Tag: hope

Music moves the heart and stirs the soul. Remembering Karen Carpenter.

I’m a big music gal who couldn’t narrow my tastes down to a favorite genre if you paid me – or simply asked.

I love all music and my collection has no rhyme or reason. From world music to classical, funk, rock, and decade mixes. Blue grass, Cajun, Christian and soul. Easy listening, big band, Gregorian chant. No matter what the genre, you are guaranteed to find it when you scroll through the countless playlists on my apps – or on my Classic iPod (yes, it exists in my car). There are even remnants of my past on CDs at my parents’ house. Continue reading “Music moves the heart and stirs the soul. Remembering Karen Carpenter.”

Your daily thought, point to ponder and soulful reflection.

Daily thought: Some days are just tough. Not a life altering difficult, but a daily hassle, easily irritable, low feeling day.

Point to ponder: No matter how hard we try, some days we’re just down and out. Sometimes we suppress what we’re feeling because we know someone else is going through much worse. We feel guilty for our despondent mood, yet despite our attempts to quell the feelings, they don’t go away.

Soulful reflection: I’ve often found on those dark days, we are sent a reminder or a sign that all is well. A text from an old friend. A positive reminder that we are on the right track. A small victory or forward progress on a project that we’re invested in.

One of my favorite and most moving songs is “Angels Among Us“, a song I’ve posted in the past, complete with lyrics. It is a song that evokes smiles, and brings forth tears. I’ll be sure to post again at the end of this reflection.

Today was one of those days for me. I am flooded with gratitude, appreciative beyond what words could express, yet still found myself struggling just a bit. From my perspective, I’m privileged and spoiled, not in a rotten way – and may I never feel differently. When one  loses sight of that, they grow entitled and selfish.

As I worked this evening while wallowing in my angst, a text from a friend lit up my phone. It was more than a text – it was filled with friendship, wonderful memories, and genuine love and comfort. The irony was, my friend had no way of knowing how much I needed that tonight. How much that text shifted today’s mood and perspective.

Friend, if you’re reading this post – thank you for brightening my day, and recharging the ‘happy’ in my heart.

On some days, the signs aren’t so obvious. But I guarantee if you pay attention, you’ll find them.

As I close this post, I leave you with the lyrics from a song that holds a special place in my heart. May you share my fondness, and share a smile as you shed that tear.

Angels Among Us 

I was walkin’ home from school on a cold winter day
Took a shortcut through the woods, and I lost my way
It was gettin’ late, and I was scared and alone
But then a kind old man took my hand and led me home
Mama couldn’t see him, but he was standin’ there
And I knew in my heart, he was the answer to my prayers
Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give
To guide us with the light of love
When life held troubled times, and had me down on my knees
There’s always been someone there to come along and comfort me
A kind word from a stranger, to lend a helpin’ hand
A phone call from a friend, just to say I understand
And ain’t it kind of funny that at the dark end of the road
Someone lights the way with just a single ray of hope
Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give
To guide us with the light of love
They wear so many faces; show up in the strangest places
To grace us with their mercy, in our time of need
Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give
To guide us with the light of love
To guide us with the light of love