begins to flow. By the time I'm home, I've made a hundred more plans!

As I braved the wind on the back roads, I suddenly came upon a most breathtaking sight; not one rainbow, but two! Look what I would have missed if I had given in to the temptation to stay home.

Beautiful view only miles from my home.

So just in case you're like me and you need a little help—remember these two words: "JUST START". Once you start, the inspiration and motivation usually follow.

What do you want to accomplish these days? Here's a few steps that usually help me:

1) Write down what you want to accomplish.

2) Set a start date or daily appointment.

3) Set a deadline/goal for yourself.

4) Keep a daily log of what you did.

5) Celebrate your accomplishments!

Inside and Outside Edges

There is a language specific to figure skating.  I'm not only learning how to DO it, but how to understand the lingo too.

I am learning about inside and outside edges.  Not only do I have to learn a lot of fancy footwork, but I have to learn how to do it going forward, backward, left, right and now.....on the inside and outside edges.  Oh boy.

Leading worship in Klamath Falls, Oregon

But I've been thinking (another oh boy).  There is something deeper to this than just my skate blades. It has to do with my life.

I was sitting in the Denver, CO airport a week ago, coming home from a conference in Klamath Falls, OR where I was in charge of the music.  As I reflected on my experience, it was glorious in so many ways.  But probably one of the most amazing parts of the experience was feeling a new freedom at the piano and on the stage as I spoke to the ladies gathered.  The first night after I lead worship, I sat down in my seat and realized that something about me has changed and I must contribute it to ice skating, in part.

Now it's not that I think everyone should learn to figure skate.  But here's the thing.  I have been paying more and more attention to my 'inside edges' these past few years.

The inside things.

Like what kind of message is my heart trying to send to my brain?  It's been a rough couple of years and in a desperate need to change how I think, I've started paying more attention to my heart.

My heart has whispered to me over the years a reminder of the childhood love of skating and that I should consider returning it.  So I am.

But learning to skate has been about way more than just the ice.  I'm discovering new freedom and it's showing up in 'outside' ways.....like when I do a concert or lead worship.  I don't know for sure, but I'm sensing it has to do with the fact that it allows me to freely move my body in a type of dance.

Whether dancing was truly not allowed or I just perceived it that way, I lived my life based on my perception of what was not allowed.  It has resulted in feeling inhibited on stage and a bit on the shy side.  Now that I'm skating, I feel allowed to dance, to move, to express myself physically and it is making me feel free all over.

So here is what I think....though I'm not a theologian, philosopher or expert in things of the heart, I can tell you that when you start paying attention to the whispers of your heart, it WILL begin showing up on the outside.

How does this apply to you?  Let me ask you a few questions....

1. Are you curious about something but have never felt free to investigate that curiosity?  (What would it be like to take that art class or go back to school?)

2. Were there things you wanted to do as a kid but were not permitted to for any variety of reasons?

• illness
• we don't have the money for that
• you want to do what?
• no child of mine is going to ________ 
• too much work to be done, no time for frivolity

3.  What kind of activities cause you to lose all sense of time?  (when I'm in the studio working on music, I feel like time moves so much more quickly).

These can all be indicators of something you should look into and consider.  There is something powerful about the transformation that takes place on the outside edge when we pay attention to the inside edge!

"The Elephant Diet" Day # 125 The Mountain (A special announcement)

It was cold and windy, but incredibly beautiful.

It was April in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and I was there to do music for a women's conference, but in my spare time, I went for hikes.

As I was walking, a blog began to form in my mind.  I started taking pictures and video with my iPad and writing this blog in my imagination (it wasn't real handy to hike with an ipad, but I'm so glad I did).  It's a perfect way to make a special announcement.

Click here to view video on youtube.

"The Elephant Diet" Day # 95 The Rockies

As you probably noticed, I took a break from blogging (fasting, I guess you would say).  With a full schedule out in the Rockies of CO, and very poor internet connection in my room out there, it seemed like a good time to rest from everything else going on.

Five hundred women gathered at the YMCA of the Rockies for a weekend of food, snow, mountains, speakers and music.  I got to work with a mostly 'girl band' except for my favorite bass player (Craig) who I was able to take along from PA.  It was a weekend full of many rehearsals and sessions, but I did have time to hike the mountains and.....wow - did it ever fill up my soul.  More highlights will come later.

I arrived home to relatives visiting for a few days.  Whew....what a busy week.

I also had another surprise when I sifted through my mail.  A check for $500.00 toward my christmas show idea was waiting for me.  That's enough to cover the deposit on the venue.  The journey continues.  THANK YOU!

I've been receiving christmas tunes all along this week from my producer.  Tomorrow I hope to have time to listen through them and give my feedback.  It's certainly beginning to sound a lot like Christmas.

Tonight I have a meeting with a very creative colleague who will be helping me sift through all my thoughts and begin to pull out the most important elements I want to happen in my show and in the advertisement of it.  It's just a small step, once again, but that's the way this whole thing is going to happen.

If it weren't for 'one bite at a time' I wouldn't even be this far.

The worship team for the women's' conference in the Rockies

"The Elephant Diet" Day # 73 Five Things

The sun is setting. The fire in the woodstove is heating up and I am curled up under a blanket with a cup of hot tea sitting next to me. The cats are settled in for their evening naps.

I have a long list of things to do yet, but it's been another busy week and I'm feeling rather tired tonight. Taxes, bills, bookwork, starting fires in the shop and in the house to keep us warm since Tom is unable to do much of anything with both of his hands not functioning very well, details for upcoming bookings in NY and CO that needed tending to and doing all the regular things that need done in the course of a week, plus 20 hours at the church.

Is it Friday yet?

I sent another check today toward the recording of the CD. They will be doing 3 songs next week at       Sunset Blvd. Studio.  I'll be able to Skype so I can see and hear what they are doing.

I also made connection with a creative person who is willing to sit down with me and help me come up with ideas for a video about the show.  Progress continues.

I close with 5 things I am grateful for today.

1.  Someone who came to help Tom in his welding shop.  What a blessing!
2.  Chocolate ice cream for dessert tonight with caramel and pecans.
3.  Talking to my mother on the phone tonight.  I haven't been able to reach her all week.  Nice to finally connect.
4.  A night at home by myself.
5.  Hot tea.