Signed. Sealed. Delivered?

I signed the contract with a new venue to do another Christmas concert:
* sealed the envelope.
* mailed it....(the old fashioned way.)
* it's been delivered.

That first, big step is done - I have made my choice after months of deliberating and calculating.
I feel like I want to celebrate.
(The official announcement for the Christmas concert is coming soon, so stay tuned.)

It feels done.
But it is not - I have merely been relieved from indecision.
I have not been relieved from the fear and doubt I will face EVERY step of the way.
Nope.
Every time I take the next step, I will be relieved from THAT decision and on to the next one.

So many large and small decisions/steps we make all the time.
Then there is the follow-through.

You want a life-companion.
So you decide together to spend the rest of your lives as one.
You sign the contract.
You say "I Do".
Then what?

Tomorrow you will wake up to the start of a brand new life.
You will learn which of you is a morning person - for real!
Do you like it quiet in the morning or do you like noise...news....music?
Processing differences.

You want to lose weight.
You sign up for weight watchers.
You show up and weigh in.
Then what?

Tomorrow you must decide what to eat.
And the next day.
And the next.
Next week you will have to go back.
You could NOT go back.

Signing the contract is a big step.
Sealing the envelope feels final.
Mailing it - feels like the end, done, the final step.
But it's not.

There will be many more decisions ahead.
Frustration, joy, doubt, courage, fear and perseverance.
Follow-through.
Delivered?

You decide.

Warmth that could melt the North Pole.

"Angel of Wishes" gift from Lisa and Ellen.

Today I was invited to have lunch at the home of a wonderful friend.

The temperatures outside were frigid but what took place at her table gave off enough warmth that I'm sure people at the North Pole could feel the effects.

A precious gift awaited me along with a beautiful poem to celebrate the release of the new CD.

I share it with you.

Bit by bite, blog by blog, day by day a masterpiece

Formed from something very small, but every day would increase

A beautiful thing did unfold, a wondrous sight to behold

But that's not all you had to share, a piece of wisdom was found there

Self-doubt, you said, and fear too, would be a certain enemy

Lack of confidence I'm sure tried to take your bravery

But none of these could set sail, this is what did prevail:

Confidence in what you do and clarity would see you through

What songs of joy! What miracles! In black and white it was told

The message in the heart of Christmas is worth more than precious gold

Concerts will be set in place, more journeys you will have to face

But overall its message true will work in hearts all thanks to you

By Ellen Diehl  

Lisa and Ellen will never know how meaningful it was to have someone pause in the middle of a cold January day and celebrate the completion of my elephant diet and the release of "Portraits of White".

All I can say is, thank you.